“I will lift sanctions and return Russia to the world market”

The first debate of Republican candidates for the 2024 presidential election took place on August 23 without Donald Trump: he considered his rating too high to waste time on. But the ex-president’s absence was not felt: the conversation between the eight contenders kept returning to the personality and policies of the most prominent of the Republicans.

“Would you support Trump as a candidate if he is convicted? [по возбужденным ранее уголовным делам]? Raise your hand if yes,” the presenter asked. Former governors of Arkansas and New Jersey Asa Hutchinson and Chris Christie pressed their hands closer to their bodies so as not to inadvertently vote. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis glanced sideways at his neighbors, shifting his weight. And only 38-year-old businessman Vivek Ramaswamy saluted Trump instantly and with inspiration.

And he was the only one who raised his hand in response to the question: “Which of you does not support further funding of Ukraine?” And he has a straight-as-a-pipeline plan for getting America out of the crisis: “Guys, it’s not that difficult. Discover energy. Drill, pump, burn coal, expand the use of nuclear power plants. Get people back to work, stop paying them to sit at home!”

Vivek Ramaswamy’s slogan for his campaign was: “I will tell you the hard truth!” “Truths” are posted on his election website in a list, point by point: “1. God is real. 2. There are two genders. 3. Humanity requires fossil fuels to thrive. 4. Fighting racism also leads to racism. 5. Open borders are the absence of borders…” And so on up to “There are only three branches of government, not four” – Ramaswami also does not curry favor with journalists.