US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy after lashing out at an NBC News reporter who questioned his support for a political advertisement involving the estranged mother of Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton.
The confrontation occurred on Friday, October 23, 2026, as Trump spoke to journalists outside the White House before departing for Florida.
NBC correspondent Monica Alba questioned the president about his defence of an advertisement released by Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign. The advertisement features Acton’s biological mother, Donna Arthur, criticising her daughter and urging voters not to elect her.
The controversy centres on Acton’s account of childhood sexual abuse by her stepfather, Cledith Arthur, who was charged with raping her when she was 12 years old in 1978. Court records reportedly document the criminal proceedings, although the allegations should be distinguished from a conviction.
Acton has said her mother sided with her stepfather, contributing to their estrangement.
During the exchange, Alba asked Trump whether the sexual abuse allegations meant nothing to him.
“Wait. Wait, wait, wait. Slow down. Who are you with?” Trump responded.
When the reporter identified herself as an NBC journalist, Trump criticised the network before continuing the exchange.
“One of the worst networks you have,” he said.
As Alba pressed him further, Trump ordered her to be quiet and launched a personal attack.
“Quiet!” he said, before adding, “You’re a horrible little reporter, aren’t you?”
Trump Defends Controversial Advertisement
Rather than condemn the advertisement, Trump defended the decision to feature Acton’s estranged mother, arguing that voters should be allowed to hear her criticism of her daughter.
“A mother is saying, don’t put my daughter there because she’s a terrible person and she’s a liar. Why shouldn’t somebody use that?” Trump argued.
He also suggested that Democrats would use similar material against a political opponent if it were available.
When the reporter raised the circumstances surrounding Acton’s stepfather, Trump said he did not know the details of the case and insisted the controversy was about a mother publicly criticising her daughter.
“I don’t know anything about stepfathers from many, many years ago,” he said.
Trump maintained that the mother’s comments were relevant to the campaign, despite criticism of the advertisement’s use of Acton’s painful family history.
Acton’s Childhood Experience Draws Renewed Attention
The advertisement has attracted criticism because it presents comments from a mother who has been estranged from her daughter for decades amid allegations of childhood abuse.
Acton has previously spoken publicly about her childhood experiences and her separation from her mother. Her campaign has condemned the use of her family history in political advertising.
The dispute has also generated criticism from some political figures, including Republicans who have questioned the campaign’s decision to feature the estranged mother.
The episode has renewed debate about the limits of political campaigning, the treatment of survivors of sexual abuse and the responsibility of public officials when responding to questions about sensitive allegations.
Trump’s confrontation with Alba has also drawn attention to his relationship with the press, particularly his repeated personal attacks on journalists who challenge his statements.
The exchange underscores the tensions surrounding the Ohio gubernatorial race, where campaign tactics and the use of deeply personal family experiences have become central to a wider political controversy.
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