Pratik Das, Pune
Vivek Ramaswamy, the Indian-American tech entrepreneur and former biotech executive, ended his pursuit to the White House on Monday. Despite his efforts in the Republican Party’s first nominating contest in Iowa, where his underdog campaign failed to gain substantial traction, Ramaswamy decided to withdraw from the presidential race. Acknowledging the lack of a viable path to the presidency, he conveyed to his supporters, “We are going to suspend this presidential campaign,” following a projected fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses. Additionally, he expressed his support for Donald Trump after ending his own pursuit of the presidency.
‘’I called Donald Trump to tell him I congratulate him on his victory. Now going forward he will have my full endorsement for the Presidency and I think we’re going to do the right thing for this country. So, I’m going to ask you to follow me in taking our America First movement to the next level.’’ Ramaswamy said.
Ramaswamy, a 38-year-old Ohio native, born to parents who immigrated from southern India, gained prominence in the 2024 Republican race, largely overshadowed by former President Trump. His campaign stood out for fervent Trump support, supported by a blend of youthfulness, significant financial backing, and a dynamic plus assertive campaign approach.
The dynamics took a sharp turn before the Iowa caucus, as Trump accused Ramaswamy of being a fraud, hinting that supporting him would benefit the opposition. Initial results from the Iowa caucuses positioned Ramaswamy in 4th place, securing around 7.7% of the votes.
After graduating from Harvard, Ramaswamy gained recognition in conservative spheres when his 2021 bestseller “Woke Inc” challenged corporate reliance on social justice and environmental initiatives. While his confrontational debating style and emphasis on media, especially social platforms, initially created excitement, it eventually led to a loss of interest among voters, causing a decline in his popularity by late autumn.
As 2023 concluded, Ramaswamy’s support among potential Republican primary voters plummeted to single-digit percentages in the National Polls. His participation in debates often irked fellow Republican candidates, with former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley notably stating, “Every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber.” Nevertheless, he garnered interest from libertarian circles and figures in the tech sector, such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who actively participated in fundraising events for Ramaswamy.
Although Ramaswamy initially identified as a libertarian in college, his political positions have shifted notably toward conservatism. His campaign agenda comprised stances against affirmative action, endorsement of state-level abortion bans after six weeks, and proposals for increased presidential authority, coupled with advocating for the dismantling of various agencies, like the FBI and the Education department.