Following a disappointing fourth in Iowa's leadoff caucuses, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy suspended his 2024 Republican presidential candidacy on Monday and supported former President Donald Trump. After knowing he had little chance of winning, Ramaswamy stated, “absent things that we don’t want to see happen in this country.”
The 38-year-old political rookie, who tried to emulate Trump's emergence as a loud, rich outsider, contacted the former president Monday evening to congratulate him on his Iowa win. Second and third were Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Trump “will have my full endorsement for the presidency,” Ramaswamy assured Des Moines hotel supporters. He added: “And I think we’ll do the right thing for this country. I want you to help me advance our America First movement.”
In his victory address minutes earlier, Trump claimed Ramaswamy “did a helluva job” in the campaign. Ramaswamy said he will likely join Trump in New Hampshire Tuesday night and advised DeSantis and Haley to “follow suit” in quitting.
Ramaswamy called Trump “the best president of the 21st century” but criticized most of his opponents throughout the campaign. However, he suggested Republicans choose “fresh legs” while supporting America First.
The strategy, including his demand for “revolution,” propelled Ramaswamy into the running to replace Trump. His withdrawal is the latest proof that the former president, 77 and facing several criminal investigations, still controls Republican politics and is the overwhelming favorite to win the GOP nominee for the third time.
Ramaswamy's loss shows how hard it is for Republicans other than Trump to deviate from party dogma, as the first-time candidate found little political benefit for opposing Israel and Ukraine aid. Ramaswamy indicated he would consider vice president.
He remarked, “I’m not somebody who’s going to speak anyone’s convictions but my own.” I'll consider what's best for the country's future if that's a role I can play as vice president or otherwise. Truth is my top priority