Vivek Ramaswamy endured an awkward moment at a midterm campaign rally after nearly dropping a young boy he had attempted to lift onto the stage.
Ramaswamy was speaking to a crowd in Vandalia, Ohio, on Saturday before Donald Trump’s scheduled appearance when he noticed the child in the audience.
The 10-year-old, identified as Hunter, was holding a sign that read “proud military kid for Trump,” which immediately caught the aspiring governor’s attention.
Ramaswamy invited Hunter onto the stage and announced, “I’m gonna pick you up!” before reaching down to lift him.
But as he tried to hoist the boy toward the podium, Ramaswamy appeared to struggle. Hunter lurched backward during the attempt.
The Republican caught him before he fell, although the mishap quickly became an embarrassing scene. As he pulled Hunter back into his arms, Ramaswamy remarked, “Big guy!”
He then called Hunter’s sister onto the stage but opted not to lift her. Instead, she led the crowd in an “OH” chant at the microphone before Ramaswamy returned to his prepared remarks.
Video of the awkward exchange spread rapidly across social media, prompting a wave of mockery from viewers.
Vivek Ramaswamy faced an awkward moment after nearly dropping a child he tried to lift while speaking before Donald Trump at an Ohio rally
After spotting 10-year-old Hunter’s sign about his military father, Ramaswamy invited him onstage—but struggled when he tried to pick him up
Ramaswamy was among the headline speakers at the Vandalia rally, where Trump addressed voters ahead of the midterm elections
“Another awkward as hell Vivek moment,” one person wrote.
Another joked, “He needs to do some squats.”
“Should have spent less time studying, more time in the weight room,” a third person commented.
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Ramaswamy is campaigning to become governor of Ohio against Democrat Dr. Amy Acton, the state’s former Covid-era health director.
Although he holds a substantial fundraising advantage and has spent more than $12 million on campaign advertising, Ramaswamy is now locked in a closely fought race against Acton with only weeks remaining before Election Day.
The wealthy biotech entrepreneur and former 2024 presidential candidate initially benefited from strong appeal among conservatives. Ohio Republicans quickly backed him, fueling expectations of an easy victory in the Republican-dominated state.
Before Trump arrived, Ramaswamy highlighted the American dream and his family’s experience as Indian immigrants. “I’m so grateful to this state and to this country for giving a kid like me opportunities that would not have been available to my family in any other country on planet earth,” he told the rally.
Trump offered Ramaswamy a boost soon afterward with a ringing endorsement, despite acknowledging that Ramaswamy had been “nasty” when the two faced off during the Republican primary.
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US President Donald Trump was out on the campaign trail in the key battleground state stumping for key candidates
Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, left, and Senator Jon Husted, R-Ohio, applaud as President Donald Trump speaks
Trump arrived in battleground state Ohio after a few days of campaigning in safe conservative territory.
The President has embarked on what he says will be a 32-day blitz ahead of the November 3 elections, hitting the deep red states of Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama this week.
Saturday’s rally was just outside Dayton, Ohio, where he stumped for key candidates including incumbent Senator John Husted in competitive races for the House, Senate and the governor’s mansion in Columbus.
He hit the stage with a renewed energy moments after announcing on Truth Social that Bayer Pharmaceuticals would be bringing a $2.2 billion dollar manufacturing plant to the state providing a jobs boost to the area.