Why does Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy persist with conspiracy theories?

Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and Republican candidate, is gaining attention for espousing conspiracy theories in an effort to boost his poll numbers. During a recent CNN town hall event, Ramaswamy referred to the January 2021 Capitol riot as an "inside job," echoing fringe ideas he has previously expressed during presidential debates. He believes he is fighting against government lies, but his embrace of debunked and confusing ideas is more commonly found on far-right message boards than in mainstream political discourse. Ramaswamy claimed that the rioters were victims of "entrapment" and repeated false narratives advanced by far-right groups online. Experts see Ramaswamy's conspiracy thinking as a potential point of distinction from his more established rivals in the race for the Republican nomination. Despite his efforts, Ramaswamy currently ranks a distant fourth in most polls, behind Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, and Nikki Haley. It remains unclear whether Ramaswamy is aware of the background and meanings behind the ideas he promotes. His campaign did not respond to requests for comment.