Former US President Donald Trump hinted at a potential collaboration with his former GOP adversary Vivek Ramaswamy, following the latter’s withdrawal from the presidential race after the Iowa caucuses. Ramaswamy, who had just suspended his campaign, joined Trump at a rally in New Hampshire, endorsing the GOP frontrunner.
At a rally in New Hampshire on Tuesday, former US President Donald Trump hinted at a potential collaboration with his former GOP adversary Vivek Ramaswamy, following the latter’s withdrawal from the presidential race after the Iowa caucuses.
As Ramaswamy concluded his speech, chants of “Veep!” were heard among Trump’s supporters.
Trump praised Ramaswamy, acknowledging his remarkable journey from starting with “zippo” to finishing strong in the political arena. “He’s a fantastic guy. He’s got something that’s very special because he started off with a zippo and he ended up very strong. He did a great job. I was actually surprised when he called because he was doing well. And it’s an honor to have his endorsement, ” Trump remarked. He further added, “He’s going to be working with us and he’ll be working with us for a long time,” eliciting cheers from the crowd.
Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur, responded to Trump’s comments on social media, emphasizing a united, America-First movement. The specifics of Ramaswamy’s potential role, whether in Trump’s campaign or a prospective administration, remain uncertain.
When questioned about the possibility of serving as vice president, Ramaswamy expressed his dedication to serving the country in any capacity, saying, “I want to serve this country any way I can.”
At the rally, Trump sharply criticized Haley, his ex-United Nations ambassador, labeling her a “disaster” on Tuesday. He took issue with her proposals to modify Social Security and Medicare, as well as her suggestion to increase the retirement age.
“We don’t want to do that,” Trump said. “Our seniors shouldn’t have to face that.”
Ramaswamy’s endorsement comes after a less-than-expected performance at the Iowa caucuses, where he secured only 8% of the vote, placing fourth. Meanwhile, Trump achieved a record-breaking 51% support. Other candidates like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley are continuing their campaigns, but Ramaswamy is advocating for unity behind Trump as the general election approaches.
Despite his withdrawal, Ramaswamy’s campaign was notable for its extensive efforts in Iowa, including completing the “Full Grassley” twice, visiting all 99 counties at least twice, and holding more campaign events than any other candidate.
