How Donald Trump Destroyed Rivals Vivek, Nikki and Ron Ahead of Iowa Caucus

Results of Iowa Caucus are out. Donald Trump has decimated all his Republican rivals - Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, and Ron DeSantis. Ron came second, Nikki stood third, and Vivek came distant 4th. Being a highly intelligent man, Vivek read the writing on the wall and hung his boots. But the result which came out now, was already sealed in last two days, by Donald Trump who breathed fire! 

Two days back, Donald Trump totally destroyed Vivek's campaign. Following 'Truth' on Truth Social appeared so harsh and broke the heart of Vivek's supporters: 

Even after this, Vivek Ramaswamy did not give up hope and chose to take his stabbing in the right spirits. It was really amazing thing to witness. 

Out of all Republican candidates, Vivek has been most aligned with Trump and has been campaigning while fully supporting Trump. Trump's above attack can be seen as an attempt to make it clear to his supporters that vote for Vivek will not mean vote for Trump. 

Donald Trump posted a second tweet over the top of his first one, reiterating and engraving his clear stand in the mind of voters. Donald Trump wanted everyone to vote for only Donald Trump, no other candidate. 

Iowa results showed that no other candidate came close to Trump. But Trump knew the importance of "momentum". Vivek has been gaining momentum and a great many changes can be done with the right momentum. 

After destroying Vivek, Donald Trump hammered Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley to the ground. 

Donald Trump had attacked Nikki Haley many times before, and he calls her "Bird brain"! Donald Trump knows it very well that out of all Republican candidates, Nikki is most dangerous because she is most "liberal" and closer to the ideology of the Democrats. If Nikki gains popularity, Joe Biden will become stronger, because in the end, people will choose "real Democrat" over a poser like Nikki. 

At the same time, in above tweet, Donald Trump has made it clear that out of all candidates, he likes Ron DeSantis most. Will he choose Ron as his Vice Presidential candidate in the end? So far, it seems most likely. Ron may not be as intelligent and as good communicator as Vivek, but he attracts the right "demographics" which Donald Trump wants! 

My understanding is that while choosing a running mate as VP, Donald Trump will look for only one criterion" "which candidate can transfer maximum new voters to me?" Donald Trump likes Ron as he brings Latino/Hispanic voters to him. Vivek has already supported Trump now, and hence whatever voter base he had, Trump has got it for himself effortlessly (barring his attack on Vivek).

Donald Trump was graceful when Vivek quit and endorsed him - that is exactly what Donald Trump wanted. 

So far, Donald Trump has proven to be class ahead of the game. He is master craftsman when it comes to strategy, marketing, and communication. He knows when to be silent, when to be watchful, and when to speak out and when to attack. The manner in which he chose to destroy Vivek just before Iowa caucus is a game played well. He "knew" how Vivek would react, since he had read him very well. Trump had nothing to lose by attacking his "fan boy" Vivek. It may sound unfair and heartbreaking for Vivek's fans, but this is the price Vivek paid for taking a clear "pro Trump" stand. 

And when it comes to choosing his running mate, my estimation is that Trump will choose Ron. He would have wanted to choose Nikki for being a woman in order to get some female voters, but she has turned out to be too far from Trump's ideology and the loss would be totally hers. Ron, on the other hand, is the kind of "good boy" Trump wants standing with him. Donald Trump knows that on crucial moments, he will be able to get his way and Ron won't stand against him. In this game of thrones, Ron is not being rewarded for his intelligence or merit, but for being the right person at the right time. 

- Rahul Tiwary 

Note: All screenshots are taken from Truth Social by me on morning of 16th of Jan.