Ramaswamy Responds to Trump Calling His Campaign ‘Deceitful’

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy attends an event at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, on Aug. 12, 2023. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has reacted to what he called an “unfortunate move” by former President Donald Trump’s advisors after they characterized his campaign as “deceitful.”

“Donald Trump was the greatest president of the 21st century, and I’m not going to criticize him in response to this late attack,” Mr. Ramaswamy wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Jan. 14.

Mr. Ramaswamy was referring to the former president’s recent Truth Social post, in which he warned people that voting for Mr. Ramaswamy would be akin to voting for “the other side.”

“Vivek started his campaign as a great supporter,” President Trump stated. “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,” he continued. “Vote for ‘Trump,’ don’t waste your vote! Vivek is not MAGA.”

“The Biden indictments against his political opponent will never be allowed in this country, they are already beginning to fall! MAGA!!!” he added.

The statement marks the first time the former president has gone after the entrepreneur, who has been a staunch defender of President Trump.

Former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 10, 2024. Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP

The Truth Social post came within one hour of Mr. Ramaswamy reposting a photo of himself posing with six supporters wearing black T-shirts with the words “Save Trump Vote Vivek” on his X account. The tees featured President Trump’s mugshot within an outline of Iowa.

In response, Mr. Ramaswamy said he had defended President Trump “at every step,” even showing up at the Miami courthouse in solidarity following his first federal indictment.

“I pledged to remove myself from Maine’s and Colorado’s primary ballots if they remove Trump, calling on DeSantis and Haley to do the same,” he stated on X.

Mr. Ramaswamy also expressed his concerns about the former president and the country, “I’ve met tens of thousands of Iowans across 390+ events here, and they are deeply worried—and so am I—that this ‘system’ won’t allow Donald J. Trump anywhere near the White House again.”

“It seems they will stop at nothing to keep him away from power,” the primary hopeful added.

However, Mr. Ramaswamy believed that it was time for people to “open their eyes” about President Trump.

“But we have to open our eyes. Last time, it was a man-made pandemic and Big Tech election interference,” he wrote. “Now, the same billionaires funding the lawsuits against Trump are the ones trying to prop up Nikki Haley.”

Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley puts her hand up to Vivek Ramaswamy while he speaks to her as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (C) listens during the NBC News Republican Presidential Primary Debate at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami, Florida, on November 8, 2023. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Mr. Ramaswamy said the “plot” is to narrow the GOP field to former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley and President Trump, “eliminate” President Trump, and “trot their puppet into the White House.”

“We can’t fall for that trap,” he remarked.

Mr. Ramaswamy is in fourth place in the latest Iowa-only polls. He trails President Trump, Ms. Haley, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to President Trump, responded to Mr. Ramaswamy on social media, saying the former president “doesn’t need saving.”

According to the RealClearPolitics average of Republican Primary polls, President Trump maintains a dominating lead at 61 percent, followed by Ms. Haley at 11. 3 percent, and Mr. DeSantis at 10.9 percent.

Austin Alonzo contributed to this report.