Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy claimed he is not a “plan B” president when asked about the possibility of serving in a potential future Trump administration and made clear his focus is still on winning the GOP primary.
Ramaswamy, 38, is one of a handful of GOP presidential candidates who trail former President Donald Trump, the longtime presumed front-runner in the party’s primary. The former president’s commanding lead in poll after poll ultimately led to his decision not to participate in the Republican National Committee’s presidential debates.
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“I’m not a plan B person, Maria,” he told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on Sunday when asked if he’d accept a position in a second Trump administration. “I didn’t get to where I am; I’m 38 years old, I’ve founded multiple multi-billion dollar companies, we’re blessed with the American dream to be able to self-finance and lift this campaign up. I didn’t get to where I am, and Apoorva didn’t get to where she is by being plan B people,” he added, referencing his wife.
“I’m actually confident we’re going to over-deliver massively at the Iowa caucus,” the entrepreneur-turned-presidential candidate added.
The non-Trump candidates are facing increased pressure to close the gaps in polling ahead of the start of the caucus season next month, while there have been reports regarding whether one of the candidates could ultimately be in line to join Trump’s ticket as his vice president.
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Trump has reportedly considered the possibility of asking his former United Nations ambassador, Nikki Haley, to serve as his running mate, though those in his circle have seemingly pushed back on the idea. Alternatively, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unequivocally stated he wouldn’t become Trump’s vice president if he were to win the GOP nomination earlier this month, and he accused Haley of dodging whether she’d join a Trump ticket.
“Phony Ron DeSantis has spent ten times more money attacking Nikki Haley than Donald Trump. He’ll say anything to try to salvage his sinking ship of a campaign. Nikki has been very clear from day one, she doesn’t play for second,” a campaign spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. “Ron is trying to play for fourth in New Hampshire.”
