Over the past year, Vivek Ramaswamy, a contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has undergone a significant transformation, positioning himself as one of Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters, despite ostensibly running against him. Ramaswamy’s efforts to align himself with the former president have reached a point where he has delved into conspiracy theories surrounding the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
On the third anniversary of the Capitol riot, where a mob of Trump supporters stormed the building, Ramaswamy took to X to post a message that read, “Happy Entrapment Day.” This post is a clear reference to his theory that the attack was an “inside job” orchestrated by the U.S. government, notably under President Trump’s administration at that time.
The post triggered reactions from users on X, prompting them to remind Ramaswamy of his previous critical stance toward Trump and his role in inciting the mob on January 6. Users unearthed an appearance Ramaswamy made on Fox News with anchor Shannon Bream on the night of January 27, 2021, during which he claimed to have shed tears while watching footage of the attack. He expressed his emotional response, describing the events as a “disgrace” and stating, “I was in tears when I watched on television that day.”
This apparent change in Ramaswamy’s perspective on the Capitol riot since declaring his presidential run was emphasized by users. They pointed to his earlier comments and criticisms of Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election in his 2022 book, “Nation of Victims,” where Ramaswamy condemned the former president for refusing to concede, alleging election theft, and raising substantial funds from loyal supporters. The book described January 6 as a “dark day for democracy,” showcasing the stark shift in Ramaswamy’s views over time.
Vivek on January 27, 2021: "I saw the disgrace that unfolded at the footsteps of the Capitol on January 6, I cried. I was in tears when I watched on television that day" pic.twitter.com/AbwwP27lTO https://t.co/YSAjURjPH1
— Ed Tarnowski (@edtarnowski) January 6, 2024
