Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has officially withdrawn from the 2024 US presidential race after a lackluster performance in the Iowa Republican caucuses. Despite being a relative newcomer to the political scene when he entered the race in February 2023, Ramaswamy gained attention and support among Republican voters for his strong stance on immigration and his America-first approach. His campaign strategy closely mirrored that of former President Donald Trump, both in terms of tone and policy, aiming to tap into the conservative base that propelled Trump to previous successes.
On the same night, Trump emerged victorious in Iowa, solidifying his frontrunner status for the Republican nomination. Ramaswamy, an Ohio native born to immigrant parents from Kerala, unexpectedly became one of the contenders in a Republican field still dominated by Trump’s reputation.
However, in the days leading up to the Iowa caucuses, the tide turned against Ramaswamy as Trump publicly denounced him, labeling him a “fraud” on his social media platform Truth Social and asserting that a vote for the Indian-American was a vote for the “other side.” In Iowa, Ramaswamy finished fourth, securing approximately 7.7% of the votes.
The Harvard-educated millionaire rose to prominence in right-wing circles with his 2021 bestseller, “Woke, Inc.,” a critical analysis of corporate decisions based on social justice and climate change concerns.
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During debates, Ramaswamy’s fellow Republican presidential hopefuls, including former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (herself of Indian origin), expressed frustration with him. Haley took a jab at him, saying, “Every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber.”
