As expected, Donald Trump's name has been dropped from the lineup of the upcoming Republican presidential debate by Fox News. Instead, the network is now focused on a new candidate named Vivek Ramaswamy.
A recent analysis conducted by the Daily Beast revealed that Ramaswamy had been mentioned on Fox News around 200 times in just the past week. The network praised his ability to connect with young voters and also noted that it was searching for someone who could align with it regardless of who won't be the next president.
The 37-year-old former IT consultant is considered to be the youngest viable candidate for president in history. He has gained credibility after being endorsed by Fox News.
The hosts of Fox News praised Ramaswamy's ability to connect with younger voters and also noted that he was able to use music that appeals to Gen Z listeners. It's clear that the network is trying to position him as the next face of the Republican Party. He can carry on Trump's legacy while also attracting a wide range of voters.
Rupert Murdoch, the owner of Fox News, has reportedly decided to no longer support Ron DeSantis, the Republican candidate for governor of Florida. He has become increasingly dissatisfied with the way the campaign has been conducted.
REPORT: Fox News' Preferred Trump Alternative Identified, And It Isn't DeSantishttps://t.co/l3dti5a37f
— 🇺🇸🇺🇸Josh Dunlap🇺🇲🇺🇲 ULTRA-MAGA (@JDunlap1974) August 22, 2023
The network has been very critical of DeSantis in recent coverage, especially regarding his loss of endorsements from Florida's Republican congressmen who have supported Trump. It's clear that Fox News is looking for a new candidate to back. Ramaswamy fits the bill.
The main difference between Ramaswamy and DeSantis is how they view Trump's position within the Republican Party. DeSantis has been very negative toward Trump, alienating many of his supporters. On the other hand, Ramaswamy has been praised by his own supporters for standing by the former president.
In addition, Ramaswamy has made a number of controversial statements, such as promising to pardon Trump following his recent criminal charges. He has also filed a Freedom Of Information Act request to investigate the actions of the Biden Justice Department, which he claims was politically influenced. Fox News is hoping that by giving him a prime-time slot in the debate, he can stir up more controversy with the other candidates.
As the first debate of the Republican primary campaign approaches, it's clear that Fox News has been working to boost the profile of Ramaswamy and create a matchup between him and DeSantis. Through its endorsement, the network has positioned him as the most viable candidate in the race. It's still to be seen if his rise can be sustained, but one thing is for certain: They are making the race more interesting by backing him.