Indian-American biotech entrepreneur and GOP leader Vivek Ramaswamy on Tuesday announced suspending his 2024 presidential campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump, saying the country needs an America-first patriot in the White House.
After finishing fourth in the Iowa leadoff caucuses, the first contest of the 2024 Republican presidential race, Ramaswamy announced his exit from the White House race.
“This whole campaign is about telling the truth. We did not achieve our goal tonight and we need an America-first patriot in the White House. The people said it loud and clear who they wanted. Tonight I am suspending my campaign and Donald J. I am supporting Trump and will do everything possible to ensure that he is the next US President. I’m so proud of this team, this movement, and our country,” he said in a post on X.
Ramaswami had recently praised Trump as the ‘best president of the 21st century’. He also called to congratulate Trump on his victory in Iowa. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis came in second place, with former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley coming in third.
Meanwhile, Trump, in his victory speech, praised Ramaswamy for his “helluva job”. Born in Ohio to immigrant parents from southern India, Ramaswamy was one of the surprises of the 2024 Republican race and was dominated by the former president. He has now announced his endorsement of Trump and said he would appear with Trump in New Hampshire and suggested that DeSantis and Haley “should follow through” on withdrawing from the race.
However, Ramaswamy had recently taken a tough stance against Trump, claiming that the former president’s legal problems and political enemies made him a weak candidate. Trump attacked Ramaswamy on social media, calling his campaign “fraudulent” and “very sneaky”, the first sign of animosity between them.
Iowa caucus developments speculated that the former president, at age 77 and under multiple criminal indictments, still dominates Republican politics and remains a strong favorite to win the GOP nomination for a third consecutive term.