Former President Donald Trump has expressed admiration for Vivek Ramaswamy, suggesting that the 38-year-old entrepreneur could be a commendable choice for vice president but warning that the Indian-American entrepreneur should tone down some of his more controversial rhetoric.
The once-unfamiliar Ramaswamy has recently gained prominence as a dynamic, antiestablishment contender in the Republican primary — and his ascendancy has not gone unnoticed by the party’s frontrunner of whom Ramaswamy has been a staunch defender.
“He’s a very, very, very intelligent person. He’s got good energy, and he could be some form of something,” Trump said during an interview with Glenn Beck on the BlazeTV, adding praise for the prospect of a “Vice President Ramaswamy.”
“I tell you, I think he’d be very good,” Trump remarked.
However, Trump also advised Ramaswamy to exercise caution with his statements.
“He’s starting to get out there a little bit. He’s getting a little bit controversial,” Trump remarked. “I got to tell him, ‘Be a little bit careful. Some things you have to hold in just a little bit, right?'”
Ramaswamy’s political stances align with Trump’s on several fronts. He supports the abolition of the Department of Education and advocates for military action against Mexican drug cartels.
He has also proposed maintaining the current borders in Ukraine, allowing Russia to control the Donbas region, provided Ukraine refrains from joining NATO and Russia severs ties with China. During a campaign event in Iowa, Ramaswamy emphasized the importance of defending Taiwan from China, suggesting a reevaluation once the U.S. achieves semiconductor independence.
Ramaswamy’s views on U.S. aid to Israel have proven especially controversial. Nikki Haley, former U.N. Ambassador, accused him of wanting to halt funding to Israel during a Republican debate. Ramaswamy responded assertively, emphasizing the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship. “Our relationship with Israel will never be stronger than by the end of my first term. But it’s not a client relationship, it is a friendship. And you know what friends do? Friends help each other stand on their own two feet,” Ramaswamy declared.
Controversy arose when Ramaswamy addressed Nikki Haley by her birth name on his website, countering her claims about his stance on Israel. He stated on Russell Brand’s Rumble channel that by 2028, when the U.S.’s $38 billion aid package to Israel concludes, Israel might not require further assistance.
During a debate, Ramaswamy introduced himself as the “skinny guy with a funny last name” and engaged in spirited exchanges with political figures like former Vice President Mike Pence, Haley, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. His performance garnered attention, with a poll conducted by the Daily Mail indicating a tie between him and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for top position.
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