Iowa Republican Senate candidate Rep. Ashley Hinson strongly condemned a controversial campaign ad from Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy featuring the estranged mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton. Hinson's criticism placed her at odds with President Donald Trump, who defended the ad just hours before he and Hinson were scheduled to appear together at a rally in Iowa.

The ad in question features Donna Arthur, Amy Acton's mother, making accusations about her daughter's past. Acton has previously spoken publicly about her difficult relationship with her mother, stating she had not spoken to her since she was 12 years old and alleging she was a victim of childhood sexual abuse between the ages of 9 and 12.

In an interview with ABC News' Jonathan Karl, Hinson, a mother herself, expressed her dismay. "I think about it as a mom and you think about your kids surviving childhood sexual abuse and having to relive that trauma on TV again. I think it's absolutely terrible, and I think they should take the ad down," Hinson stated.

Hinson also criticized Vice President JD Vance for defending Ramaswamy and dismissing criticism of the ad. She called Vance's comments "ridiculous" and "absolutely the wrong tone," suggesting it sends the wrong message to voters who want empathetic leaders.

Hinson, a prominent Republican woman running for the Senate, is in a competitive race. If elected, she would become the youngest female Republican senator. President Trump, who has endorsed Hinson, took to social media to defend Ramaswamy's ad, suggesting it was an effective campaign tactic.

Trump's post on his social media platform stated, "Who wouldn't use such an Ad? I would, it's called, 'hitting paydirt.' Frankly, anybody whose mother spoke about a daughter in that way would normally lead to the daughter being precluded from serving in Office, let alone the Office of Governor."

The conflicting stances highlight a potential tension between grassroots sentiment and party leadership as Republicans aim to boost candidates in the final stretch of midterm elections. President Trump was visiting Iowa to support GOP candidates.

Hinson is slated to appear with Trump at a campaign rally in Sioux City, Iowa, on Thursday evening, one of two final rallies the president is holding in the state to support down-ballot Republican candidates.