When Political Cruelty Becomes Normal: Why Educators Should Pay Attention
by
Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D.
October 25, 2026
I never expected to find myself agreeing with Candace Owens on a matter of
such profound moral importance, but her observation that Republican messaging has gone from "tough on crime to soft on rape" is as perceptive as it is disturbing. Her criticism comes in response to Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's deeply troubling campaign advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Dr. Amy Acton, who has publicly discussed being sexually abused as a child. The advertisement uses Acton's mother to challenge her credibility, despite the painful history surrounding their estrangement. Even Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has condemned the advertisement and called for its withdrawal.
What makes this episode especially reprehensible is the willingness to exploit a woman's childhood trauma for political advantage. What does it say about our political culture when the suffering of a child can be weaponized against the adult she becomes? And what does it say about a political movement that so frequently invokes the protection of children and family values, yet seems increasingly willing to subordinate those very principles to the pursuit of power?
Owens' reference to the Epstein files raises an equally important question about the consistency of our moral outrage. The exploitation and sexual abuse of children should never be matters of partisan convenience. Our concern for victims must not depend on the identities or political affiliations of perpetrators, survivors, or those seeking accountability.
Why address this on a blog devoted to education policy? Because education is never simply about schools, curricula, testing, or funding. It is also about the moral and civic culture we create for our children. Schools are among the institutions charged with protecting young people, recognizing signs of abuse, responding compassionately to trauma, and teaching the ethical responsibilities of democratic citizenship.
Yet these lessons are profoundly undermined when powerful public figures model victim-blaming, dismiss the experiences of survivors, or treat personal suffering as political ammunition. Young people are watching, and they are learning not only from their teachers but also from the conduct of those who govern them.
At stake is something fundamental: whether we are raising children in a society that values empathy, truth, accountability, and human dignity—or one that increasingly rewards cruelty, cynicism, and the ruthless pursuit of political power. This is also why critical media literacy and civic education are indispensable. Students must learn to recognize manipulation, interrogate political narratives, and distinguish legitimate public accountability from calculated humiliation.
We need not agree with Candace Owens on everything—or even very much—to recognize the significance of her criticism. Indeed, when condemnation of such conduct crosses ideological lines, we should pay attention. The dignity of survivors, especially survivors of childhood sexual violence, is not a partisan issue. It is a matter of our collective humanity.
If we cannot agree that the sexual abuse of children should never be minimized, exploited, or turned into a political weapon, what exactly are we teaching the next generation about justice, democracy, and the value of human life?
That, my friends, is very much an education policy question.
The underlying episode is well documented: Ramaswamy acknowledged that his campaign produced the advertisement, Acton's brother publicly corroborated her account of childhood abuse, and Republican Governor Mike DeWine urged the campaign to withdraw it.
Candace Owens on Vivek Ramaswamy's attack ad: Republican messaging since the Epstein files “went from tough on crime to soft on rape”
Owens calls the Ramaswamy campaign ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother a “major blunder”
Published
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CANDACE OWENS (HOST): But today, I just want to discuss the midterms a little bit. They're just around the corner, and the Republican messaging has been exceptional. That's the best way I could put. Exceptional. It stands out. It's different. They're definitely trying something new for sure. I feel like we went from tough on crime to soft on rape or something. That's been the overall messaging since the Epstein files. Major blunder for Vivek Ramaswamy's gubernatorial campaign that I want to discuss, which is kind of the icing on the cake. |
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