In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has publicly distanced himself from GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, throwing him under the bus just hours before the Iowa Republican primary caucus. The rift between the two emerged over the weekend when Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to discourage voters from supporting Ramaswamy, calling it a "wasted vote."

Ramaswamy, who has been trailing in fourth place in the Iowa Republican primary polls, appeared on Fox News' morning show "Fox & Friends" to garner last-minute support for his struggling campaign. However, instead of discussing his policies or campaign strategies, co-host Steve Doocy focused on the recent fallout between Ramaswamy and Trump.

Drawing attention to Trump's attacks, Doocy asked Ramaswamy why the former president had decided to distance himself from him. Ramaswamy, showing resilience, appeared undeterred and downplayed the situation, stating that he took Trump's comments in a light-hearted manner. He also highlighted the surge in support he has been experiencing in Iowa, urging viewers not to overlook his campaign's momentum.

As the interview unfolded, Doocy took the opportunity to mockingly mention that Ramaswamy had been "thrown under the bus," to which the candidate responded with a quip, suggesting that the bus had snow tires on it. Despite the lighthearted exchange, it was evident that Trump's withdrawal of support had taken a toll on Ramaswamy's campaign.

Furthermore, adding to the blow, Ramaswamy attempted to emphasize his credibility by touting an endorsement he received from former Representative Steve King, who was reprimanded by Congress for his defense of white supremacy. However, as Ramaswamy was hoping to appeal to the conservative base, Trump once again took to Truth Social to criticize the candidate, urging voters to back him in the caucus.

With the Iowa Republican primary caucus imminent, Ramaswamy finds himself facing an uphill battle without the support of the influential former president. Trump's recent comments have undoubtedly cast a shadow over Ramaswamy's campaign, prompting questions about the viability of his "Trump 2.0" persona. It remains to be seen how this rift will impact the outcome of the Iowa primary and Ramaswamy's future in the presidential race.