Trump criticizes Ramaswamy publicly for the 1st time ahead of Iowa caucus

With just two days left until the Iowa caucuses, former President Donald Trump has started to criticize Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy as the two have appeared to maintain a friendly relationship on the campaign trail up until this point.

«Vivek started his campaign as a great supporter, „the best President in generations,“ etc. Unfortunately, now all he does is disguise his support in the form of deceitful campaign tricks,» Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Saturday.

The criticism marks the first time Trump and his team have made direct, public attacks against Ramaswamy.

It stemmed from shirts that Ramaswamy's campaign is handing out that say 'Save Trump, Vote Vivek' on them. Ramaswamy posted a photo with a group of young men wearing them after his event in Rock Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, which caught the former president's attention.

«Very sly, but a vote for Vivek is a vote for the „other side“ — don't get duped by this. Vote for „TRUMP,“ don't waste your vote! Vivek is not MAGA,» Trump added.

Senior Trump campaign advisor Chris LaCivita took it even further, calling the claim a «fraud.»

«Here is a great picture of this campaigns number one FRAUD,» he wrote on X, quote tweeting a picture Ramaswamy had posted with supporters wearing the shirts.

«Trump doesnt need „saving,“ LaCivita added.

Until now, Trump has largely avoided criticizing Ramaswamy due to his strong praise and defense of the former president. However, the criticisms come as voters will start making their voices heard in the first-in-the-nation caucuses on Monday and as Ramaswamy has started to become more direct in laying out the case for why he is the Trump alternative.

On the campaign trail, the