New Delhi: Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, 38, dropped out of the US presidential race to become the Republican White House nominee after a disappointing fourth placed finish in the Iowa caucuses Monday.
Ramaswamy, who self-funded most of his campaign from his fortunes made in the biotechnology industry, modelled his bid on the ‘America First’ plank of Donald Trump, clinging on to the hope that former president Trump’s legal troubles would force him out of the race.
Ramaswamy positioned himself to be the next logical choice for Trump’s supporters, as reported by the New York Times (NYT).
Ramaswamy’s conspiracy theory-filled, populist campaign saw him rise up to third place in the opinion polls during Republican primaries in August after the first Republican debate, behind Trump and Ronald D. DeSantis, the governor of Florida.
Also read: “You and me vs. extreme MAGA Republicans”: Joe Biden after Trump’s huge win in Iowa
Speaking after the results of the Iowa caucus, Ramaswamy said, “As I have said since the beginning, there are two America First candidates in this race. And earlier tonight I called Donald Trump to tell him that I congratulate him on his victory and now going forward he will have my full endorsement for the president.”
Trump won a landslide victory in the Iowa primary, winning just over 51 per cent of the total votes polled, while DeSantis and Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina finished a distant second and third, as reported by NYT.
Both DeSantis and Haley have been fighting for the second place, with DeSantis winning around 21 per cent of the votes, while Haley was able to win 19 per cent of the total votes cast in the Republican primary.
The result is disappointing for Haley, who in recent weeks has seen a surge in support after strong debate performances, which has seen her campaign gain an infusion of cash, according to Reuters.
Haley has been a focus of Ramaswamy’s attacks on the campaign trail. Ramaswamy has called Haley a “puppet”, aimed at dislodging Trump from the Republican candidacy on social media, while also calling her a Chinese stooge and attacked her daughter for using the Chinese-made application TikTok, during a Republican debate.
The plot is hiding in plain sight: the same people funding the lawsuits & efforts to eliminate Trump are the very ones propping up Nikki. Don’t fall for it. https://t.co/ghEBBsEUXl
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 15, 2024
Yes, I saw President Trump’s Truth Social post. It’s an unfortunate move by his campaign advisors, I don’t think friendly fire is helpful. Donald Trump was the greatest President of the 21st century, and I’m not going to criticize him in response to this late attack.
I’ve met…
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 14, 2024
The Ohio-born Ramaswamy to parents from Southern India has also called for the massive reduction of staff at every federal agency, the pardoning of all “non-violent” 6 January 2021 protestors, who stormed Capitol Hill, and promised to shut down federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the department of education to name a few.
Day 1 Executive Actions:
– Pardon all nonviolent Jan 6 protesters denied due process & federal defendants prosecuted based on political motives – Trump, Assange, Mackey, countless others
– Order 75% headcount reduction in every federal agency & rescind >50% of federal…
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 15, 2024
Out of the 40 delegates that Iowa sends to the Republican National Convention, Trump is estimated to be assigned at least 20, while DeSantis will have at least 8 delegates and Haley 7. Ramaswamy, who appeared on the ballot in Iowa will have at least 3 delegates assigned.
A total of 1,215 delegates are necessary to be elected as the Republican White House nominee at the Republican National Convention to be held in July 2024.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
Also read: Donald Trump wins first Republican presidential contest in Iowa