Shruti Suman
Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy experienced a surge in popularity and online fundraising on the day after the inaugural Republican presidential debate. As per the Ramaswamy campaign, the 38-year-old candidate managed to raise over $450,000 in the first hour following the debate, with an average contribution of $38.
Ramaswamy’s performance during the debate, in which he engaged in spirited exchanges with fellow contenders like Mike Pence, Chris Christie, and Nikki Haley, drew attention. He was even deemed the most Googled GOP candidate, according to Fox News. A post-debate poll revealed that 28% of 504 respondents believed Ramaswamy performed the best, closely followed by Ron DeSantis at 27% and Mike Pence at 13%. Haley secured 7% of the votes.
The Wall Street Journal reported, “Vivek Ramaswamy Grabs Spotlight at First Republican Primary Debate,” although they criticized his foreign policy proposals. The New York Times highlighted his aggressive stance, saying he “came in hot, slamming his rivals, smiling wide and showing little deference to the more experienced candidates on stage.”
NBC News dubbed the event the “Vivek Ramaswamy Show,” emphasizing his role as a defender of Donald Trump. Despite facing 11 attacks from rivals during the debate, Ramaswamy remained confident, stating that the contest would ultimately narrow down to himself and former President Donald Trump.
Messenger, an online news portal, noted that Ramaswamy’s unique policy views garnered attention and provoked reactions from opponents, making him an opponent to criticize without alienating Trump supporters. Ramaswamy expressed his belief that he was the clear victor of the night and predicted a two-horse race between himself and Trump in the future.
