Revealing Stepfather Sexual Abuse... "Worst Mudslinging Election"

[Anchor]

As forecasts suggest the Republican Party may struggle in the U.S. midterm elections, a political ad from a battleground state has sparked controversy. Despite heavy criticism that it is the worst mudslinging election yet, President Trump has instead defended the advertisement.

Reporting from Washington, here is correspondent Jeon Byeong-nam.

[Reporter]

As Iran-backed Houthi rebels continued their attacks on Saudi Arabia, Brent crude oil prices surpassed 113 dollars per barrel, reaching their highest level since May.

U.S. President Trump claimed via social media that "Iran is doing everything it can to drive up oil prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections."

This is interpreted as an effort to emphasize that Iran is stoking instability in oil transportation, at a time when high international oil prices are acting as a negative factor for the Republicans ahead of the midterms.

He also signed an executive order reducing mortgage insurance premiums to soothe voter frustration over soaring living costs.

However, unfavorable news continues to mount.

In the gubernatorial race in the swing state of Ohio, the campaign of Republican candidate Ramaswamy faced a severe backlash after mobilizing the mother of Democratic candidate Amy Acton in an advertisement.

[Donna Arthur / Amy Acton's Mother (Republican Campaign Ad): I am Amy Acton's mother. As a mother, it is hard to say this, but Amy has serious problems. Amy is a liar. Do not let her become your governor.]

After it became known that candidate Acton suffered abuse, including sexual abuse, from her stepfather during her childhood and was eventually separated from her mother and stepfather at the age of 12, criticisms poured in even from within the Republican Party that they had waged "the worst mudslinging election."

Yet, President Trump came out to defend the ad.

[Donald Trump / U.S. President: It's a video of a mother talking about very bad things about her daughter, and I don't know why that should be hidden. The only problem is the media is piling on and acting like it's a terrible thing.]

A prominent election forecasting organization changed the Ohio gubernatorial race, previously a Republican stronghold, from "toss-up" to "Democrat leaning."

The Washington Post reported that while President Trump attempted to restrict mail-in voting to suppress turnout among Democratic supporters, early voting participation is actually surging nationwide.

(Camera: Park Eun-ha, Video Editing: Jung Yong-hwa)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.