Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy responded to former President Trump's attacks on him on social media in an interview with Fox News on Monday ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
“Why do you think former President Trump threw you under the bus over the weekend?” “Fox & Friends” host Steve Doocy asked Ramaswamy.
“Well, I didn't throw it anywhere, but I think it's possible that I tried to,” he replied. “I take this lightly, but the reality is that people don't have to stick their heads in the snow to see what's going on on the ground, and the mainstream media ignores it. We know there are people out there, but we're seeing a massive increase.'' This is the second half of the process. ”
Ramaswamy cited some of his supporters, including former Republican Congressman Steve King.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy joins FOX News' Steve Doocy on Monday, January 15, 2023. (Fox News)
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“I think something shocking will happen tonight,” he said.
President Trump went after Ramaswamy on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday.
“Mr. Vivek started his campaign as a great supporter, 'the greatest president of all time,' etc.,” President Trump said in a post on Truth Social Saturday night. “Unfortunately, all he's doing now is disguising his support in the form of deception in his campaign. It's very cunning.”
President Trump said Ramaswamy was “not a MAGA” and urged his supporters not to “be fooled.” Mr. Ramawami is the only major Republican candidate who has not previously held office, much as Mr. Trump stood out in the crowded field of 2016 Republican candidates at the time.
Former President Donald Trump speaks at the New York Young Republicans Club Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on December 9, 2023 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The long-awaited final poll ahead of the Iowa caucuses shows Trump in first place, Haley in second place and DeSantis in third place.
Mr. Ramaswamy posted to Mr. X on Sunday, saying he had no intention of responding to Mr. Trump's post with “friendly fire.”
“Yes, I saw President Trump's Truth social post. This is a disappointing action by his campaign advisers and I don't think friendly fire will help,” Ramaswamy wrote in an X post late Saturday. .
“Donald Trump was the greatest president of the 21st century, and I do not criticize him for this belated attack,” the biotech billionaire continued.
Vivek Ramaswamy, chairman and co-founder of Strive Asset Management and 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks at a campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa, USA, Wednesday, January 3, 2024.Photographer: Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Ramaswamy said he was “concerned” about Trump, adding: “I'm worried about our country. I have stood up to his persecution and defended him every step of the way.”
FOX News' Sarah Rumpf-Witten contributed to this report.
