Republican presidential candidate has a simple message: he is like the former president, but younger and free of legal baggage
When candidates at the first Republican primary television debate in Milwaukee were asked if they would pardon Donald Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy’s hand was the first to shoot in the air.
The biotech entrepreneur – who has surged in opinion polls, and is now second place in some surveys, behind the former president – has fast become the biggest cheerleader for Mr Trump during his endless legal battles.
He has sought to capture both Trump supporters and detractors with a simple message: he is like the former president, but younger and free of legal baggage.
That strategy has earned him the support of Mr Trump, who declared him the winner of the night, and fuelled rumours he could be chosen as his running mate.