Ramaswamy: Only ‘Trump and myself’ matter in GOP presidential race

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was dismissive of his GOP presidential rivals in a recent interview, telling ABC that the only candidates that matter in the race as of now are himself and former President Trump.

“I don’t think that there’s a relevant race from any two candidates other than Trump and myself,” Ramaswamy said Tuesday.

The Ohio businessman has shot up in polls in recent months since entering the race as a complete political unknown. 

Despite his confidence, he still lags behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in national polling averages, with the governor taking about 15 percent of support while Ramaswamy gathers about 9 percent.

Ramaswamy will feature alongside DeSantis and six other candidates at the race’s first debate in Milwaukee on Wednesday. Trump won’t be in attendance, instead choosing to sit down with Tucker Carlson for an interview, per reports.

Ramaswamy is the only major candidate without any political experience as well as the race’s youngest. He’s used those facts to his advantage, painting himself as a Trump-aligned outsider who can improve on what Trump did in office. He dubbed his policy agenda “America First 2.0.”

“When it comes to the next president of the United States, I think we absolutely need an outsider … one preferably from a different generation,” he told ABC.

“I’m the one person in this race, I think, who is not just leading us from something — I’m leading us to start running to something to an actual vision of what it means to be an American with an actual agenda, not just against the failed Biden agenda. That’s boring,” he said.

Ramaswamy’s candidacy is still considered a long shot as Trump holds a solid lead over the field. He has previously said he is not interested in any other position in government, and would even turn down an offer of the vice presidency if it were to come.