In an intriguing twist, Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican contender for the presidential race, took to social media with a bold prediction. Ramaswamy suggested in a video posted on Wednesday that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis might soon align himself with former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, assuming the role of her vice presidential running mate.
In a video that seemed to echo support for former President Donald Trump rather than positioning himself as a competitor for the 2024 Republican nomination, Ramaswamy asserted that “the system” would actively advocate for this particular outcome.
He went on to make a curious claim, asserting that DeSantis would find himself with no alternative but to comply with this anticipated development. The scenario presented by Ramaswamy hinted at a unique and unexpected turn of events in the political landscape.
“Here’s the plot,” he wrote in the X post accompanying the video. “1. Narrow this to a 2-horse race between Trump & a puppet they can control. 2. Eliminate Trump. 3. Trot their puppet into the White House.
“Prediction: next up, Ron DeSantis joins Nikki Haley’s ticket as VP. Ron may not know it yet, but he won’t have a say in the matter,” he added.
Ramaswamy left a significant gap in his explanation, failing to elaborate in either the post or the video on the specific mechanisms that would ostensibly compel DeSantis into the position of Haley’s running mate. He vaguely alluded to external pressures, stating that “that’s what his donors are going to make him do.”
The lack of detailed insight into this intriguing claim raises questions about the basis for such a prediction, leaving observers curious about the dynamics at play and the nature of the influence Ramaswamy believes will shape DeSantis’s political decisions.
“The system wants to narrow this down to a two-horse race between Donald Trump and a puppet who they can control,” he said in the video, without explaining who or what he meant by “the system.”
“And it has become increasing clear that that puppet is not a Democrat; it’s not even [Democratic California Gov.] Gavin Newsom,” he said. “It’s Nikki Haley. It’s in our own party.”
In a somewhat peculiar turn of events, Ramaswamy asserted that the withdrawal of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie from the nomination race was another element in a larger scheme, insinuating an air of unusualness around a candidate who, with a national poll average never surpassing 3.5 percent, chose to exit a race seemingly out of reach.
Despite Ramaswamy himself hovering between 4.0 and 4.3 percent in the same average since December 20, experiencing a decline from a peak of around 8.1 percent in late September, he has yet to demonstrate any inclination to withdraw from the race.
Undeterred, Ramaswamy proceeded to make a forecast regarding DeSantis potentially teaming up with Haley, framing it as an unprecedented move in a presidential primary. However, seasoned observers may recall Carly Fiorina’s analogous move in 2016, when she joined forces with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, aiming to galvanize enough momentum to secure the nomination that year—a historical precedent often overlooked.
“The whole game, it’s hiding in plain sight,” he claimed, again, without an explanation of who was “hiding” anything or why expected campaign maneuvering would have to be hidden in the first place.
“Whatever it takes,” he added, although, again, he had only referred to predictable campaign moves. “The system will stop at nothing, and I mean nothing, to eliminate Donald Trump from contention. It’s disgusting.”
Once more, Ramaswamy reiterated his assertion that DeSantis would find himself compelled to assume the role of Haley’s running mate. Despite repeatedly referencing the term “VP,” it became evident that he was actually alluding to the position of a running mate.
Ramaswamy contended that external forces, specifically DeSantis’ donors, would effectively mandate this course of action. According to him, the decision wouldn’t be DeSantis’ to make, emphasizing that it’s a scenario dictated by influential backers rather than a voluntary choice on the part of the Florida Governor.
“We have to open our eyes and not fall into their trap,” he said, before predicting that Trump would not actually be the Republican nominee in 2024 — a prediction he had made before.
“Our America First agenda cannot end, our movement cannot end, with Donald Trump when they take him out from contention,” he said. “And if you think the system is going to even let this man get anywhere near the White House, we need to open our eyes.”
“They are selling us the rope today that they are going to use to hang us tomorrow,” he claimed. “Do not fall into the trap, people. And that’s why I’m here.”
You can watch the entire rant here:
Here’s the plot:
1. Narrow this to a 2-horse race between Trump & a puppet they can control.
2. Eliminate Trump.
3. Trot their puppet into the White House.Prediction: next up, Ron DeSantis joins Nikki Haley’s ticket as VP. Ron may not know it yet, but he won’t have a say in the… pic.twitter.com/EZzWn4WVya
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 10, 2024
