Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is suspending his campaign and shifting his support to former President Trump after failing to perform well in Monday’s Iowa caucuses, Fox News Digital has confirmed.
Ramthaswamy began his remarks by telling supporters that his campaign was “based on telling the truth not only in easy times but also in difficult times.”
“It is true that we did not achieve the surprise that we wanted to deliver tonight,” Ramaswamy said. “At this time, we are canceling this presidential campaign.”
“Earlier tonight, I called Donald Trump and told him I congratulated him on his victory and now I have his full support for the presidency,” he later said.
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Ramaswamy received about 8% support among caucusgoers, trailing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who finished second and third at about 20%. Trump won more than 50% of the vote, breaking records in the contested caucuses.
Ramaswamy entered the race last February with almost no name recognition, but was joined by several people, including former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former Vice President Mike Pence. He survived by outperforming major Republicans.
Vivek Ramaswamy announced that he is suspending his presidential bid following the results of Monday’s Iowa caucuses. (Mika Green/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
A major focus of his campaign was restoring American identity and his call to destroy the bureaucratic state by drastically reducing the size of the federal government. The 38-year-old also said Republicans wanted candidates with “fresh legs” to contrast him with the 77-year-old Trump, who he regularly declared the “greatest president” of our lifetime. He argued that it was necessary to elect.
The Iowa caucuses didn’t go as planned, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort on Mr. Ramaswamy’s part. His campaign has touted that he has completed two “Full Grassries,” meaning he has visited at least all 99 counties in Iowa. Two degrees. And he held more campaign events than any other candidate running in the Hawkeye State. Billionaire Ramaswamy largely funded his own election campaign.
Trump himself appeared to be intimidated by Ramaswamy in the final stages of the campaign, attacking him on Truth Social within days of the Iowa caucuses.
Vivek Ramaswamy puts ‘friendly fire’ on hold after Trump attack: ‘I’m not going to criticize him’
Ramaswamy was one of former President Trump’s biggest defenders throughout the campaign, attacking the 38-year-old Republican candidate just days before the Iowa caucuses. (Getty Images)
The biotech entrepreneur began gaining attention in conservative circles with the publication of his 2021 book Woke, Inc., which focused on how identity politics and social justice movements have plagued companies. . But he began to gain notoriety for his bombastic performances in Republican debates, sparring with several establishment-leaning Republican candidates, and in particular holding up a notepad against Haley and branding her “corrupt.” It quickly became a meme. on social media.
Ramaswamy asks Supreme Court to overturn Colorado ruling, files brief in support of Trump
Ramaswamy’s rise in the polls throughout 2023 was due to his openness to media appearances, whereas other candidates were more cautious about granting interviews, and his willingness to appear in the media and the size of his platform and how hostile the media was. This may be due to the fact that he almost never says no to invitations, regardless of their purpose.
The young political outsider was widely praised for how he engaged with hostile participants at campaign events on issues such as abortion, climate change and transgender issues. He has often been talked about as a talented communicator. He was also cheered by conservatives for his combative interactions with members of the legacy media.
Ramaswamy became known for his brash style in Republican debates and repeatedly sparred with former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Critics have criticized Mr. Ramaswamy for consistently defending Mr. Trump even in his legal woes and showering him with praise throughout his candidacy, arguing that Mr. Ramaswamy was not Mr. Trump’s de facto surrogate in the campaign. It was even criticized for not doing so. Ramaswamy faced accusations of flipping out on a variety of issues, including his January 6 opinion. Ramaswamy was also heavily targeted by his Republican rivals over his foreign policy positions during the debate.
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Mr. Ramaswamy frequently participated in election campaigns with his wife, Apoorva, a surgeon, and their two young sons. He frequently spoke about how his Hindu faith aligned with the values of the state’s evangelical Christian voters.
Although his White House ambitions were cut short in 2024, many believe Mr. Ramaswamy has a long future in conservative politics, with some even thinking he will land a post in Trump’s cabinet. , some predict that he will run for president again in the not-too-distant future.
