(NewsNation) — Former GOP presidential candidate and Donald Trump loyalist Vivek Ramaswamy rallied a sea of Republican National Convention attendees Tuesday, praising the party’s nominee.
“What does it mean to be an American in 2024? It means we believe in the ideals of 1776 … the man who will revive these ideals in the United States of America is your next president, the 47th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump,” Ramaswamy said.
Ramaswamy called on constituents to vote for Trump if they want to secure the border, restore order, reignite the economy and restore national pride.
The entrepreneur also addressed America’s Black voters, a demographic President Joe Biden made his bid to earlier in the day at the NAACP National Convention.
“Our message to Black Americans is this: The media has tried to convince you for decades that Republicans don’t care about your communities, but we do,” Ramaswamy said. “We want for you what we want for every American. Safe neighborhoods, clean streets, good jobs, a better life for your children and a justice system that treats everyone equally, regardless of your skin color and regardless of your beliefs.”
NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo bit back at that statement following the speech, pointing out that the concerns Ramaswamy conflated with Black voters rely on stereotypes.
“It’s out of touch,” Cuomo said, adding that Democrat-run cities still rely on state and federal funding: “You show me legislation and initiatives where Republicans have been pushing hard for the lower socio-economic ladders in cities.”
Regarding media’s coverage of the Republicans’ fight for the Black vote, Cuomo blamed a lack of trying for the lack of coverage: “It’s the record that creates the problem, not the rhetoric, and certainly not the media.”
“Fear has been infectious in this country, but courage can be contagious. That too is what it means to be an American … We don’t have to be this nation in decline, we can still be a nation in our ascent,” Ramaswamy said.
Ramaswamy’s speech drew raucous support from the crowd, which Cuomo acknowledged.
“Vivek Ramaswamy showing, once again, why people like that he can talk the talk. He certainly can,” he said. “Also, once again, showing what kept him from really being a legitimate player at the presidential level.”
Ramaswamy’s projection of unity, of togetherness, at the close of his speech is something Cuomo finds disingenuous.
“This is a man that’s very heavy on division. And it is the right message now, that we should come together. But this is not a guy that was saying he wanted to break bread with any Democrats throughout the election,” he said.
Cuomo also acknowledged that candidates typically present more radically during the primaries and swing moderate during the general election, a possible reason for his rhetoric. Another reason is the attempt on Trump’s life during a Pennsylvania rally, which injured the president and killed a firefighter.
“Over time, moving back and forth does what? It wears it away, and whatever fabric it has, breaks,” Cuomo said. “And that’s what happened. We are paralyzed and polarized. They don’t do any of these things in Congress … Opposition is enough of a position for them.”
Other ex-Trump opponents, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, delivered speeches supporting the former president’s bid during the convention.