Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy stopped trying to become the Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election on Monday. He gave his support to former President Donald Trump after not doing well in Iowa’s first caucuses.
In an attempt to mimic Trump’s ascent as a brash, well-off outsider, 38-year-old Ramaswamy declared, “As of this moment we are going to suspend this presidential campaign. There’s no path for me to be the next president absent things that we don’t want to see happen in this country.”
He ridiculed his rivals during the campaign while hailing Trump as “the best president of the 21st century.” However, he contended that Republicans ought to choose “fresh legs” and “take our America First agenda to the next level.”
Ramaswamy’s strategy, which included advocating for a “revolution,” positioned him as a contender in the race against Trump or as a viable alternative.
However, his recent decision to withdraw highlights that, despite being 77 years old and facing multiple criminal charges, Trump continues to wield significant influence in Republican politics. Trump remains the clear front-runner for the GOP nomination for the third consecutive time.
Ramaswamy’s unsuccessful bid also underscores the challenges faced by any Republican attempting to deviate from the party’s established beliefs. As a first-time candidate, he received little political support for his stances, such as opposing aid for Israel and Ukraine.
The son of Indian immigrants, Ramaswamy entered politics after amassing considerable wealth in hedge funds and pharmaceutical research.
He built his career while attending Harvard University and Yale Law School. His campaign reflected the same bold approach he used to attract investments, even if the drugs he promoted did not make it to the market.
