Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy dismissed recent attacks by former President Trump, saying he believed they were the work of his advisers, not the candidate himself.
Appearing on NewsNation's “The Hill” on Monday during the Iowa presidential caucuses, Ramaswamy said the attack was the result of a recent “surge” in notable supporters in the Hawkeye state. He said there is a high possibility.
“I think it was his campaign staff that probably actually put it out there or advised him to put it out, but I don’t think it was probably the A team that was working on it on the spot, but I think it was late in Iowa. There has been a sharp increase in the number of cases,” Ramaswamy said. “That's the fact of the matter.”
The conservative entrepreneur and presidential candidate noted recent endorsements from controversial former Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) and Iowa state Rep. changed support From Ron DeSantis to Ramaswamy.
His comments came after the former president began pursuing Ramaswamy after months of relatively positive statements from both sides.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said supporters should not support Ramaswamy because he is “not MAGA” and that supporting him would be a waste of votes.
“Unfortunately, all he is doing now is disguising his support in the form of deceptive campaign tricks. Very cunning, but a vote for Vivek is a vote for the 'other side'. It's a vote. Don't be fooled by this. Please vote for Trump, don't waste your vote! ” He said.
President Trump previously praised Ramaswamy's performance in the first Republican debate, calling him a “very good” running mate.
Ramaswamy did not attack Trump and said he was not running against Trump, but for the country.
“I respect him. I think he was an excellent president, but I think he's going to take the America First movement to the next level and carry it into the next generation.”
He said he hasn't spoken to Trump in a while but continues to work to get him votes.
“We have worked hard. We have not left anything on the table,” Ramaswamy said.
Ramaswamy ranks fourth in Iowa, behind Trump, DeSantis and Nikki Haley, in The Hill/Decision Desk polling average.
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