Vivek Ramaswamy was left red-faced after he nearly dropped a young child he tried to pick up during a midterms campaign rally.
Ramaswamy was addressing crowds in Vandalia, Ohio, on Saturday ahead of an appearance by Donald Trump when he spotted the youngster.
The 10-year-old, named Hunter, was clutching a ‘proud military kid for Trump’ which caught the aspiring governor’s eye.
Ramaswamy invited him up on stage and attempted to lift him, saying: ‘I’m gonna’ pick you up!’
However, as he attempted to haul the boy up to the podium, Ramaswamy began visibly struggling and the youngster lurched backwards.
The Republican managed to save Hunter, but not his embarrassment as he wrestled him back into his arms before remarking: ‘Big guy!’
He then invited Hunter’s sister up but decided not to try and lift her, instead allowing her to chant ‘OH’ at the microphone before returning to his prepared remarks.
The incident quickly sparked ridicule on social media after clips of the awkward moment disseminated like wildfire.
Vivek Ramaswamy faced an awkward moment after he nearly dropped a young child he tried to pick up as he spoke ahead of Donald Trump at a rally in Ohio
He invited ten-year-old Hunter on stage after spotting his sign about his military father in the crowd, but the tender moment soon collapsed as he struggled to hold him up
Ramaswamy was one of the headline speakers at the rally in Vandalia where Trump addressed voters ahead of the midterm elections
‘Another awkward as hell Vivek moment,’ one person said.
‘He needs to do some squats,’ another joked.
‘Should have spent less time studying, more time in the weight room,’ one person said.
Ramaswamy is currently campaigning to become governor against Democrat Dr Amy Acton, the state’s former Covid-era health director.
Despite a massive fundraising lead and more than $12 million spent in campaign advertising, Ramaswamy is now locked in a close fight with Acton with weeks to go until Election Day.
A wealthy biotech entrepreneur and 2024 presidential candidate, Ramaswamy’s star appeal among conservatives led to quick backing by Ohio Republicans and hopes of an easy victory in the Republican-dominated state.
‘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,’ Ramaswamy said at the rally ahead of Trump’s arrival, as he underscored the American dream for his Indian immigrant family.
He was given a boost by the President shortly after as Trump gave him a ringing endorsement, him despite conceding that Ramaswamy was ‘nasty’ when the went head to head in the Republican primary.
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.
