Vivek Ramaswamy, in response to a lackluster outcome in Iowa, officially announced the suspension of his Republican presidential bid, endorsing his rival, former President Donald Trump. The 38-year-old, who has previously lauded Trump as the "best president of the 21st century," had sought to convince Republican voters to opt for "fresh legs" and elevate the "America First agenda" to a new level.

Drawing inspiration from Trump's playbook, Ramaswamy campaigned as a quick-witted, attention-grabbing populist who consistently needled his opponents. Despite his efforts, Trump secured a decisive victory in the initial 2024 Republican presidential contest in Iowa, reinforcing his dominance within the party as he faces various legal challenges in his pursuit of a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.

Expressing his gratitude on the Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, "THANK YOU IOWA, I LOVE YOU ALL!!!" Ramaswamy also reiterated his endorsement of Trump, acknowledging the former president's quest to reclaim the White House in November.

In a statement, Ramaswamy acknowledged the failure to achieve the desired surprise in Iowa and announced the suspension of his presidential campaign. He conveyed his congratulations to Trump, stating, "you will have my full endorsement for the presidency."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis secured a distant second place, surpassing former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley in the battle to emerge as the chief alternative to Trump, according to Edison Research projections. With nearly 90% of the expected vote counted, Trump led with 50.9%, DeSantis trailed at 21.4%, and Haley followed at 19.0%.

It remained uncertain whether Trump would surpass the 50% mark, a significant psychological threshold that could further undermine his rivals' argument that his nomination could be derailed, Reuters reported. Both DeSantis and Haley had aimed for a robust second-place finish to demonstrate the viability of their challenges to Trump.

Trump's strategic decision to bypass debates and minimize traditional county-by-county politicking appeared effective in cultivating an aura of inevitability around his campaign, setting the stage for the dynamic race ahead.