Vivek Ramaswamy thanked US President Donald Trump for endorsing his bid to become Ohio’s next governor — but the response online showed how divided the Republican base remains over his candidacy.
Ramaswamy posted a message on X soon after Trump’s endorsement, writing: “Thank you, Mr President, for securing our border & making America safer. Now it’s up to the states to do our part. More energy. More housing. More high-quality education. Less crime. Less taxation. Less bureaucracy. Starting in Ohio soon.”
His message stirred a row, with many conservatives insisting that “MAGA will never accept you,” while others argued that he remained an outsider trying to win over a movement that had not fully embraced him. Supporters pushed back, saying Trump’s backing should settle the matter.
Trump announced his support on Truth Social, calling Ohio a state he “loved” and “WON BIG, THREE TIMES.” He urged Republicans to unite behind Ramaswamy, praising him as “Young, Strong, and Smart” and describing him as someone who “truly loves our Country.”
He also laid out a long list of priorities he said Ramaswamy would champion as governor, including cutting taxes and regulations, strengthening border security, promoting American manufacturing, and protecting the Second Amendment. Trump ended the post by calling him a “GREAT Governor of Ohio” who would “NEVER LET YOU DOWN.”
Ramaswamy enters the race with a clear field on the Republican side, boosted by his rise as a billionaire entrepreneur and his work in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Elon Musk. However, as an Indian-origin candidate running in a deeply red state, his voter base remains divided. Many Republicans are still hesitant to back him because he does not fit the traditional image of a conventional, white, MAGA-aligned leader.
Republicans broadly view him as a pro-business conservative who reflects Ohio’s rightward shift. But the general election is far from guaranteed.
Trump’s endorsement remains his biggest asset in a state where the GOP chief is still highly influential. The Ohio governor’s race will be decided in November 2026, after primaries in May.
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