In an unprecedented turn of events, ex-US President Donald Trump has taken a swipe at his Republican nomination rival, Vivek Ramaswamy, accusing the Indian-American entrepreneur of employing "deceitful campaign tricks." Trump's criticism surfaced in response to the distribution of shirts by Ramaswamy's campaign bearing the slogan 'Save Trump, Vote Vivek' during an event in Rock Rapids, Iowa.
Taking to Truth Social on Saturday, Trump expressed his disappointment with Ramaswamy, stating that despite starting as a fervent supporter, the entrepreneur has now resorted to camouflaging his backing through deceptive tactics. He warned voters not to be misled, emphasizing that a vote for Vivek is tantamount to supporting the 'other side' and urged them to "Vote for TRUMP, don't waste your vote! Vivek is not MAGA."
The MAGA movement, a slogan coined by Trump during his successful 2016 campaign, signifies Make America Great Again and refers to his political base. This critique marks the first instance of Trump and his team publicly attacking Ramaswamy, who had previously garnered Trump's favor with his staunch support.
Despite the criticism, Ramaswamy continues to position himself as a viable alternative to Trump. On the campaign trail, the biotech entrepreneur appeals to Trump-leaning voters, presenting himself as the ideal candidate with both business acumen and a profound understanding of the Constitution.
Responding to Trump's comments, Ramaswamy, who had refrained from criticizing Trump in the past, reiterated his respect for the former president, hailing him as the "best President of the 21st century." However, he stood by his assertion that Trump's political adversaries are orchestrating a plan to narrow the Republican field to a "2-horse race" between Trump and Nikki Haley, another Indian-American contender. Ramaswamy contends that this maneuver aims to ultimately eliminate him from the competition.
In a comprehensive statement on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Ramaswamy characterized Trump's remarks as an "unfortunate move by his campaign advisors," emphasizing the counterproductive nature of friendly fire. He maintained his stance on the strategic positioning of Haley and Trump as the primary candidates, alleging a concerted effort to sideline Trump from the race.
(With Agency Inputs)
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