#Biotech millionaire pulls level with Ron DeSantis in race for US Republican nomination

Such has been the impact of Mr Ramaswamy’s campaign and his aggressive attack on “woke” politics, that there is mounting speculation that he could be Mr Trump’s running mate in the 2024 election.

But over the weekend Mr Ramaswamy dismissed the idea out of hand.

“I’m not interested in a different position in the government,” he said on Fox News. “Frankly, I’d drive change through the private sector sooner than becoming number two or three in the federal government.”

Mr Ramaswamy, who is 38, also dismissed suggestions that he was too young and inexperienced to run for the White House.

“My wife and I, we reflected on this: should we wait 20 years, when our sons are out of the house when we might have some more experience?” he added.

“The truth is, I don’t think we have 20 years left as a country if we just passively stand by and watch.”

The rise of the biotech tycoon has seen the father of two eclipse seasoned politicians from South Carolina senator Tim Scott to former New Jersey governor Chris Christie.

While many of his rivals have distanced themselves from Donald Trump, Mr Ramaswamy has given full-throated support to the former president, vowing to pardon him should he be elected.