Ramaswamy probably secured a future place in Republican politics for his youthful demeanor and deep pockets.
- Ramaswamy came in fourth with about 7.7% of the vote in Iowa.
- Republican candidates seemed irritated with him in the debates.
- He gained support among the libertarian crowds and the tech world.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a billionaire biotechnology executive, ended his White House bid on Monday, endorsing Donald Trump after his long-shot bet failed to get enough attention in the first GOP nominating contest in Iowa.
“There is no path for me to be president without things that we don't want to happen in this country. “I'm very concerned about this country,” Ramaswamy told his supporters in Des Moines.
He added that Trump “will have my full support for the presidency.”
Ramaswamy, a 38-year-old born in Ohio to South Indian immigrant parents, was one of the surprises in the 2024 Republican race that has been dominated by former President Trump.
The staunch Trump supporter likely secured a place in Republican politics in the future due to his youthful demeanor, deep pockets and bellicose campaign.
Trump turned on him in the final days before the Iowa caucuses, calling him a “fraud” and claiming that a vote for Ramaswamy was a vote for the “other side.”
However, in his victory speech, Trump took a softer tone toward Ramaswamy, saying, “I also want to congratulate Vivek, because he did a great job.”
Partial results from the Iowa caucuses showed Ramaswamy coming in fourth with about 7.7% of the vote, according to Reuters.
Harvard-educated Ramaswamy gained fame in right-wing circles for his 2021 bestseller “Woke, Inc.,” which criticizes the social justice and climate change strategies of big business.
His debate performances and media attention earned him headlines, but at the same time they turned off some voters. By the end of 2023, his numbers in national opinion polls among likely Republican primary voters were in the single digits.
Ramaswamy, a new Republican candidate, faced criticism from fellow candidates, including former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who said, “Every time I hear you, I feel a little dumber.”
However, he garnered support from libertarian crowds and the tech world, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who attended a fundraiser for him in the fall. This support was reportedly influenced by Tesla's CEO.
