In a surprising turn of events, Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy showcased his rapping skills on the campaign trail at the Iowa State Fair. Breaking out his alter ego, "Da Vek," Ramaswamy grabbed a mic and performed a verse of Eminem's “Lose Yourself” to a crowd that was taken aback by the unexpected display. Grinning broadly and pumping his fist, Ramaswamy chanted, "Snap back to reality, ope there goes gravity," showcasing his passion for hip-hop music. Prior to his impromptu performance, he had named the song as his favorite walk-out track at campaign events, describing it as "young and scrappy."

During his time on stage, Ramaswamy didn't shy away from controversial topics. He slammed the "climate change agenda" as a “hoax” and pledged to sign a "declaration of independence from Communist China" if elected, criticizing Americans' reliance on Chinese products. As the youngest major candidate in the 2024 presidential race and the only millennial, Ramaswamy has made it a priority to reach out to young voters.

Last month, Ramaswamy gained attention for his "libertarian freestyle rap" on Fox News, where he showcased his rap skills and rhymed about his name, Vivek, rhyming it with "cake." This unexpected talent has further contributed to his appeal among younger voters.

Despite being a long-shot candidate with single-digit polling numbers, Ramaswamy remains confident in his chances of becoming president, predicting his odds to be "over 50 percent." Riding a Ferris wheel at the Iowa State Fair, he compared his crowd size to that of former President Donald Trump, asserting that his own crowd might have been slightly larger.

While Ramaswamy aligns himself closely with Trump, he also presents himself as having "fresh legs," distinguishing himself from the former president. He dismisses the standard criticism that Trump cannot win the general election, instead claiming that he is the only candidate who can win in a landslide.

On the other hand, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, another Republican candidate, faced a series of challenging moments during his time at the Iowa State Fair. Struggling to gain ground against Trump, DeSantis experienced several unexpected incidents that made him question his position in the race. A plane flew overhead with a banner reading "Be likable, Ron!" referencing advice given to DeSantis before a 2018 debate. Additionally, protesters with cowbells and whistles sought to interrupt his conversation with Gov. Kim Reynolds, leading to their removal by the Iowa State Police.

DeSantis also faced technical difficulties when his microphone briefly cut out, forcing him to shout his answer to the crowd. He took the opportunity to criticize Trump for his attacks on Gov. Reynolds, calling them "totally out of bounds." Despite these challenges, DeSantis participated in retail politics at the fair, flipping burgers and pork chops alongside Senator Joni Ernst and Representative Zach Nunn. However, he faced mixed reactions from fairgoers, with some offering words of encouragement and others jeering and hurling insults.

As the 2024 GOP primary race continues, both Ramaswamy and DeSantis face uphill battles to secure the nomination. While Ramaswamy's surprise rap performance showcases his unique approach to the campaign trail, DeSantis's struggles at the Iowa State Fair highlight the difficulties he faces in gaining traction against the dominant figure of Donald Trump.