Ramaswamy confirmed after the event that his campaign produced the video, which initially circulated online without a political disclaimer after being tested in a Dynata poll that asked respondents whether Acton was sexually abused and lived in a tent as a child before playing the clip twice. Ramaswamy told reporters Arthur was not compensated and said Acton "has been hiding" from substantive issues and refusing to debate, while campaign spokesperson Connie Luck called Acton a "serial fabulist."
In the ad, Arthur calls her daughter a "liar" and disputes that Acton grew up living in a tent. Court records obtained by National Review and a 1978 rape indictment against Acton's stepfather corroborate Acton's account that she was sexually abused between ages 9 and 12 before Arthur lost custody of Acton and her brother, Philip Stearns. Acton's campaign released a rapid response ad featuring Stearns, who said their mother "stayed married to Amy’s rapist until he died" and accused Ramaswamy of turning childhood sexual abuse into a political talking point.