Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy is responding to an attack from former President Donald Trump.
But he is not taking aim at the man who attacked him.
Over the weekend, Trump unloaded on Ramaswamy — who has praised him during the campaign — after the biotech entrepreneur posted a picture of supporters wearing a shirt reading, “Save Trump, vote Vivek.”
In a Saturday post on Truth Social, the former president wrote, “Vivek started his campaign as a great supporter, ‘the best President in generations,’ etc. 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.”
“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.
And on Monday, Trump wrote, “A VOTE FOR VIVEK IS A WASTED VOTE. I LIKE VIVEK, BUT HE PLAYED IT TOO “CUTE” WITH US. CAUCUS TONIGHT, VOTE FOR DONALD J. TRUMP, BUILD UP THE NUMBERS!!! IN NOVEMBER, WE MUST TAKE OUR VERY TROUBLED NATION — A NATION IN DECLINE — BACK FROM CROOKED JOE BIDEN AND THE RADICAL LEFT DEMOCRATS AND THUGS WHO ARE DESTROYING IT. MAGA!!!”
Ramaswamy responded to the attacks, writing on X, formerly Twitter, “I’ve defended Trump at every step [and] respect him immensely. You won’t hear me attacking him. I’m asking for your vote tonight because I believe it’s the right thing for our country.”
Instead of hitting back at the former president, he took aim at former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, “We cannot walk into the other side’s trap [and] watch the puppet masters quietly trot Nikki into power.”
I’ve defended Trump at every step & respect him immensely. You won’t hear me attacking him. I’m asking for your vote tonight because I believe it’s the right thing for our country. We cannot walk into the other side’s trap & watch the puppet masters quietly trot Nikki into power. pic.twitter.com/E1gM5ydrXW
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 15, 2024
Ramaswamy has repeatedly attacked Haley during the campaign season.
During a primary debate in November, he labeled her “Dick Cheney in three-inch heels.”
Meanwhile, Haley has stated she feels “a little bit dumber for what” Ramaswamy says.