Vivek Ramaswamy Exit: Despite his bravado and bluster, the Trump wannabe didn’t stand a chance

Following a subpar showing in the Iowa caucuses, the inaugural event in the 2024 Republican presidential race, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy
declared his withdrawal from the pursuit of the party's nomination for the upcoming US Presidential election. The affluent political novice emulated Donald Trump's approach in his campaign, projecting himself as a charismatic and outspoken populist consistently targeting adversaries.

Succeeding in politics, especially within the Republican Party, demands more than mere imitation of a particular style, such as Trump's. Just 48 hours before the Iowa caucuses, Trump targeted Ramaswamy, deeming him a threat to the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA). Despite prior indications of mutual regard, their relationship underwent a very public and dramatic rupture.

The shift occurred when Ramaswamy criticised Trump by asserting that his legal challenges rendered him a weak candidate. The ex-president's fury was further prompted by the shirts distributed by Ramaswamy's campaign, bearing the slogan 'Save Trump, Vote Vivek.' Following his event in Rock Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, Ramaswamy shared a photo featuring a group of young men adorned in these shirts.

For a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) aspiring to the US presidency, the optimal political stance hinges on a nuanced grasp of current issues and public sentiment, adept communication, and the ability to garner widespread support across diverse US communities. However, examining Ramaswamy's shortcomings reveals that his rigid attempt to appear more “American” than his counterparts was a notable point of failure.