The political landscape is heating up with Former President Donald Trump openly attacking GOP challenger Vivek Ramaswamy.
Trump, in a recent all-capitalized Truth Social post, declared votes for Ramaswamy would be in vain, urging voters to support him instead.
Trump criticizes Ramaswamy on Truth Social, rallies support for his candidacy
Trump’s statement was clear and direct: “A VOTE FOR VIVEK IS A WASTED VOTE. I LIKE VIVEK, BUT HE PLAYED IT TOO ‘CUTE’ WITH US,” he expressed on Truth Social.
This marked a notable shift in Trump’s campaign strategy, as Ramaswamy had largely been spared from such direct attacks until the days leading up to the caucuses.
Further intensifying his campaign rhetoric, Trump added, “CAUCUS TONIGHT, VOTE FOR DONALD J. TRUMP, BUILD UP THE NUMBERS!!! IN NOVEMBER, WE MUST TAKE OUR VERY TROUBLED NATION — A NATION IN DECLINE — BACK FROM CROOKED JOE BIDEN AND THE RADICAL LEFT DEMOCRATS AND THUGS WHO ARE DESTROYING IT. MAGA!!!”
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Ramaswamy avoids confrontation as Trump intensifies criticism in GOP race
In contrast, Ramaswamy has maintained a defensive position, avoiding confrontation with Trump.
He has been a staunch defender of the former president throughout his campaign, even promising to withdraw from Colorado’s ballot following Trump’s removal under the 14th Amendment by the state’s Supreme Court last month.
However, Trump has not held back in his criticism, branding Ramaswamy as “not MAGA” and a “fraud” in a social media post.
Trump accused Ramaswamy of deceitful tactics, saying, “Vivek started his campaign as a great supporter, ‘the best President in generations,’ etc. Unfortunately, now all he does is disguise his support in the form of deceitful campaign tricks. Very sly, but a vote for Vivek is a vote for the ‘other side’ — don’t get duped by this.”
Ramaswamy responds diplomatically to Trump
Responding to Trump’s initial salvo, Ramaswamy took to X, formerly Twitter, underscoring his previous support for Trump and refusing to engage in a war of words.
“Yes, I saw President Trump’s Truth Social post. It’s an unfortunate move by his campaign advisors; I don’t think friendly fire is helpful. Donald Trump was the greatest President of the 21st century, and I’m not going to criticize him in response to this late attack,” he stated.
Adding another dimension to the unfolding drama, GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis commented on Trump’s tactics against Ramaswamy.
DeSantis observed the unusual nature of Trump’s campaign approach, suggesting a swift and harsh dismissal of Ramaswamy.
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“You know, it’s like, I’ve never seen a candidate run for an office and basically campaign for another candidate in the same race before, and that’s what’s happened.”
“But the minute he wasn’t useful, he dropped the hammer on it. So that’s just kind of the way — way they are,” DeSantis said in a statement reported by CNN’s Kit Maher on X.
The unfolding events signal not just a battle for votes but a contest of narratives and allegiances within the Republican Party.
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