Indian-American tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a multimillionaire and former biotech executive, ended his pursuit of the White House on Monday, backing Donald Trump after his underdog campaign in the Republican Party’s initial nominating contest in Iowa failed to gain significant traction.
Ramaswamy has previously called Trump the “best president of the 21st century” even as he tried to convince Republican voters that they should opt for “fresh legs” and “take our America First agenda to the next level.”
Born in Ohio to parents who immigrated from southern India, the 38-year-old Ramaswamy emerged as a noteworthy figure in the 2024 Republican race, which was largely dominated by former President Trump.His campaign was marked by staunch support for Trump, contributing to his prominence in Republican politics, aided by his youthful appeal, substantial financial resources, and dynamic, assertive campaign style.
However, the dynamics shifted dramatically in the days leading up to the Iowa caucus, with Trump labeling Ramaswamy a “fraud” and suggesting that a vote for him effectively favored the opposition. The Iowa caucuses’ preliminary results placed Ramaswamy fourth, garnering approximately 7.7% of the votes.
Ramaswamy, a Harvard graduate, rose to prominence in conservative circles following the publication of his 2021 bestseller “Woke, Inc”, which criticized corporate strategies centered on social justice and environmental issues. His aggressive approach in debates and focus on the media, particularly social platforms, initially generated buzz but eventually alienated some voters, resulting in a decline in interest by late autumn.
By the end of 2023, his standing in national polls among probable Republican primary voters had dwindled to the lower single digits.
Ramaswamy’s presence in the debates often seemed to exasperate his fellow Republican candidates. In a notable exchange, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley remarked, “Every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber.” Despite this, he attracted some attention, particularly from libertarian groups and tech sector figures, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who reportedly attended a fundraiser for Ramaswamy.
Despite identifying as a libertarian during his college years, Ramaswamy has since adopted decidedly conservative policy stances. His campaign platform included opposition to affirmative action, support for state-level abortion bans after six weeks, and proposals for an expansive presidential power while advocating for the dissolution of several federal agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Education.
(With inputs from agencies)
Ramaswamy has previously called Trump the “best president of the 21st century” even as he tried to convince Republican voters that they should opt for “fresh legs” and “take our America First agenda to the next level.”
Born in Ohio to parents who immigrated from southern India, the 38-year-old Ramaswamy emerged as a noteworthy figure in the 2024 Republican race, which was largely dominated by former President Trump.His campaign was marked by staunch support for Trump, contributing to his prominence in Republican politics, aided by his youthful appeal, substantial financial resources, and dynamic, assertive campaign style.
However, the dynamics shifted dramatically in the days leading up to the Iowa caucus, with Trump labeling Ramaswamy a “fraud” and suggesting that a vote for him effectively favored the opposition. The Iowa caucuses’ preliminary results placed Ramaswamy fourth, garnering approximately 7.7% of the votes.
Ramaswamy, a Harvard graduate, rose to prominence in conservative circles following the publication of his 2021 bestseller “Woke, Inc”, which criticized corporate strategies centered on social justice and environmental issues. His aggressive approach in debates and focus on the media, particularly social platforms, initially generated buzz but eventually alienated some voters, resulting in a decline in interest by late autumn.
By the end of 2023, his standing in national polls among probable Republican primary voters had dwindled to the lower single digits.
Ramaswamy’s presence in the debates often seemed to exasperate his fellow Republican candidates. In a notable exchange, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley remarked, “Every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber.” Despite this, he attracted some attention, particularly from libertarian groups and tech sector figures, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who reportedly attended a fundraiser for Ramaswamy.
Despite identifying as a libertarian during his college years, Ramaswamy has since adopted decidedly conservative policy stances. His campaign platform included opposition to affirmative action, support for state-level abortion bans after six weeks, and proposals for an expansive presidential power while advocating for the dissolution of several federal agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Education.
(With inputs from agencies)