John Legend is calling out Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy over a controversial campaign ad targeting his Democratic opponent, Dr. Amy Acton.
The Grammy-winning singer, 47, criticized the Republican candidate during a campaign rally in Dayton this week, accusing him of siding with an alleged child abuser.
“Vivek Ramaswamy’s desperate, despicable campaign has made some vile attacks against a great public servant, Dr. Amy Acton,” Legend told supporters.
The controversy centers on an advertisement featuring Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who accuses her daughter of lying about her past.
John Legend: "When Vivek Ramaswamy hears of an indicted child abuser who fled the state rather than face charges, instead of siding with the victim, he takes the side of the abuser…Do we want a man with this sort of depraved moral compass to lead our state?" https://t.co/1jhwV7pgMo
— Bulwark Clips (@BulwarkClips) October 27, 2026
Arthur lost custody of her children after her husband, Cledith Arthur, was indicted in connection with the alleged rape of Acton when she was 12. He later fled rather than appear in court.
Legend, who grew up in Springfield, Ohio, questioned Ramaswamy’s judgment during his speech.
“Dayton, do we want Vivek Ramaswamy to be in charge of protecting Ohio’s children?” he asked, prompting the crowd to shout, “No!”
“Do we want a man with this sort of depraved moral compass to lead our state?” he continued.
The advertisement has drawn backlash from both political parties.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine called it “wrong to run this ad,” while President Donald Trump defended the campaign strategy, describing it as “hitting pay dirt.”
Ramaswamy has defended the commercial, insisting, “The irony is they’re lying about an ad that is about lying.”
Legend urged Ohio voters to support Acton as Election Day approaches.