During the Iowa watch party at the Surety Hotel in downtown Des Moines on Jan. 15, Ramaswamy found himself in a distant fourth place with 7.7 percent of the vote and just three pledged delegates. He trailed far behind former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who came in first, second and third, respectively, with 20, nine and eight pledged delegates.
Given the disappointing results, Ramaswamy accused the media of excluding his name from the results. But then, later on, he acknowledged the setback and announced the suspension of his candidacy.
"I think it is true that we did not achieve the surprise that we wanted to deliver tonight. As of this moment, we are going to suspend this presidential campaign. There is no path for me to be the next president absent things we don't want to see in this country," he declared.
In an unexpected twist, Ramaswamy also revealed that he called Trump to convey his congratulations for the former president's victory and subsequently endorsed him.
"And earlier tonight, I called Donald Trump to tell him that I congratulate him on his victory. And now going forward, he will have my full endorsement for the presidency," he said.
Ramaswamy suggested that his decision to withdraw was in line with the interests of the country. He also claimed that neither Haley nor DeSantis had a viable path to winning the GOP nomination. As part of his support for Trump, the entrepreneur plans to campaign with him in New Hampshire.
Although Trump warned his supporters against wasting their votes on Ramaswamy in the days leading up to the Iowa Caucus, he still spoke positively of the former GOP presidential candidate during his victory celebration on that same day.
Ramaswamy may consider an offer to become vice president
Back in August, Ramaswamy declared that he would decline any offer to become someone else's vice president if he failed to secure the GOP nomination in the 2024 presidential race.
"I’m not interested in a different position in the government. Frankly, I’d drive change through the private sector sooner than becoming number two or three in the federal government," he said in a Fox News interview back then.
He also said that he preferred to drive change through the private sector rather than assume a subordinate position in the federal government.
But Ramaswamy now suggests he may reconsider after suspending his presidential campaign.
"I’m not somebody who’s going to be able to speak anyone’s convictions but my own. So if that’s a role that I can perform from the vice presidency or any other one, I’m going to evaluate whatever is best for the future of this country. But my number one commitment is to truth," he said after dropping out of the presidential race.
VoteRepublican.news has more stories about Vivek Ramaswamy and the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
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