The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump Republican super PAC, released an ad in Ohio and other swing states this morning that takes aim at the president’s ability to lead in moments of national tragedy.
It’s called “How a President Leads” and features clips of former Republican and Democratic presidents speaking to the nation during moments of national tragedy including the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11.
These moments, according to the group, “illustrates how a true president leads in a time of crisis.”
The ad then pivots to President Trump and plays a clip of police in riot gear pushing back protesters while the president promises to “dominate the streets.”
Trump’s comment was made from the Rose Garden about a week after the death of George Floyd, the African American man who died after a Minnesota police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes.
Trump recommended states deploy their national guards to quell the protests that followed Floyd’s death and promised to “deploy the U.S. military and quickly solve the problem” for states that refused.
The group characterizes Trump’s response as a “sorry excuse for honorable leadership.”
The ad ends with images and sound from the presumptive Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Bide
WATCH: How A President Leads Ad
The ad is set to air in Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
A spokesman for the group described the buy as “major” on cable and network television in the Columbus and Cleveland markets.
Republicans had hoped that Ohio would not be a battleground this year, but all major polls show Biden slightly ahead in a state that Trump must win in order to reach 270 electoral votes.
“We can’t afford to take any state for granted in this election,” Executive Director Sarah Lenti said in response to a question about why the group picked the Buckeye State. “Ohio will account for 18 electoral votes, and is neighbor to two key, pivotal states in Michigan and Pennsylvania.”
“How a President Leads” is the latest in a string of rapid-fire attack ads the PAC has released since it was founded in late 2019.
They’ve attacked the president on his health, relationship with China and handling of the coronavirus pandemic.