Elon Musk Voices Support for Vivek Ramaswamy: Pro-Crypto GOP Presidential Candidate

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has expressed support for Vivek Ramaswamy, the youngest candidate in the Republican presidential field.

In response to a snippet of Ramaswamy’s interview on Tucker Carlson‘s Tucker on Twitter podcast, Musk indicated that Ramaswamy demonstrated his potential as a promising candidate.

“He is a very promising candidate,” the billionaire said. 

He is a very promising candidate https://t.co/bEQU8L21nd

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 17, 2023

Known for his frank opinions on digital finance and cryptocurrencies, Ramaswamy has been actively advocating for a stronger crypto environment in the United States. 

At the recent Bitcoin 2023 conference in Miami, he also announced that his campaign would accept Bitcoin (BTC) contributions.

During the event, Ramaswamy unveiled a QR code that directed attendees to a donation portal offering various contribution avenues. 

Donors who contributed within the $6,600 limit were rewarded with an exclusive non-fungible token, adding an innovative twist to his campaign strategy.

Ramaswamy’s decision to accept Bitcoin donations follows in the footsteps of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who became the first U.S. presidential contender to embrace cryptocurrency contributions. 

While Ramaswamy’s pro-crypto stance has gained him popularity among like-minded individuals, he faces challenges on his political journey. 

Currently, he is embroiled in two lawsuits filed by former employees of Strive Asset Management, a company he co-founded. 

The employees claim that they were coerced into violating securities regulations while working at the firm.

Despite these hurdles, Ramaswamy’s rising popularity has brought him into close proximity with fellow Republican Ron DeSantis, the Bitcoin-friendly Governor of Florida. 

US Sees Inflow of Crypto-Friendly Presidential Candidates

Ramaswamy’s decision to accept Bitcoin donations follows in the footsteps of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who became the first U.S. presidential contender to embrace cryptocurrency contributions. 

Ron DeSantis is another presidential candidate known for his support toward cryptocurrencies. 

In his May 24 presidential bid announcement on Twitter, he said he would “protect” Bitcoin. “As president, we’ll protect the ability to do things like Bitcoin,” said DeSantis. 

He added “there’s risks involved with it,” but the people interested in the cryptocurrency “are sophisticated” and “can make decisions.”

Polls taken before the Florida governor’s announcement have him second favorite to Trump.

Likewise, Kennedy has been a vocal supporter of Bitcoin since the conference in Miami.

“Bitcoin is not only a bulwark against totalitarianism and the manipulation of our money supply, it points the way toward a future in which government institutions are more transparent and more democratic,” he said in a June tweet.

As president, I will make sure that your right to use and hold Bitcoin is inviolable. Bitcoin is not only a bulwark against totalitarianism and the manipulation of our money supply, it points the way toward a future in which government institutions are more transparent and more… pic.twitter.com/rPkMARieYu

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) June 27, 2023