Donald Trump rules out Vivek Ramaswamy as his VP candidate: Report

Donald Trump has ruled out Vivek Ramaswamy as his running mate and is instead eyeing the Indian American entrepreneur for a Cabinet job, as the presumptive Republican nominee sizes up a possible administration, according to media reports.

The former president personally told Ramaswamy he won’t be his vice presidential pick, but is considering him for posts including Homeland Security secretary, Bloomberg reported citing people familiar with the matter.

READ: Vivek Ramaswamy among voters’ top picks as Trump’s vice president (March 8, 2024)

Some Trump allies see Ramaswamy as ideal for the job because they say he excels at public speaking and, as an Indian-American son of an immigrant, could neutralize criticism of sweeping immigration restrictions, according to the financial media outlet.

Their conversation is just one of many Trump has had recently with allies about administration positions as he seized hold of the Republican nomination.

Loyalty, ideological compatibility and perceived electoral power are the metrics by which Trump is evaluating possible picks, Bloomberg reported citing people familiar with the process.

READ: Vivek Ramaswamy leads straw poll for Trump’s VP pick (February 28, 2024)

Trump is looking for a running mate who isn’t motivated by the limelight, but who will help give him a measurable edge in the race against President Joe Biden, it said citing those familiar with his thinking.

Trump has confided to close advisers and allies that none of the names circulating as potential running mates have impressed him much. His list of options has only grown longer, not shorter, according to people close to the former president, Bloomberg reported.

Ramaswamy was among voters’ top four picks with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former HUD Secretary Ben Carson as Trump’s running mate in a recent YouGov poll of Republicans and right-leaning independents.

READ: Vivek Ramaswamy, Tulsi Gabbard on Trump’s VP shortlist (February 21, 2024)

Ramaswamy dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Trump after a disappointing showing in the Iowa Republican caucuses.

The first Republican millennial to seek the presidential nomination, Ramaswamy entered the 2024 race in February 2023 with no prior political experience.

Founder of the biotech firm Roivant Sciences and author of the book “Woke Inc,” he funded most of his campaign from his fortunes. Right from the start, he aligned with Trump, and repeatedly praised him.