The campaign for Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy is ceasing spending on TV ads ahead of the first votes being cast in the primary race.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the entrepreneur insisted, “Presidential TV ad spending is idiotic, low-ROI [and] a trick that political consultants use to bamboozle candidates who suffer from low IQ.”
“We’re doing it differently. Spending $$ in a way that follows data…apparently a crazy idea in US politics. Big surprise coming on Jan 15,” he insisted.
Presidential TV ad spending is idiotic, low-ROI & a trick that political consultants use to bamboozle candidates who suffer from low IQ.
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) December 27, 2023
We’re doing it differently. Spending $$ in a way that follows data…apparently a crazy idea in US politics.
Big surprise coming on Jan 15. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/i2X7Q5d2T9
Despite Ramaswamy’s claim TV ads are just a “trick” for “low-IQ” candidates, his campaign announced an eight-figure ad buy in Iowa and New Hampshire in November.
At the time, Tricia Mclaughlin, his campaign’s spokesperson, told The New York Post, “Vivek is making an eight-figure buy across Iowa and New Hampshire. Vivek’s not an idiot. Anytime earlier would have been stupid. And this is just the beginning.”
“They will start advertising on Saturday — this will include broadcast, cable, radio, digital and direct mail. If people thought he was aggressive with events leading up to this, stay tuned for post-Nov. 8,” she added.
Commentator Josh Barro asked, “So when you were spending $200k a week on TV ads earlier this month, did you have a low IQ?”
So when you were spending $200k a week on TV ads earlier this month, did you have a low IQ? https://t.co/K0Zme0RgaF
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) December 27, 2023
“It is very funny watching a candidate not trying to win, cry about candidates trying to win,” wrote conservative podcast co-host Michael Duncan.
It is very funny watching a candidate not trying to win, cry about candidates trying to win https://t.co/xX1haxedlc
— Michael Duncan (@MichaelDuncan) December 27, 2023
The Daily Beast’s Justin Baragona chimed in, “So I guess you were low IQ last month when you were boasting about 8-figure TV ad buys?”
So I guess you were low IQ last month when you were boasting about 8-figure TV ad buys? https://t.co/kdUN40andR
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) December 27, 2023
“So Vivek’s $10m+ he spent on TV was idiotic? He fell for the ‘trick?’ Just the kind of fiscal hawk we need as president,” another user wrote.
So Vivek’s $10m+ he spent on TV was idiotic? He fell for the “trick?”
— Jacob Hawkins (@jacobphawkins) December 27, 2023
Just the kind of fiscal hawk we need as president 😂 https://t.co/q1LPATkgwk
The decision to cancel TV ad spending comes just weeks before the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses.
RealClearPolitics’ average of polls shows Ramaswamy sitting in fourth place in Iowa with 5.9% support.