He has decided to move on.
On the evening of Monday, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy opted to exit the 2024 presidential race following a less-than-stellar performance in the Iowa caucuses. In a surprising turn of events, Ramaswamy threw his support behind former President Donald Trump, acknowledging the necessity for an “America First” candidate. The Iowa results placed Ramaswamy in the fourth position, trailing behind Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
With a meager 8% of the GOP caucus vote and facing challenges in swaying Republican voters from Trump’s steadfast base, Ramaswamy made the decision to step back from the race. Despite his endeavors to align himself with the MAGA movement, the entrepreneur encountered difficulties in garnering substantial support, particularly among first-time caucusgoers in Iowa.
Ramaswamy’s endorsement of Trump was accompanied by a phone call in which he congratulated the former president on his victory. The 38-year-old entrepreneur emphasized the significance of having an “America First” candidate and pledged his unwavering support for Trump’s presidential bid.
Making his inaugural entry into the political arena in February 2023, Ramaswamy swiftly captured attention by resonating with Republican voters who identified with Trump’s policies and tone. However, as the campaign progressed, Ramaswamy’s rhetoric took on a conspiratorial tone, urging supporters to “wake up” and referencing alleged plots influencing the election.
In the final days leading up to the Iowa caucuses, Trump directly criticized Ramaswamy on Truth Social, accusing him of resorting to “deceitful campaign tricks” and straying from his initial support.
Ramaswamy’s campaign platform encompassed an ambitious agenda to push Trump’s policies even further. He advocated for the shutdown of several government agencies, a significant reduction of federal workers, and the use of the U.S. military to secure borders. His stance on ending birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants sparked debates over the interpretation of the 14th Amendment.
Throughout the campaign, Ramaswamy positioned himself as a challenger to fellow Republican candidates, particularly engaging in verbal sparring with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ambassador Nikki Haley. Despite suggestions from his supporters to pursue the vice presidential slot on Trump’s ticket, Ramaswamy asserted that he was not a “Plan B” person.
Investing millions of dollars into his campaign and conducting numerous public events, including over 300 in Iowa, Ramaswamy’s decision to withdraw marked the conclusion of his ambitious bid for the presidency.
