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{{Short description|American presidential candidate, businessman and activist (born 1985)}}
{{Short description|American entrepreneur and politician (born 1985)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}<!--Do NOT add citations to the lead, except for material likely to be challenged, per [[MOS:LEADCITE]] ([[Bharatpedia:Manual of Style/Lead section#Citations)]]. Move unneeded citations to the body.-->
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = Vivek Ramaswamy
| image              = Vivek Ramaswamy December 2025.jpg
| image              = Vivek Ramaswamy by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption            = Ramaswamy at [[AmericaFest]] 2025
| caption            = Ramaswamy in 2023
| birth_name        = Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy
| birth_name        = Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1985|8|9}}
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1985|8|9}}
| birth_place        = [[Cincinnati, Ohio]], U.S.
| birth_place        = [[Cincinnati]], Ohio, US
| death_date        =  
| death_date        =  
| death_place        =  
| death_place        =  
| party              = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| party              = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| otherparty        =  
| spouse            = {{Marriage|Apoorva Tewari|2015}}
| children          = 3
| education          = [[Harvard University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Yale University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| education          = [[Harvard University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Yale University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| title              = Co-founder and Executive Chairman, Strive Asset Management
| website            = {{url|vivekforohio.com|Campaign website}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Businessman|author}}
| signature          = VivekR-Signature-01.svg
| spouse            = Apoorva Tewari
| signature_alt      = Signature of Vivek Ramaswamy
| children          = 2
| module            = {{Listen |pos=center |embed=yes |filename=Vivek Ramaswamy expressing his political views on American demographics.ogg |title=Ramaswamy's voice |type=speech |description=Ramaswamy on [[U.S. demographics]] and his presidential candidacy<br>Recorded April 27, 2023}}
| homepage          = {{URL|vivek2024.com}}
}}
}}
'''Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy''' (born August 9, 1985) is an American entrepreneur and politician.<!-- SEE TALK PAGE before altering first sentence --> He founded [[Roivant Sciences]], a [[Biotechnology|biotechnological]] pharmaceutical company in 2014 and was its [[chief executive officer]] until 2021. Ramaswamy entered national politics as the youngest presidential candidate in the [[2024 Republican Party presidential primaries|2024 Republican primaries]]. He withdrew his bid and endorsed Donald Trump for the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 presidential election]]. In 2025, he launched his campaign for the [[2026 Ohio gubernatorial election]] and received endorsements from both President Trump and the [[Ohio Republican Party]].


'''Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy''' ({{IPAc-en|v|ɪ|ˈ|v|eɪ|k|_|r|ɑː|m|ɑː|ˈ|s|w|ɑː|m|iː}}; born August 9, 1985) is an American entrepreneur and a candidate in the [[2024 Republican Party presidential primaries]].<Ref name=Wood />
Ramaswamy was born in [[Cincinnati]], Ohio, to [[Indian Americans|Indian immigrant]] parents. He graduated from [[Harvard University]] with a bachelor's degree in biology in 2007. He earned a [[Juris Doctor]] from [[Yale University]] in 2013. Ramaswamy became an investment partner at a hedge fund, before founding Roivant Sciences in 2014. He also co-founded an investment firm, Strive Asset Management, in 2022.


Ramaswamy was born in [[Cincinnati]] to [[Indian people|Indian]] immigrant parents. He graduated from [[Harvard College]] with a bachelor's degree in biology and later earned a [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] from [[Yale Law School]]. Ramaswamy worked as an investment partner at a [[hedge fund]] before founding a [[biotechnology|biotech]] company, [[Roivant Sciences]], in 2014. He stepped down as [[chief executive officer|CEO]]  of Roivant in 2021, but remained its chairman until 2023. In 2022, Ramaswamy co-founded Strive Asset Management, an investment firm that positions itself in opposition to [[environmental, social, and corporate governance]] (ESG). In February 2023, Ramaswamy declared his candidacy for the Republican Party's nomination for president in the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 election]].<!-- Please DO NOT ADD RELIGION (Hindu) IN THE LEAD; see [[MOS:CONTEXTBIO]]: "Ethnicity, religion, or sexuality should generally not be in the lead unless relevant to the subject's notability."-->
Ramaswamy largely remained apolitical until 2020, when he supported [[Donald Trump]] for the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]]. In 2021, Ramaswamy wrote his first book, [[Vivek Ramaswamy#Published works|''Woke Inc'']], and appeared on cable networks arguing against[[Left-wing politics| left-wing]] "[[woke]]" policies. He also became an active donor to the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. Ramaswamy briefly considered running in the [[2022 United States Senate election in Ohio|2022 U.S. Senate election in Ohio]].  


Ramaswamy rose to prominence in [[American conservative]] circles as an "[[anti-woke]]" activist.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-presidential-candidate-2024.html|date=February 21, 2023|title=A Wealthy 'Anti-Woke' Activist Joins the 2024 Presidential Field|first=Maggie|last=Astor|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=February 22, 2023|archive-date=March 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322102134/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-presidential-candidate-2024.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He started his campaign claiming that the United States is in the middle of a "national identity crisis", which according to him is precipitated by "new [[secular religion|secular religions]]", such as "woke-ism", "climate-ism", "covid-ism", and "gender ideology".<ref name=APEntersRace>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/religion-and-politics-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-ohio-e1c1cbe47763bd979b6b47557aee043d|date=February 21, 2023|title='Woke, Inc.' author Vivek Ramaswamy enters White House race|work=Associated Press|quote=“"Ramaswamy, 37, formally launched his longshot bid by decrying what he called a 'national identity crisis' that he claims is driven by a left-wing ideology that has replaced faith, patriotism and hard work with 'new secular religions' like COVID-ism, climate-ism and gender ideology.”|access-date=July 13, 2023|archive-date=July 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713125113/https://apnews.com/article/religion-and-politics-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-ohio-e1c1cbe47763bd979b6b47557aee043d|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="KolhatkarNewYorker">{{Cite magazine |last=Kolhatkar |first=Sheelah |date=December 12, 2022 |title=The C.E.O. of Anti-Woke, Inc. |language=en-US |magazine=The New Yorker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/12/19/the-ceo-of-anti-woke-inc |access-date=June 22, 2023 |issn=0028-792X}}</ref> He is also a critic of [[Environmental, social, and corporate governance|ESG initiatives]].<ref name=hilljan21>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3868741-conservative-entrepreneur-vivek-ramaswamy-announces-gop-presidential-bid/|title=Conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy announces GOP presidential bid|access-date=February 24, 2023|author=Jared Gans|date=February 21, 2023|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|archive-date=February 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224060919/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3868741-conservative-entrepreneur-vivek-ramaswamy-announces-gop-presidential-bid/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CincinnatiBC>{{Cite news|title=A Look At the Race for Portman's Senate Seat|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/01/26/a-look-at-the-race-for-portmans-senate-seat-and-a.html|date=January 26, 2021|work=[[Cincinnati Business Courier]]|publisher=[[American City Business Journals]]|url-access=subscription|access-date=October 28, 2021|archive-date=November 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129043856/https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/01/26/a-look-at-the-race-for-portmans-senate-seat-and-a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2023, ''[[Forbes]]'' estimated his net worth at $630 million; his wealth comes from [[biotechnology|biotech]] and [[financial sector|financial]] businesses.<ref name=forbes042023>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhyatt/2023/04/26/how-rich-is-vivek-ramaswamy-the-longshot-gop-presidential-candidate-who-helped-take-down-don-lemon/|date=April 23, 2023|title=How Rich Is Vivek Ramaswamy, The Longshot GOP Presidential Candidate Who Helped Take Down Don Lemon?|work=Forbes|access-date=July 13, 2023|archive-date=July 13, 2023}}</ref>
Ramaswamy describes himself as a [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] and an [[American nationalism|American nationalist]]. He has criticized [[environmental, social, and corporate governance]] (ESG) and [[affirmative action]]; however, Roivant Social Ventures, one of his companies, was working in support of DEI and ESG. He has promoted numerous [[conspiracy theories]] and [[misinformation|false statements]].


==Early life and family==
In March 2026, ''[[Forbes]]'' estimated Ramaswamy's net worth to be $2.4 billion; his wealth comes from biotech and financial businesses.
Ramaswamy was born on August 9, 1985, in [[Cincinnati|Cincinnati, Ohio]], United States, to [[Tamils|Tamil]] [[Hindus|Hindu]] immigrant parents,<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker>{{Cite magazine |last=Kolhatkar |first=Sheelah |date=December 12, 2022 |title=The C.E.O. of Anti-Woke, Inc. |language=en-US |magazine=The New Yorker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/12/19/the-ceo-of-anti-woke-inc |access-date=June 22, 2023 |issn=0028-792X}}</ref> and was raised in Ohio.<ref name=CincinnatiBC/> His family is from [[Kerala]].<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/><ref>{{Cite news|author=Michelle Celarier|date=August 5, 2022|url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/the-making-of-a-conservative-culture-warrior|title='He's Making Up a World He Wants to Attack': How Vivek Ramaswamy Became a Right-Wing Culture Warrior|work=[[The Information (website)|The Information]]|quote=The Ramaswamy family belongs to India's elite Brahmin caste, a fact he mentions several times in his book. 'Kings were below us,' he wrote}}</ref><!--DO NOT INSERT  LINK TO "KERALA IYERS" ARTICLE WITHOUT A SOURCE SPECIFICALLY SAYING THIS.--><ref name="DH1">{{Cite news |date=February 23, 2023 |title=Vivek, who enters US President fray, used to frequent Kerala |publisher=[[Deccan Herald]] |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/vivek-who-enters-us-president-fray-used-to-frequent-kerala-1194094.html |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315022327/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/vivek-who-enters-us-president-fray-used-to-frequent-kerala-1194094.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His father, V. G. Ramaswamy, a graduate of the [[National Institute of Technology Calicut]], worked as an engineer and [[patent attorney]] for [[General Electric]], while his mother, Geetha Ramaswamy, a graduate of the [[Mysore Medical College & Research Institute]] worked as a [[Geriatric psychiatry|geriatric psychiatrist]].<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Phandis |first1=Shilpa |title=Indian-origin biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswarmy raises $1.1 billion |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/indian-origin-biotech-entrepreneur-vivek-ramaswamy-raises-1-1-billion/articleshow/60015177.cms |access-date=March 25, 2023 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=August 11, 2017 |archive-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107103130/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/indian-origin-biotech-entrepreneur-vivek-ramaswamy-raises-1-1-billion/articleshow/60015177.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> His parents immigrated from [[Palakkad district]] in Kerala,<ref name=Satish>{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2023 |last=Satish| first=A |title=Palakkad roots that helped shape a US presidential hopeful |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/feb/24/palakkad-roots-that-helped-shape-a-us-prez-hopeful-2550327.html |access-date=March 2, 2023 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302001352/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/feb/24/palakkad-roots-that-helped-shape-a-us-prez-hopeful-2550327.html|archive-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Holzman |first1=Jael |last2=Freedman |first2=Andrew |title=The right's anti-ESG crusader |date=February 3, 2023 |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/02/03/right-anti-esg-crusader |website=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |access-date=February 10, 2023 |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324130601/https://www.axios.com/2023/02/03/right-anti-esg-crusader |url-status=live }}</ref> where the family had an ancestral home in a traditional [[agraharam]] in the town of [[Vadakkencherry]].<ref name =TOI>{{Cite web|title=As a Yale student, Vivek Ramaswamy was intrigued by a Palakkad court in Kerala|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/as-a-yale-student-vivek-ramaswamy-was-intrigued-by-a-palakkad-court-in-kerala/articleshow/98168148.cms|newspaper=Times of India|date=February 23, 2023|author=Govinda Prabhakaran|access-date=July 4, 2023|archive-date=July 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704164737/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/as-a-yale-student-vivek-ramaswamy-was-intrigued-by-a-palakkad-court-in-kerala/articleshow/98168148.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Satish/><ref name=Kaumudi>{{Cite news|title=37-year-old Malayali to become Republican candidate for the US presidential election|url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=1014148|date=February 24, 2023|access-date=July 4, 2022|publisher=[[Kerala Kaumudi]]|archive-date=July 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704144746/https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=1014148|url-status=live}}</ref>


Growing up, Ramaswamy often attended the local [[Hindu temple]] in [[Dayton, Ohio]], with his family.<ref name=nyt070923>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/09/us/vivek-ramaswamy-hindu-republican-christianj.html|date=July 9, 2023|title=Vivek Ramaswamy Leans Into His Hindu Faith to Court Christian Voters|first=Ruth|last=Graham|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=July 13, 2023|archive-date=July 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713041631/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/09/us/vivek-ramaswamy-hindu-republican-christianj.html|url-status=live|quote="a practicing Hindu. Mr. Ramaswamy said his faith taught him that Jesus was a son of God. Mr. Ramaswamy’s emphasis on his belief in one God has a long history for Hindus in the United States"}}</ref> His [[Christian conservativism|conservative Christian]] piano teacher, who gave him private lessons from elementary through high school, also influenced his social views.<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/> He spent many summer vacations traveling to India with his parents.<ref name =TOI/>
==Early life ==
Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy was born on August 9, 1985, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to [[Hindus|Hindu]] parents from India.<ref name="Kolhatkar">{{Cite magazine |last=Kolhatkar |first=Sheelah |date=December 12, 2022 |title=The C.E.O. of Anti-Woke, Inc. |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/12/19/vivek-ramaswamy-the-ceo-of-anti-woke-inc |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004112346/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/12/19/vivek-ramaswamy-the-ceo-of-anti-woke-inc |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Mufson" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Strimpel |first=Zoe |date=July 10, 2022 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy: 'Woke capitalism is a cultural cancer' |language=en-GB |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/07/10/vivek-ramaswamy-woke-capitalism-cultural-cancer/ |access-date=August 18, 2023 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818164951/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/07/10/vivek-ramaswamy-woke-capitalism-cultural-cancer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His father, Vadakanchery Ganapathy Ramaswamy, a graduate of the [[National Institute of Technology Calicut]], worked as an engineer for [[General Electric]], while his mother, Geetha Ramaswamy, a graduate of the [[Mysore Medical College & Research Institute]], worked as a [[geriatric psychiatrist]] for Merck and Schering-Plough.<ref name="Kolhatkar" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Phandis |first=Shilpa |date=August 11, 2017 |title=Indian-origin biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswarmy raises $1.1 billion |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/indian-origin-biotech-entrepreneur-vivek-ramaswamy-raises-1-1-billion/articleshow/60015177.cms |url-status=live |access-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107103130/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/indian-origin-biotech-entrepreneur-vivek-ramaswamy-raises-1-1-billion/articleshow/60015177.cms |archive-date=January 7, 2022}}</ref> His parents belong to the [[Tamils|Tamil]] [[Brahmin]] [[Kerala Iyer|Iyer]] <ref>{{Cite news |last=Pahwa |first=Nitish |date=May 15, 2023 |title=The Presidential Hopeful Running as a Younger, More "Anti-Woke" Trump |language=en-US |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/05/vivek-ramaswamy-assessment.html |access-date=August 18, 2023 |issn=1091-2339 |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818094936/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/05/vivek-ramaswamy-assessment.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Thomas F. |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Here's what's fueling the Ramaswamy boomlet |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/heres-whats-fueling-the-ramaswamy-boomlet/ |website=Courthouse News |access-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818164952/https://www.courthousenews.com/heres-whats-fueling-the-ramaswamy-boomlet/ |url-status=live }}</ref> community of [[Palakkad district]] in Kerala,<ref name="Satish">{{Cite web |last=Satish |first=A |date=February 24, 2023 |title=Palakkad roots that helped shape a US presidential hopeful|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/feb/24/palakkad-roots-that-helped-shape-a-us-prez-hopeful-2550327.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302001352/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/feb/24/palakkad-roots-that-helped-shape-a-us-prez-hopeful-2550327.html |archive-date=March 2, 2023 |access-date=March 2, 2023 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|last1=Holzman|first1=Jael|last2=Freedman |first2=Andrew |date=February 3, 2023 |title=The right's anti-ESG crusader |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/02/03/right-anti-esg-crusader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324130601/https://www.axios.com/2023/02/03/right-anti-esg-crusader |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |access-date=February 10, 2023 |website=[[Axios (website)|Axios]]}}</ref> where the family had an ancestral [[Agraharam]] home.<ref name=Satish/><ref name="TOI">{{Cite web |last=Prabhakaran |first=Govinda |date=February 23, 2023 |title=As a Yale student, Vivek Ramaswamy was intrigued by a Palakkad court in Kerala|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/as-a-yale-student-vivek-ramaswamy-was-intrigued-by-a-palakkad-court-in-kerala/articleshow/98168148.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704164737/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/as-a-yale-student-vivek-ramaswamy-was-intrigued-by-a-palakkad-court-in-kerala/articleshow/98168148.cms |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |access-date=July 4, 2023 |newspaper=[[Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Thomas F. |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Here's what's fueling the Ramaswamy boomlet |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/heres-whats-fueling-the-ramaswamy-boomlet/ |website=Courthouse News |access-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818164952/https://www.courthousenews.com/heres-whats-fueling-the-ramaswamy-boomlet/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Education==
Ramaswamy was raised in Ohio.<ref name="CincinnatiBC">{{Cite news |last=Wetterich |first=Chris |date=January 26, 2021 |title=A Look At the Race for Portman's Senate Seat |work=[[Cincinnati Business Courier]]|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/01/26/a-look-at-the-race-for-portmans-senate-seat-and-a.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129043856/https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/01/26/a-look-at-the-race-for-portmans-senate-seat-and-a.html |archive-date=November 29, 2022}}</ref> Growing up, Ramaswamy often attended the local [[Hindu temple]] in [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]] with his family.<ref name="nyt070923">{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Ruth |date=July 9, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Leans Into His Hindu Faith to Court Christian Voters |work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/09/us/vivek-ramaswamy-hindu-republican-christianj.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713041631/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/09/us/vivek-ramaswamy-hindu-republican-christianj.html |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |quote="a practicing Hindu. Mr. Ramaswamy said his faith taught him that Jesus was a son of God. Mr. Ramaswamy's emphasis on his belief in one God has a long history for Hindus in the United States"}}</ref> His [[Christian right|conservative Christian]] piano teacher, who gave him private lessons from elementary through high school, also influenced his social views.<ref name="Kolhatkar" /> He spent many summer vacations traveling to India with his parents.<ref name =TOI/> In high school, Ramaswamy was a nationally ranked tennis player.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/12/19/vivek-ramaswamy-the-ceo-of-anti-woke-inc|title=Vivek Ramaswamy, the C.E.O. of Anti-Woke, Inc.|date=December 12, 2022|website=www.newyorker.com|access-date=August 29, 2023|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004112346/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/12/19/vivek-ramaswamy-the-ceo-of-anti-woke-inc|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ramaswamy attended public schools through the [[eighth grade]].<ref name=FREOPP>{{cite news|url=https://freopp.org/freopp-leadership-vivek-ramaswamy-65179211d2cb|date=July 13, 2020|title=FREOPP Leadership: Vivek Ramaswamy|work=FREOPP|quote=" attended underfunded public schools through 8th grade"|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=November 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118140519/https://freopp.org/freopp-leadership-vivek-ramaswamy-65179211d2cb|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/> He then attended Cincinnati's [[St. Xavier High School (Cincinnati)|St. Xavier High School]], a [[Catholic school]] affiliated with the [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit order]],<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2023/02/22/vivek-ramaswamy-woke-inc-author-enters-white-house-race/69930766007/ |title=Vivek Ramaswamy, 'Woke, Inc.' author, St. Xavier grad, enters Republican presidential race |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=February 22, 2023 |website=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |access-date=March 25, 2023 |url-access=limited |quote=Ramaswamy is a native of Butler County and a graduate of St. Xavier High School in Finneytown. |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323060710/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2023/02/22/vivek-ramaswamy-woke-inc-author-enters-white-house-race/69930766007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> graduating in 2003.<ref name="St. X E-News 2015-07">{{cite mailing list|title=July 2015|mailing-list=St. Xavier High School E-news|first=Becky|last=Schulte|publisher=[[St. Xavier High School]] |date=July 25, 2015|access-date=July 26, 2015|url=http://www.stxavier.org/cf_enotify/view.cfm?n=1971}}</ref>
In 2007, Ramaswamy graduated from [[Harvard College]] with a [[Bachelor of Arts]], ''[[summa cum laude]]'', in biology, and was a member of [[Phi Beta Kappa]].<ref name=pdsoros20230222>{{cite web |title=Vivek Ramaswamy, 2011 |url=https://www.pdsoros.org/meet-the-fellows/vivek-ramaswamy |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website= |publisher=[[The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans]] |language= |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222033835/https://www.pdsoros.org/meet-the-fellows/vivek-ramaswamy |url-status=live }}</ref> At Harvard, he gained a reputation as a brash and confident [[libertarianism in the United States|libertarian]].<ref name=Weisman>Jonathan Weisman, [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy.html The Smooth-Talking Republican Who Would Rule by Fiat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173713/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy.html |date=June 27, 2023 }}, ''New York Times'' (May 5, 2023).</ref> He lived in [[Kirkland House]] and was a member of the [[Harvard Political Union]],<Ref name=Wood>Alexandra C. Wood, [https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/12/13/vivek-g-ramaswamy-if-you-think/ Vivek G. Ramaswamy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173725/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/12/13/vivek-g-ramaswamy-if-you-think/ |date=June 27, 2023 }}, ''Harvard Crimson'' (December 13, 2006).</ref> becoming its president.<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/> He told the ''[[The Harvard Crimson|Harvard Crimson]]'' that he considered himself a contrarian who loved to debate.<Ref name=Wood/> While in college, he performed [[Eminem]] [[Cover version|covers]] and libertarian-themed [[rap music]] under the [[stage name]] and [[alter-ego|alter ego]] Da Vek,<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/><Ref>Alex Isenstadt, [https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/26/vivek-ramaswamy-eminem-rap-00108137 Will the real Ramaswamy please stand up, please stand up], ''Politico'' (July 26, 2023).</ref> and was an intern for the [[hedge fund]] [[Amaranth Advisors]] and the investment bank [[Goldman Sachs]].<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/> He wrote his senior thesis on the ethical questions raised by creating human-animal [[Chimera (genetics)|chimera]]s and earned a [[Bowdoin Prizes|Bowdoin Prize]].<ref name=pdsoros20230222/> An [[op-ed]] by Ramaswamy summarizing his thesis was published by the ''[[Boston Globe]]'' and republished in the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]''.<ref>Vivek Ramaswamy, [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/16/opinion/16iht-edvivek.1.6676963.html The Chimera Question] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022135027/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/16/opinion/16iht-edvivek.1.6676963.html |date=October 22, 2021 }}, ''New York Times'' (July 16, 2007).</ref> In a 2023 interview, he also said that he was a member of the Jewish intellectual society [[Shabtai (society)|Shabtai]] in college.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Bradley |title=Ramaswamy: ‘I want to go even further than Trump on the Abraham Accords’ |url=https://www.jns.org/us-news/vivek-ramaswamy/23/7/31/306696/ |access-date=11 August 2023 |agency=Jewish News Syndicate |date=July 31, 2023}}</ref>


In 2011, Ramaswamy was awarded a post-graduate fellowship by [[the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans]].<ref name="Huffpo-May 4, 2023">{{cite news |last1=Moye |first1=David |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Campaign Insists Wikipedia Revisions Weren't A 'Scrub' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vivek-ramaswamy-wikipedia-revisions-comment_n_6453cc52e4b00eb7e63a0057 |access-date=May 5, 2023 |work=[[HuffPost]] |date=May 4, 2023 |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509123838/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vivek-ramaswamy-wikipedia-revisions-comment_n_6453cc52e4b00eb7e63a0057 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, he earned a [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] from [[Yale Law School]].<ref name=pdsoros20230222/> At that time, Ramaswamy was already wealthy from his involvement in the finance, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries; he said in 2023 that he had a net worth of around $15 million before graduating from law school.<ref name=Weisman/>
=== Education ===
Ramaswamy attended public schools through eighth grade.<ref name="Kolhatkar" /><ref name="FREOPP">{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2020 |title=FREOPP Leadership: Vivek Ramaswamy |url=https://freopp.org/freopp-leadership-vivek-ramaswamy-65179211d2cb |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118140519/https://freopp.org/freopp-leadership-vivek-ramaswamy-65179211d2cb |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=FREOPP |quote=" attended underfunded public schools through 8th grade"}}</ref> He then attended Cincinnati's [[St. Xavier High School (Cincinnati)|St. Xavier High School]], a [[Catholic school]] affiliated with the [[Jesuit order]],<ref name="Kolhatkar" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 22, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy, 'Woke, Inc.' author, St. Xavier grad, enters Republican presidential race |work=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2023/02/22/vivek-ramaswamy-woke-inc-author-enters-white-house-race/69930766007/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323060710/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2023/02/22/vivek-ramaswamy-woke-inc-author-enters-white-house-race/69930766007/ |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |quote=Ramaswamy is a native of Butler County and a graduate of St. Xavier High School in Finneytown.}}</ref> graduating as [[valedictorian]] in 2003.<ref name="Kolhatkar"/><ref name="St. X E-News 2015-07">{{Cite mailing list |url=http://www.stxavier.org/cf_enotify/view.cfm?n=1971 |title=July 2015 |date=July 25, 2015 |access-date=July 26, 2015 |mailing-list=St. Xavier High School E-news |last=Schulte |first=Becky |publisher=[[St. Xavier High School]] |archive-date=July 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726094209/http://www.stxavier.org/cf_enotify/view.cfm?n=1971 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
Ramaswamy received a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree (''[[summa cum laude]]'') with a major in biology from [[Harvard University]] in 2007.<ref name="pdsoros20230222">{{Cite web |title=Vivek Ramaswamy |year=2011|url=https://www.pdsoros.org/meet-the-fellows/vivek-ramaswamy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222033835/https://www.pdsoros.org/meet-the-fellows/vivek-ramaswamy |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |publisher=[[The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans]]}}</ref> He was a member of [[Phi Beta Kappa]]. At Harvard, he gained a reputation as a brash and confident [[libertarianism in the United States|libertarian]].<ref name="Weisman">{{Cite news |last=Weisman |first=Jonathan |date=May 5, 2023 |title=The Smooth-Talking Republican Who Would Rule by Fiat |language=en |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy.html|access-date=August 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173713/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy.html |archive-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref> He was a member of the [[Harvard Political Union]],<ref name="Wood">{{Cite news |last=Wood |first=Alexandra C. |date=December 13, 2006 |title=Vivek G. Ramaswamy |work=[[The Harvard Crimson]] |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/12/13/vivek-g-ramaswamy-if-you-think/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173725/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/12/13/vivek-g-ramaswamy-if-you-think/ |archive-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref> becoming its president.<ref name="Kolhatkar" /> He told ''[[The Harvard Crimson]]'' that he considered himself a contrarian who loved to debate.<ref name=Wood/> While in college, he performed [[Eminem]] covers and libertarian-themed rap music under the stage name and [[alter ego]] "Da Vek",<ref name="Kolhatkar" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Isenstadt |first=Alex |date=July 26, 2023 |title=Will the real Ramaswamy please stand up, please stand up |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/26/vivek-ramaswamy-eminem-rap-00108137 |website=[[Politico]] |access-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728192923/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/26/vivek-ramaswamy-eminem-rap-00108137 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sykes |first=Stefan |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Eminem tells GOP presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy to stop rapping his music |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/29/eminem-demands-vivek-ramaswamy-stop-rapping-lose-yourself.html |website=CNBC |access-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830031318/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/29/eminem-demands-vivek-ramaswamy-stop-rapping-lose-yourself.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and was an intern for [[Amaranth Advisors]], a [[hedge fund]], and investment bank [[Goldman Sachs]].<ref name="Kolhatkar" /> He wrote his senior thesis on the ethical questions raised by creating human-animal [[Chimera (genetics)|chimera]]s, earning him a [[Bowdoin Prize]].<ref name=pdsoros20230222/>
 
In 2011, Ramaswamy was awarded a postgraduate fellowship to attend law school by the [[Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans]].<ref name="pdsoros20230222"/> Ramaswamy later said that by the time he attended Yale Law School, he was already wealthy from his activities in the finance, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries; he said in 2023 that he had a net worth of around $15&nbsp;million before graduating from law school.<ref name=Weisman/> At Yale Law School, he befriended fellow Ohio native and future [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]] of the United States [[JD Vance]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pengelly |first=Martin |date=August 25, 2023 |title='He's an insider': Ramaswamy's deep ties to rightwing kingpins revealed |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/25/vivek-ramaswamy-rightwing-elite-close-ties-leonard-leo-peter-thiel |access-date=August 25, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825153626/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/25/vivek-ramaswamy-rightwing-elite-close-ties-leonard-leo-peter-thiel |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=pdsoros20230222/> He received a [[Juris Doctor]] degree from [[Yale University]] in 2013. In a 2023 interview, Ramaswamy said that he was a member of the campus [[Jewish]] intellectual discussion society [[Shabtai (society)|Shabtai]] while a law student.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Martin|first=Bradley|date=July 31, 2023|title=Ramaswamy: 'I want to go even further than Trump on the Abraham Accords'|agency=[[Jewish News Syndicate]]|url=https://www.jns.org/us-news/vivek-ramaswamy/23/7/31/306696/|access-date=August 11, 2023|archive-date=August 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811180954/https://www.jns.org/us-news/vivek-ramaswamy/23/7/31/306696/|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Business career==
==Business career==
===Early career===
===Early career===
In 2007, Ramaswamy and [[Travis May]] co-founded Campus Venture Network, which published a private social networking website for university students who aspired to launch a business.<ref name=bbj20080320>{{cite news |last=Lynch |first=Brendan |date=March 20, 2008 |title=Harvard Student Alum Launch Social Biz Site |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass-high-tech/2008/03/harvard-student-alum-launch-social-biz-site.html |access-date=May 20, 2023 |work=[[Boston Business Journal]] |publisher=[[American City Business Journals]] |url-access=subscription |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712175926/https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass-high-tech/2008/03/harvard-student-alum-launch-social-biz-site.html |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- source verified, by N2e on 20 May 2023 --> The company was sold in 2009 to the [[Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation]].<ref name=Ugolik>{{Cite web |last=Ugolik |first=Kaitlin |date=2015-09-08 |title=Axovant’s Vivek Ramaswamy Aims to Reinvent Dementia Treatment |url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/2bsuuj0ovingrd7s4m9z4/portfolio/axovants-vivek-ramaswamy-aims-to-reinvent-dementia-treatment |url-status=live |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Institutional Investor |language=en}}</ref>
In 2007, Ramaswamy and [[Travis May]] co-founded Campus Venture Network, which published a private [[Social networking service|social networking]] website for university students who aspired to launch a business.<ref name="bbj20080320">{{Cite news|last=Lynch|first=Brendan |date=March 20, 2008 |title=Harvard Student Alum Launch Social Biz Site |work=[[Boston Business Journal]] |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass-high-tech/2008/03/harvard-student-alum-launch-social-biz-site.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712175926/https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass-high-tech/2008/03/harvard-student-alum-launch-social-biz-site.html |archive-date=July 12, 2022}}</ref><!-- source verified, by N2e on 20 May 2023 --> The company was sold to the nonprofit [[Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation]] in 2009.<ref name="Ugolik2">{{Cite web |last=Ugolik |first=Kaitlin |date=September 8, 2015 |title=Axovant's Vivek Ramaswamy Aims to Reinvent Dementia Treatment |url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/2bsuuj0ovingrd7s4m9z4/portfolio/axovants-vivek-ramaswamy-aims-to-reinvent-dementia-treatment |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=Institutional Investor |language=en |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810224827/https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/2bsuuj0ovingrd7s4m9z4/portfolio/axovants-vivek-ramaswamy-aims-to-reinvent-dementia-treatment |url-status=live }}</ref>


Ramaswamy worked at the [[hedge fund]] QVT Financial from 2007 to 2014.<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/><ref name=forbes20150611>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2015/06/11/the-29-year-old-behind-the-giant-biotech-ipo-that-rose-by-75-speaks/|title=The 29 Year Old Behind The Giant Biotech IPO That Rose By 90% Speaks|first=Nathan|last=Vardi|website=Forbes|url-access=limited|date=June 11, 2015|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203053121/https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2015/06/11/the-29-year-old-behind-the-giant-biotech-ipo-that-rose-by-75-speaks/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=forbes20150927>{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2015/09/09/the-30-year-old-ceo-conjuring-drug-companies-from-thin-air/ |title=The 30-Year-Old CEO Conjuring Drug Companies From Thin Air |first=Nathan |last=Vardi |work=[[Forbes]] |date=September 27, 2015 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |url-access=limited |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307171220/https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2015/09/09/the-30-year-old-ceo-conjuring-drug-companies-from-thin-air/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=HowFortuneMade>Jonathan Weisman, Rebecca Robbins and Maureen Farrell, [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/27/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-wealth.html How Vivek Ramaswamy Made the Fortune Fueling His Presidential Run] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629143517/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/27/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-wealth.html |date=June 29, 2023 }}, ''New York Times'' (June 27, 2023).</ref> He was a partner and co-managed the firm's biotech portfolio.<ref name=forbes20150611/><ref name=forbes20150927/><ref name=Ugolik/> QVT's biotech investments under Ramaswamy included stakes in Palatin Technologies,<ref name=Ugolik/> Concert Pharmaceuticals,<ref name=Ugolik/> [[Pharmasset]],<ref name=Waddick>{{Cite web |last=Waddick |first=Karissa |date=2023-02-27 |title=Who is Vivek Ramaswamy the biotech entrepreneur turned presidential candidate? |url=https://www.pharmavoice.com/news/vivek-ramaswamy-2024-president-anti-woke-biotech-roivant/643559/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=PharmaVoice |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Krauskopf |first=Lewis |date=2011-11-21 |title=Gilead bets $11 billion on hepatitis in Pharmasset deal |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gilead-pharmasset-idUSTRE7AK0XU20111121 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-08-08}}</ref> and [[Martin Shkreli]]'s [[Retrophin]].<ref name=LippmanMay2023>{{Cite web|title=How Vivek Ramaswamy helped make Martin Shkreli the 'pharma bro' |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/23/vivek-ramaswamy-martin-shkreli-pharma-00098338 |date = May 23, 2023|author=Daniel Lippman|website=Politico|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2023 speech and in his book ''Woke Inc.'', Ramaswamy called Shkreli both "brilliant" and a [[pathological liar]], but criticized the U.S. Department of Justice for prosecuting him, calling Shkreli's fraud [[victimless crime|victimless]].<Ref name=LippmanMay2023/>
Ramaswamy worked at the [[hedge fund]] QVT Financial from 2007 to 2014.<ref name="Kolhatkar" /><ref name="forbes20150611">{{Cite web |last=Vardi |first=Nathan |date=June 11, 2015 |title=The 29 Year Old Behind The Giant Biotech IPO That Rose By 90% Speaks |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2015/06/11/the-29-year-old-behind-the-giant-biotech-ipo-that-rose-by-75-speaks/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203053121/https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2015/06/11/the-29-year-old-behind-the-giant-biotech-ipo-that-rose-by-75-speaks/ |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref><ref name="forbes20150927">{{Cite news |last=Vardi |first=Nathan |date=September 27, 2015 |title=The 30-Year-Old CEO Conjuring Drug Companies From Thin Air |work=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2015/09/09/the-30-year-old-ceo-conjuring-drug-companies-from-thin-air/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307171220/https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2015/09/09/the-30-year-old-ceo-conjuring-drug-companies-from-thin-air/ |archive-date=March 7, 2023}}</ref><ref name="HowFortuneMade">{{Cite news |last1=Weisman |first1=Jonathan |last2=Robbins |first2=Rebecca |last3=Farrell |first3=Maureen |date=June 27, 2023 |title=How Vivek Ramaswamy Made the Fortune Fueling His Presidential Run |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/27/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-wealth.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629143517/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/27/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-wealth.html |archive-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref> He was a partner and co-managed the firm's biotech portfolio.<ref name=forbes20150611/><ref name=forbes20150927/><ref name="Ugolik2"/> QVT's biotech investments under Ramaswamy included stakes in Palatin Technologies,<ref name="Ugolik2"/> Concert Pharmaceuticals,<ref name="Ugolik2"/> [[Pharmasset]],<ref name="Waddick">{{Cite web |last=Waddick |first=Karissa |date=February 27, 2023 |title=Who is Vivek Ramaswamy the biotech entrepreneur turned presidential candidate? |url=https://www.pharmavoice.com/news/vivek-ramaswamy-2024-president-anti-woke-biotech-roivant/643559/ |access-date=August 8, 2023 |website=PharmaVoice |language=en-US |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230521/https://www.pharmavoice.com/news/vivek-ramaswamy-2024-president-anti-woke-biotech-roivant/643559/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Krauskopf |first=Lewis |date=November 21, 2011 |title=Gilead bets $11 billion on hepatitis in Pharmasset deal |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gilead-pharmasset-idUSTRE7AK0XU20111121 |access-date=August 8, 2023 |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230650/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gilead-pharmasset-idUSTRE7AK0XU20111121 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Martin Shkreli]]'s [[Retrophin]].<ref name="LippmanMay2023">{{Cite web|last=Lippman|first=Daniel|date=May 23, 2023|title=How Vivek Ramaswamy helped make Martin Shkreli the 'pharma bro'|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/23/vivek-ramaswamy-martin-shkreli-pharma-00098338|website=[[Politico]]|access-date=August 23, 2023|archive-date=July 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728191719/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/23/vivek-ramaswamy-martin-shkreli-pharma-00098338|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2023 speech and in his book ''Woke Inc.'', Ramaswamy called Shkreli, whose company had greatly increased the cost of a life-saving drug, both "brilliant" and a [[pathological liar]]. He criticized the [[U.S. Department of Justice]] for prosecuting Shkreli, calling his fraud a [[victimless crime]].<ref name=LippmanMay2023/>


===Roivant Sciences and subsidiaries===
===Roivant Sciences and subsidiaries===
[[File:Vivek Ramaswamy at The Future of Biomedical Research in Europe Basel Conference 2017.jpg|thumb|right|Ramaswamy in 2017]]
[[File:Vivek Ramaswamy at The Future of Biomedical Research in Europe Basel Conference 2017 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Ramaswamy in 2017]]
In 2014, Ramaswamy founded the biotechnology firm [[Roivant Sciences]]; the "Roi" in the company's name refers to [[return on investment]].<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> The company was incorporated in [[Bermuda]], a [[tax haven]], and received almost $100 million in start-up capital from QVT and other investors,<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> including [[RA Capital Management]], [[Visium Asset Management]], and the hedge fund managers [[D. E. Shaw & Co.]] and Falcon Edge Capital.<ref name=Ugolik/> Roivant's strategy was to purchase patents from larger pharmaceutical companies for drugs that had not yet been successfully [[drug development|developed]], and then bring them to the market.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> The company created numerous subsidiaries,<ref name=Waddick/><ref>Peter Rudegeair & Angel Au-Yeung, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-anti-woke-presidential-candidate-who-wants-to-crush-esg-and-gut-the-fed-a486fdc The Anti-Woke Presidential Candidate Who Wants to Crush ESG and Gut the Fed], ''Wall Street Journal'' (May 27, 2023).</ref> including Dermavant (which focused on dermatology), Urovant (which focused on urological disease), and China-based Sinovant and Cytovant, which focused on the Asian market.<ref name=Waddick/><Ref>Amirah Al Idrus, [https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/here-comes-another-vant-one-s-focused-china Here comes another 'vant'—this one focused on China], ''Fierce Biotech'' (July 17, 2018).</ref>
 
In 2014, Ramaswamy founded the biotechnology firm [[Roivant Sciences]]; the "Roi" in the company's name refers to [[return on investment]].<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> The company was incorporated in [[Bermuda]], a [[tax haven]], and received almost $100&nbsp;million in start-up capital from QVT and other investors,<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> including [[RA Capital Management]], [[Visium Asset Management]], and the hedge fund managers [[D. E. Shaw & Co.]] and Falcon Edge Capital.<ref name="Ugolik2"/> Roivant's strategy was to purchase patents from larger pharmaceutical companies for drugs that had not yet been successfully [[drug development|developed]], and then bring them to the market.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> The company created numerous [[subsidiaries]],<ref name="Waddick" /><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Rudegeair |first1=Peter |last2=Au-Yeung |first2=Angel |date=May 27, 2023 |title=The Anti-Woke Presidential Candidate Who Wants to Crush ESG and Gut the Fed |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-anti-woke-presidential-candidate-who-wants-to-crush-esg-and-gut-the-fed-a486fdc |access-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811192241/https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-anti-woke-presidential-candidate-who-wants-to-crush-esg-and-gut-the-fed-a486fdc |url-status=live }}</ref> including Dermavant (focused on dermatology), Urovant (focused on urological disease), and China-based Sinovant and Cytovant, both focused on the Asian market.<ref name=Waddick/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Al Idrus |first=Amirah |date=July 17, 2018 |title=Here comes another 'vant' – this one focused on China |url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/here-comes-another-vant-one-s-focused-china |website=Fierce Biotech |access-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811192241/https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/here-comes-another-vant-one-s-focused-china |url-status=live }}</ref>


In 2015, Ramaswamy raised $360&nbsp;million for the Roivant subsidiary [[Axovant Sciences]] in an attempt to market [[intepirdine]] as a drug for [[Alzheimer's disease]].<ref name=forbes20150927/><ref name=forbes20150928/> In December 2014,<ref name=LaMotta>Lisa LaMotta, [https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/ramaswamy-has-no-regrets-about-axovant/517020/ Ramaswamy has no regrets about Axovant] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629150115/https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/ramaswamy-has-no-regrets-about-axovant/517020/ |date=June 29, 2023 }}, ''BiopharmaDive'' (February 13, 2018).</ref> Axovant purchased the patent for intepirdine from [[GlaxoSmithKline]] (where the drug had failed four previous [[clinical trial]]s) for $5 million, a small sum in the industry.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Ramaswamy appeared on the cover of [[Forbes|''Forbes'' magazine]] in 2015, and said his company would "be the highest return on investment endeavor ever taken up in the pharmaceutical industry."<ref name=HowFortuneMade/><ref name=forbes20150928>{{cite magazine |last1=Herper|first1=Matthew | last2=Vardi|first2=Nathan |title=Boy in the Bubble |url=https://www.forbes.com/video/4478510416001/inside-the-issue-september-28-2015/?sh=30decbf47491 |magazine=Forbes |location= |publisher= |date=September 28, 2015 |access-date=February 26, 2023}}</ref> Before new clinical trials began, he engineered an [[initial public offering]] in Axovant.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Axovant became a "[[Wall Street]] darling" and raised $315 million in its IPO.<ref name=LaMotta/> The company's market value initially soared to almost $3 billion, although at the time it only had eight employees, including Ramaswamy's brother and mother.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Ramaswamy took a massive payout after selling a portion of his shares in Roivant to [[Viking Global Investors]].<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> He claimed more than $37 million in [[capital gains]] in [[tax year]] 2015.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Ramaswamy said his company would be the "[[Berkshire Hathaway]] of drug development"<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/> and touted the drug as a "tremendous" opportunity that "could help millions" of patients, prompting some criticism that he was overpromising.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/>
In 2015, Ramaswamy raised $360&nbsp;million for the Roivant subsidiary [[Axovant Sciences]] in an attempt to market [[intepirdine]] as a drug for [[Alzheimer's disease]].<ref name=forbes20150927/><ref name=forbes20150928/> In December 2014,<ref name="LaMotta">{{Cite web |last=LaMotta |first=Lisa |date=February 13, 2018 |title=Ramaswamy has no regrets about Axovant |url=https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/ramaswamy-has-no-regrets-about-axovant/517020/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629150115/https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/ramaswamy-has-no-regrets-about-axovant/517020/ |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |website=BioPharmaDive}}</ref> Axovant purchased the patent for intepirdine from [[GlaxoSmithKline]] (where the drug had failed four previous [[clinical trial]]s) for $5&nbsp;million, a small sum in the industry.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Ramaswamy appeared on the cover of ''[[Forbes]]'' in 2015, and said his company would "be the highest return on investment endeavor ever taken up in the pharmaceutical industry."<ref name=HowFortuneMade/><ref name="forbes20150928">{{Cite magazine |last1=Herper |first1=Matthew |last2=Vardi |first2=Nathan |date=September 28, 2015 |title=Boy in the Bubble |url=https://www.forbes.com/video/4478510416001/inside-the-issue-september-28-2015/?sh=30decbf47491 |magazine=[[Forbes]] |access-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227023420/https://www.forbes.com/video/4478510416001/inside-the-issue-september-28-2015/?sh=30decbf47491 |url-status=live }}</ref> Before new clinical trials began, he engineered Axovant's [[initial public offering]] (IPO);<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> it became a "[[Wall Street]] darling" and raised $315&nbsp;million.<ref name=LaMotta/> The company's market value initially soared to almost $3&nbsp;billion, although at the time it only had eight employees, including Ramaswamy's brother and mother.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Ramaswamy took a massive payout after selling a portion of his shares in Roivant to [[Viking Global Investors]].<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> He claimed more than $37&nbsp;million in [[capital gains]] in 2015.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Ramaswamy said his company would be the "[[Berkshire Hathaway]] of drug development"<ref name="Kolhatkar" /> and touted the drug as a "tremendous" opportunity that "could help millions" of patients, prompting some criticism that he was overpromising.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/>


In September 2017, the company announced that intepirdine had failed in its large clinical trial.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/><ref>Damian Garde, [https://www.statnews.com/2017/09/26/axovant-intepirdine-trial/ Another Alzheimer’s failure: Axovant's drug flops in late-stage trial] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629151637/https://www.statnews.com/2017/09/26/axovant-intepirdine-trial/ |date=June 29, 2023 }}, ''Stat News'' (September 26, 2017).</ref> The company's value plunged; it lost 75% in one day and continued to decline afterward.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Shareholders who lost money included various [[institutional investors]], such as the [[California State Teachers' Retirement System]] [[pension fund]].<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Ramaswamy was insulated from much of Axovant's losses because he held his stake through Roivant.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/><ref name=LaMotta/> The company abandoned intepirdine. Ramaswamy said in 2018 had no regrets about how the company handled the drug;<ref name=LaMotta/> in subsequent years, he said that he regretted the outcome but was annoyed by criticism of the company.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Axovant attempted to reinvent itself as a [[gene therapy]] company,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Herper |first=Matthew |date=July 9, 2018 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy's Enzyvant Asks FDA To Approve Treatment For Dying Babies |work=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2018/07/09/vivek-ramaswamys-enzyvant-asks-fda-to-approve-treatment-for-dying-babies/?sh=5d2422fe1007 |url-access=limited |access-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223025634/https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2018/07/09/vivek-ramaswamys-enzyvant-asks-fda-to-approve-treatment-for-dying-babies/?sh=5d2422fe1007 |url-status=live }}</ref> but dissolved in 2023.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/>
In September 2017, the company announced that intepirdine had failed in its large clinical trial.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Garde |first=Damian |date=September 26, 2017 |title=Another Alzheimer's failure: Axovant's drug flops in late-stage trial |url=https://www.statnews.com/2017/09/26/axovant-intepirdine-trial/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629151637/https://www.statnews.com/2017/09/26/axovant-intepirdine-trial/ |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |website=Stat News}}</ref> The company's value plunged; it lost 75% in one day and continued to decline afterward.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Shareholders who lost money included various [[institutional investors]], such as the [[pension fund]] of the [[California State Teachers' Retirement System]].<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Ramaswamy was insulated from much of Axovant's losses because he held his stake through Roivant.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/><ref name=LaMotta/> The company abandoned intepirdine. In 2018, Ramaswamy said he had no regrets about how the company handled the drug.<ref name=LaMotta/> In subsequent years, he said he regretted the outcome but was annoyed by criticism of the company.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Axovant thereafter attempted to reinvent itself as a [[gene therapy]] company,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Herper |first=Matthew |date=July 9, 2018 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy's Enzyvant Asks FDA To Approve Treatment For Dying Babies |work=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2018/07/09/vivek-ramaswamys-enzyvant-asks-fda-to-approve-treatment-for-dying-babies/?sh=5d2422fe1007 |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223025634/https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2018/07/09/vivek-ramaswamys-enzyvant-asks-fda-to-approve-treatment-for-dying-babies/?sh=5d2422fe1007 |archive-date=February 23, 2023}}</ref> and dissolved in 2023.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/>


In 2017, Ramaswamy struck a deal with [[Masayoshi Son]] in which [[SoftBank]] invested $1.1 billion in Roivant.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> In 2019, Roivant sold its stake in five subsidiaries (or "vants"), including Enzyvant, to [[Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma]];<ref name=AlIdrus>Amirah Al Idrus, [https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/after-selling-off-most-vants-roivant-ceo-ramaswamy-moves-upstairs-to-executive-chair After selling off a clutch of Vants, Roivant CEO Ramaswamy moves upstairs to executive chair] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629151506/https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/after-selling-off-most-vants-roivant-ceo-ramaswamy-moves-upstairs-to-executive-chair |date=June 29, 2023 }}, ''Fierce Biotech'' (January 25, 2021).</ref><ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Ramaswamy made $175 million in capital gains from the sale.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> The deal also gave Sumitomo Dainippon a 10% stake in Roivant.<ref name="reuters"/><ref name=AlIdrus/>
In 2017, Roivant partnered with [[CPE (investment firm)|CITIC Private Equity]] of the Chinese [[State-owned enterprise|state-owned]] [[CITIC Group]] to form Sinovant.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Aronoff |first1=Kate|date=February 22, 2023 |title=GOP Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Who Used to Do Business With China, Wants to Ban Business With China |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/170733/vivek-ramaswamy-business-china-roivant |url-status=live |magazine=[[The New Republic]]|issn=0028-6583 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926061433/https://newrepublic.com/article/170733/vivek-ramaswamy-business-china-roivant |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |access-date=September 27, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Keown |first=Alex |date=July 17, 2018 |title=Roivant Launches New China-Based Startup Sinovant Sciences |url=https://www.biospace.com/article/roivant-launches-new-china-based-startup-sinovant-sciences/ |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926135417/https://www.biospace.com/article/roivant-launches-new-china-based-startup-sinovant-sciences/ |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |access-date=September 27, 2023|website=BioSpace |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carroll |first=John |date=July 17, 2018 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy strikes again, this time launching a Beijing-based biotech player with a pipeline |url=https://endpts.com/vivek-ramaswamy-strikes-again-this-time-launching-a-beijing-based-biotech-player-with-a-pipeline/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926175426/https://endpts.com/vivek-ramaswamy-strikes-again-this-time-launching-a-beijing-based-biotech-player-with-a-pipeline/ |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |access-date=September 27, 2023 |website=Endpoints News |language=en}}</ref> In 2017, Ramaswamy struck a deal with [[Masayoshi Son]] in which [[SoftBank]] invested $1.1&nbsp;billion in Roivant.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> In 2019, Roivant sold its stake in five subsidiaries (or "vants"), including Enzyvant, to [[Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma]];<ref name=HowFortuneMade/><ref name="AlIdrus">{{Cite web |last=Al Idrus|first=Amirah|date=January 25, 2021 |title=After selling off a clutch of Vants, Roivant CEO Ramaswamy moves upstairs to executive chair |url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/after-selling-off-most-vants-roivant-ceo-ramaswamy-moves-upstairs-to-executive-chair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629151506/https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/after-selling-off-most-vants-roivant-ceo-ramaswamy-moves-upstairs-to-executive-chair |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |website=Fierce Biotech}}</ref> Ramaswamy made $175&nbsp;million in capital gains from the sale.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> The deal also gave Sumitomo Dainippon a 10% stake in Roivant.<ref name=AlIdrus/><ref name="reuters" />


While campaigning for the presidency in 2023, Ramaswamy called himself a "scientist" and said, "I developed a number of medicines."<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> Although his undergraduate degree is in biology, he was never a scientist; his role in the biotechnology industry was that of a financier and entrepreneur.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/>
While campaigning for the presidency, Ramaswamy called himself a "scientist" and said, "I developed a number of medicines."<ref name=HowFortuneMade/>


In January 2021, Ramaswamy stepped down as CEO of Roivant Sciences and assumed the role of [[executive chairman]].<ref name=AlIdrus/><ref name="reuters">{{Cite news|date=January 25, 2021|title=Roivant Sciences founder to step down as CEO|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-roivant-ceo-idUSKBN29U1QY|access-date=July 5, 2021|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203053127/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-roivant-ceo-idUSKBN29U1QY|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, after he resigned as CEO, Roivant was listed on the [[Nasdaq]] via a [[reverse merger]] with Montes Archimedes Acquisition Corp, a [[special purpose acquisition vehicle]].<ref name=Hyatt>{{cite news|last=Hyatt|first=John|title=How Rich Is Vivek Ramaswamy, The Longshot GOP Presidential Candidate Who Helped Take Down Don Lemon?|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhyatt/2023/04/26/how-rich-is-vivek-ramaswamy-the-longshot-gop-presidential-candidate-who-helped-take-down-don-lemon/|work=[[Forbes]]|date=April 26, 2023|access-date=July 10, 2023|archive-date=July 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710015722/https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhyatt/2023/04/26/how-rich-is-vivek-ramaswamy-the-longshot-gop-presidential-candidate-who-helped-take-down-don-lemon/|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2023, Ramaswamy stepped down as chair of Roivant to focus on his presidential campaign.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/><ref name=Primack>Dan Primack, [https://www.axios.com/2023/06/16/vivek-ramaswamy-dei-esg-company "Anti-woke" Vivek Ramaswamy's former company has DEI initiatives] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627231544/https://www.axios.com/2023/06/16/vivek-ramaswamy-dei-esg-company |date=June 27, 2023 }}, ''Axios'' (June 16, 2023).</ref>
In January 2021, Ramaswamy stepped down as CEO of Roivant Sciences and assumed the role of [[executive chairman]].<ref name=AlIdrus/><ref name="reuters">{{Cite news |date=January 25, 2021 |title=Roivant Sciences founder to step down as CEO |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-roivant-ceo-idUSKBN29U1QY |url-status=live |access-date=July 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203053127/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-roivant-ceo-idUSKBN29U1QY |archive-date=February 3, 2023}}</ref> In 2021, after he resigned as CEO, Roivant was listed on the [[Nasdaq]] via a [[reverse merger]] with Montes Archimedes Acquisition Corp, a [[special purpose acquisition vehicle]].<ref name="Hyatt">{{Cite news |last=Hyatt |first=John |date=April 26, 2023 |title=How Rich Is Vivek Ramaswamy, The Longshot GOP Presidential Candidate Who Helped Take Down Don Lemon? |work=[[Forbes]]|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhyatt/2023/04/26/how-rich-is-vivek-ramaswamy-the-longshot-gop-presidential-candidate-who-helped-take-down-don-lemon/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710015722/https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhyatt/2023/04/26/how-rich-is-vivek-ramaswamy-the-longshot-gop-presidential-candidate-who-helped-take-down-don-lemon/ |archive-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> In February 2023, Ramaswamy stepped down as chair of Roivant to focus on his presidential campaign.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/><ref name="Primack">{{Cite web |last=Primack |first=Dan |date=June 16, 2023 |title="Anti-woke" Vivek Ramaswamy's former company has DEI initiatives|url=https://www.axios.com/2023/06/16/vivek-ramaswamy-dei-esg-company |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627231544/https://www.axios.com/2023/06/16/vivek-ramaswamy-dei-esg-company |archive-date=June 27, 2023|website=[[Axios (website)|Axios]]}}</ref>


Ramaswamy remains the sixth-largest shareholder of Roivant,<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> retaining a 7.17% stake.<ref name=Mufson>Steven Mufson, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/04/03/vivek-ramaswamy-2024-presidential-gop/ He wrote the book on crushing 'wokeism.' Now he's running for president.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528151303/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/04/03/vivek-ramaswamy-2024-presidential-gop/ |date=May 28, 2023 }}, ''Washington Post'' (April 3, 2023).</ref> Roivant has never been profitable.<ref name=Hyatt/>
Ramaswamy remains the sixth-largest shareholder of Roivant,<ref name=HowFortuneMade/> retaining a 7.17% stake.<ref name="Mufson">{{Cite news |last=Mufson |first=Steven |date=April 3, 2023 |title=He wrote the book on crushing 'wokeism.' Now he's running for president. |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/04/03/vivek-ramaswamy-2024-presidential-gop/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528151303/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/04/03/vivek-ramaswamy-2024-presidential-gop/ |archive-date=May 28, 2023}}</ref> During Ramaswamy's time running Roivant the company had never been profitable.<ref name=Hyatt/>


===Roivant Social Ventures===
===Roivant Social Ventures===
In 2020, when Ramaswamy was CEO of Roivant Sciences, the company established a [[nonprofit]] social-impact arm, Roivant Social Ventures (RSV), with his support. A prior iteration of RSV was the Roivant Foundation. Although Ramaswamy has centered his presidential campaign on crusading against corporate [[diversity, equity, and inclusion]] (DEI) and [[environmental, social, and corporate governance]] (ESG) initiatives, RSV worked in support of pro-DEI and ESG initiatives, including promoting [[health equity]] and diversity within the biopharma and biotech industries.<ref name=Primack/> In 2023, while seeking the Republican presidential nomination, he downplayed his role in creating and overseeing RSV.<ref name=Primack/>
In 2020, when Ramaswamy was CEO of Roivant Sciences, the company established a nonprofit social-impact arm, Roivant Social Ventures (RSV), with his support.<ref name=Primack/> An earlier iteration of RSV, the Roivant Foundation, was created in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Weingartner |first1=Tana |last2=Merritt |first2=Jennifer |date=November 26, 2018 |title=Children's Hospital Joins Forces With Swiss Company To Combat Sickle Cell Disease |work=WVXU |url=https://www.wvxu.org/health/2018-11-26/childrens-hospital-joins-forces-with-swiss-company-to-combat-sickle-cell-disease |access-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826154214/https://www.wvxu.org/health/2018-11-26/childrens-hospital-joins-forces-with-swiss-company-to-combat-sickle-cell-disease |url-status=live }}</ref> Although Ramaswamy's presidential campaign centers on opposing corporate [[diversity, equity, and inclusion]] (DEI) and [[environmental, social, and corporate governance]] (ESG) initiatives,<ref name="hilljan21">{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Jared |date=February 21, 2023 |title=Conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy announces GOP presidential bid |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3868741-conservative-entrepreneur-vivek-ramaswamy-announces-gop-presidential-bid/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224060919/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3868741-conservative-entrepreneur-vivek-ramaswamy-announces-gop-presidential-bid/ |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> RSV worked in support of pro-DEI and ESG initiatives, including promoting [[health equity]] and diversity within the biopharma and biotech industries.<ref name=Primack/> While campaigning, Ramaswamy has downplayed his role in creating and overseeing RSV.<ref name=Primack/>
 
===Strive Asset Management===
[[File:Vivek Ramaswamy (52588305419).jpg|thumb|Ramaswamy speaking in 2022]]
In early 2022, together with his high school friend [[Anson Frericks]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/21/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-profile/index.html|title=Vivek Ramaswamy made a splash on last month's debate stage. But does he have staying power?|first=Arit|last=John|date=September 21, 2023|website=CNN|access-date=September 26, 2023|archive-date=September 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926204122/https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/21/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-profile/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Ramaswamy co-founded Strive Asset Management, a [[Columbus, Ohio]]-based asset management firm.<ref name="InvestmentNewsMay2023">{{Cite news |last=Benjamin |first=Jeff |date=May 4, 2023 |title=Strive Asset Management fills leadership vacuum created by CEO's run for president |work=Investment News |url=https://www.investmentnews.com/strive-asset-management-fills-leadership-vacuum-created-by-ceos-run-for-president-237188 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729162233/https://www.investmentnews.com/strive-asset-management-fills-leadership-vacuum-created-by-ceos-run-for-president-237188 |url-status=live }}</ref> The firm raised about $20&nbsp;million from outside investors,<ref name=Hyatt/> including [[Peter Thiel]], [[JD Vance]], and [[Bill Ackman]].<ref name="Kolhatkar" /><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=O'Donnell |first=Kathie |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Manager backed by Thiel, Ackman to launch ETFs emphasizing excellence over politics |url=https://www.pionline.com/exchange-traded-funds/manager-backed-thiel-ackman-launch-etfs-emphasizing-excellence-over-politics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223012458/https://www.pionline.com/exchange-traded-funds/manager-backed-thiel-ackman-launch-etfs-emphasizing-excellence-over-politics |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2022 |website=Pensions & Investments}}</ref><ref name=PiperMay2023/>
 
Strive has branded itself as "[[anti-woke]]" and its funds as "anti-ESG"; Ramaswamy has claimed that the largest asset managers, such as [[BlackRock]], [[State Street Corporation|State Street]], and [[The Vanguard Group|Vanguard]], mix business with ESG politics to the detriment of their funds' investors.<ref name="Kolhatkar" /><ref name="WolmanFeb2023">{{Cite news |last=Wolman |first=Jordan |date=February 1, 2023 |title=The asset manager fighting ESG orthodoxy|language=en |work=[[Politico]] |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/the-long-game/2023/02/01/the-asset-manager-fighting-esg-orthodoxy-00080591 |url-status=live |access-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322215517/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/the-long-game/2023/02/01/the-asset-manager-fighting-esg-orthodoxy-00080591 |archive-date=March 22, 2023}}</ref><ref name="SlowingDeposits">{{Cite news|last=Ross Kerber |date=June 9, 2023 |title='Anti-ESG' funds face slowing deposits, Morningstar says |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/anti-esg-funds-face-slowing-deposits-morningstar-says-2023-06-08/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629141637/https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/anti-esg-funds-face-slowing-deposits-morningstar-says-2023-06-08/ |archive-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref>
 
Pension fund managers take account of ESG in the assessment of long-term risk, including [[climate risk]]s, when making portfolio decisions.<ref name="Kolhatkar" /><ref name="Silla">{{Cite web|last1=Brush|first1=Silla|last2=Kishan|first2=Saijel |date=September 1, 2022 |title=The Anti-ESG Crusader Who Wants to Pick a Fight With BlackRock |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-01/woke-inc-author-s-firm-targets-blackrock-esg-investing |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724162855/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-01/woke-inc-author-s-firm-targets-blackrock-esg-investing|archive-date=July 24, 2023 |access-date=February 10, 2023 |website=[[Bloomberg News]]}}</ref>  Ramaswamy has crusaded against ESG<ref name="auto1" /><ref name=Silla/> and emphasizes the doctrine of [[shareholder primacy]], famously articulated by [[Milton Friedman]].<ref name="Kolhatkar" /> In his book ''Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam'' and elsewhere, he has depicted private corporations' socially conscious investing as simultaneously ineffective and the greatest threat to American society.<ref name="Kolhatkar" /> He published a second book, ''Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence'', in September 2022, a few months before announcing his presidential candidacy.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Grand Old Party of Crybabies |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/09/12/republicans-victimhood-mythology-elections-00055908|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719011106/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/09/12/republicans-victimhood-mythology-elections-00055908 |archive-date=July 19, 2023}} (excerpt from ''Nation of Victims'' by Ramaswamy, republished in ''Politico Magazine'').</ref>
 
Strive's flagship fund, the [[exchange-traded fund]] DRLL, launched in 2022 as an "anti-woke" energy sector index fund.<ref name="FT20230224">{{Cite news |last1=Masters |first1=Brooke |last2=Temple-West |first2=Patrick |date=February 24, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy's fund manager Strive sticks to its 'anti-woke' mission |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c7ccc5ea-3e8f-49a1-b250-31365f4f33e0 |access-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-date=May 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513201517/https://www.ft.com/content/c7ccc5ea-3e8f-49a1-b250-31365f4f33e0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Strive20220810">{{Cite press release |title=Strive Launches U.S. Energy Index Fund (DRLL) to Deliver a New Shareholder Mandate to U.S. Energy Companies |date=August 10, 2022 |publisher=Strive Asset Management |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220810005508/en/Strive-Launches-U.S.-Energy-Index-Fund-DRLL-to-Deliver-a-New-Shareholder-Mandate-to-U.S.-Energy-Companies |access-date=August 30, 2023 |via=[[Business Wire]] |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830021439/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220810005508/en/Strive-Launches-U.S.-Energy-Index-Fund-DRLL-to-Deliver-a-New-Shareholder-Mandate-to-U.S.-Energy-Companies |url-status=live }}</ref> Ramaswamy said that Strive would push energy companies to drill for more oil, [[Fracking|frack]] for more natural gas, and "do whatever allows them to be most successful over the long run without regard to political, social, cultural or environmental agendas."<ref name="CNBC20230512">{{Cite news |last=Schwartz |first=Brian |date=May 12, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy's firm courts GOP officials as he pushes businesses to stay out of politics |work=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/12/vivek-ramaswamy-anti-woke-firm-courts-gop-leaders.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728210356/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/12/vivek-ramaswamy-anti-woke-firm-courts-gop-leaders.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
In October 2022, Ramaswamy held closed-door meetings with South Carolina lawmakers in a session arranged by [[Treasurer of South Carolina|state treasurer]] [[Curtis Loftis]]; during the meetings, Ramaswamy pitched Strive to manage South Carolina pension funds.<ref name="Fieseler">{{Cite web |last=Fieseler |first=Clare |date=June 29, 2023 |title=Behind closed doors in SC, Ramaswamy pushed private services during 'anti-woke' crusade |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/news/behind-closed-doors-in-sc-ramaswamy-pushed-private-services-during-anti-woke-crusade/article_b1355eac-ea98-11ed-8b91-6f17723ae01b.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704045454/https://www.postandcourier.com/news/behind-closed-doors-in-sc-ramaswamy-pushed-private-services-during-anti-woke-crusade/article_b1355eac-ea98-11ed-8b91-6f17723ae01b.html |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |access-date=July 4, 2023 |website=[[The Post and Courier]]}}</ref> In June 2023, after ''[[The Post and Courier]]'' reported on the meetings, the sessions were criticized as a form of unregistered lobbying; Ramaswamy's campaign manager denied any impropriety.<ref name=Fieseler/>
 
Ramaswamy was Strive's executive chairman<ref name="Kolhatkar" /><ref name="auto" /><ref name="PiperMay2023">{{Cite news |last=Piper |first=Jessica |date=May 14, 2023 |title=How Vivek Ramaswamy made a fortune before pivoting to politics|work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/14/how-vivek-ramaswamy-made-money-00096046 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629152403/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/14/how-vivek-ramaswamy-made-money-00096046 |archive-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref> before resigning in February 2023 to focus on his presidential campaign.<ref name=InvestmentNewsMay2023/><ref name="InvestmentNewsFeb2023">{{Cite news|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|date=February 22, 2023|title=Strive Asset Management chairman Vivek Ramaswamy resigns to run for president|work=Investment News|url=https://www.investmentnews.com/strive-asset-management-chairman-vivek-ramaswamy-resigns-to-run-for-president-234280|access-date=July 29, 2023|archive-date=July 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729162235/https://www.investmentnews.com/strive-asset-management-chairman-vivek-ramaswamy-resigns-to-run-for-president-234280|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Other ventures===
===Other ventures===
In 2020, Ramaswamy co-founded Chapter Medicare, a Medicare navigation platform.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Chapter Announces $17 Million Series A Round, led by Narya Capital and Peter Thiel with participation from existing investors |newspaper=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2021-09-21/chapter-announces-17-million-series-a-round-led-by-narya-capital-and-peter-thiel-with-participation-from-existing-investors|date=September 21, 2021 |via=[[Business Wire]] |access-date=August 17, 2022}}</ref> He served on the Ohio [[COVID-19]] Response Team.<ref name="Huffpo-May 4, 2023"/>
In 2020, Ramaswamy co-founded Chapter Medicare, a [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] navigation platform.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Chapter Announces $17 Million Series A Round, led by Narya Capital and Peter Thiel with participation from existing investors |date=September 21, 2021 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2021-09-21/chapter-announces-17-million-series-a-round-led-by-narya-capital-and-peter-thiel-with-participation-from-existing-investors |access-date=August 17, 2022 |newspaper=Bloomberg |via=[[Business Wire]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230720010253/https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2021-09-21/chapter-announces-17-million-series-a-round-led-by-narya-capital-and-peter-thiel-with-participation-from-existing-investors|archive-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref> He participated in the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio|Ohio COVID-19]] Response Team.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Novak |first1=Matt |title=Bharatpedia Editor Says They Were Paid To Change Vivek Ramaswamy’s Page |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattnovak/2023/05/03/Bharatpedia-editor-says-they-were-paid-to-change-vivek-ramaswamys-page/ |work=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
 
He was chairman of OnCore Biopharma, a position he maintained at [[Tekmira Pharmaceuticals]] when the two companies merged in March 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 11, 2015 |title=Canada's Tekmira to buy US-based OnCore Biopharma, focus on HBV treatment |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/oncore-ma-tekmira/canadas-tekmira-to-buy-us-based-oncore-biopharma-focus-on-hbv-treatment-idUSL3N0UR1EZ20150112 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629201224/https://www.reuters.com/article/oncore-ma-tekmira/canadas-tekmira-to-buy-us-based-oncore-biopharma-focus-on-hbv-treatment-idUSL3N0UR1EZ20150112 |archive-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref> He also was chair of the board of [[Arbutus Biopharma]], a Canadian firm.<ref name="Ugolik2"/>
 
In May 2024, Ramaswamy acquired a 7.7% stake in [[BuzzFeed]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chapman |first=Michelle |date=May 22, 2024 |title=Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy takes a 7.7% stake in BuzzFeed |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/22/vivek-ramaswamy-buzzfeed/61bf0e44-1838-11ef-97db-d9db0c732407_story.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> later increased to 8.4%, making him the second-largest [[Class A share|Class A]] shareholder in the company.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shapero|first=Julia|title=Ramaswamy calls for changes to BuzzFeed after acquiring activist stake|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4689985-ramaswamy-calls-for-changes-to-buzzfeed-after-acquiring-activist-stake/mlite/|work=The Hill|date=28 May 2024}}</ref> Soon after the acquisition, he sent a letter to the company's board of directors, in which he suggested they hire conservative [[pundits]] such as [[Candace Owens]], [[Tucker Carlson]], and [[Bill Maher]], as well as three "high-profile directors, with strong track business records in new media" whom he knew.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flynn |first=Kerry |date=May 28, 2024 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy calls for job cuts at BuzzFeed |url=https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2024/05/28/vivek-ramaswamy-buzzfeed-plan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528153608/https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2024/05/28/vivek-ramaswamy-buzzfeed-plan |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |access-date=June 3, 2024 |website=Axios}}</ref>
 
==Political career==
=== Early political involvement ===
Ramaswamy said that he voted for [[Michael Badnarik]], the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] presidential nominee in [[2004 United States presidential election|2004]], but did not vote in the presidential elections in [[2008 United States presidential election|2008]], [[2012 United States presidential election|2012]], or [[2016 United States presidential election|2016]].<ref name="WSJScrunity">{{Cite news |last=McCormick |first=John |date=August 7, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy's Rise in 2024 Field Brings Scrutiny Beyond Anti-Woke Record |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/vivek-ramaswamys-rise-in-2024-field-brings-scrutiny-beyond-anti-woke-record-88a5b635 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811184514/https://www.wsj.com/articles/vivek-ramaswamys-rise-in-2024-field-brings-scrutiny-beyond-anti-woke-record-88a5b635 |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |access-date=August 11, 2023 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> He described himself as apolitical during this period.<ref name="Popielarz">{{Cite web |last=Popielarz |first=Taylor |date=April 12, 2023 |title=Why Ohio entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is running for president |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/politics/2023/04/12/ohio-vivek-ramaswamy-president |website=Spectrum News 1 |access-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811184518/https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/politics/2023/04/12/ohio-vivek-ramaswamy-president |url-status=live }}</ref> He supported [[Donald Trump]] in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 election]].<ref name=WSJScrunity/><ref name=Popielarz/> In November 2021, Ramaswamy registered to vote in [[Franklin County, Ohio]], as "[[unaffiliated voter|unaffiliated]]", but described himself as a Republican.<ref name=WSJScrunity/>
 
Ramaswamy has made political contributions to both Democrats and Republicans. In 2016, he donated $2,700 to the campaign of [[Dena Grayson]], a Florida Democrat running for Congress.<ref name=WSJScrunity/> From 2020 to 2023, he donated $30,000 to the [[Ohio Republican Party]].<ref name=Waddick/> Ramaswamy considered running in the [[2022 United States Senate election in Ohio|2022 U.S. Senate election in Ohio]].<ref name="polfeb13">{{Cite web |last=Lippman |first=Daniel |date=February 13, 2023 |title=The 'CEO of Anti-Woke Inc.' Has His Eye on the Presidency |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/02/13/anti-woke-ramaswamy-2024-election-00082414 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322214103/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/02/13/anti-woke-ramaswamy-2024-election-00082414 |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |access-date=February 21, 2023 |website=[[Politico]] |language=en}}</ref>


He was chairman of OnCore Biopharma, a position he maintained at [[Tekmira Pharmaceuticals]] when the two companies merged in March 2015.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/oncore-ma-tekmira/canadas-tekmira-to-buy-us-based-oncore-biopharma-focus-on-hbv-treatment-idUSL3N0UR1EZ20150112 Canada's Tekmira to buy US-based OnCore Biopharma, focus on HBV treatment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629201224/https://www.reuters.com/article/oncore-ma-tekmira/canadas-tekmira-to-buy-us-based-oncore-biopharma-focus-on-hbv-treatment-idUSL3N0UR1EZ20150112 |date=June 29, 2023 }}, Reuters (January 11, 2015).</ref> He also was chair of the board of [[Arbutus Biopharma]], a Canadian firm.<ref name=Ugolik/>
=== 2024 presidential campaign ===
{{Main|Vivek Ramaswamy 2024 presidential campaign}}
[[File:Vivek Ramaswamy with supporters (53459278583).jpg|thumb|Ramaswamy speaks with supporters at a town hall in [[Des Moines, Iowa]].]]
On February 21, 2023, Ramaswamy declared his candidacy for the [[2024 Republican Party presidential primaries|Republican nomination for president of the United States in 2024]] on ''[[Tucker Carlson Tonight]]''.<ref name="nytfeb2023">{{Cite news |last=Astor |first=Maggie |date=February 22, 2023 |title=A Wealthy 'Anti-Woke' Activist Joins the 2024 Presidential Field |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-presidential-candidate-2024.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322102134/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-presidential-candidate-2024.html |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He publicly released 20 years of his individual [[Tax return (United States)|income tax returns]] and called upon his rivals in the primary to do the same.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/><ref name=PiperMay2023/> His fortune had made up the vast majority of his campaign's fundraising.<ref name=Hyatt/> From February to July 2023, Ramaswamy loaned his campaign more than $15&nbsp;million; his campaign ended the second quarter of 2023 with about $9&nbsp;million in cash on hand.<ref name="Shapero">{{Cite news |last=Shapero |first=Julia |date=July 15, 2023 |title=Ramaswamy's second quarter haul includes $5 million in self-donated funds |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4099716-ramaswamys-second-quarter-haul-includes-5-million-in-self-donated-funds/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805174233/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4099716-ramaswamys-second-quarter-haul-includes-5-million-in-self-donated-funds/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His fundraising lagged far behind Donald Trump's and [[Ron DeSantis]]'s, but exceeded most of the other Republican primary candidates'.<ref name=Shapero/>


===Anti-ESG/"anti-woke" activism and Strive Asset Management===
During his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, Ramaswamy sought to appeal to [[evangelicalism in the United States|evangelical]] [[Christian right]] and [[Christian nationalist]] voters, an important part of the Republican [[Base voter|base]], some of whom are reluctant or unwilling to support a non-Christian presidential candidate such as Ramaswamy, who is [[Hindu]].<ref name=nyt070923/> In campaign stops and interviews, Ramaswamy had criticized [[secularism]],<ref name="nyt070923" /> saying that the U.S. was founded on [[Christian values]]<ref name="nyt070923" /> or [[Judeo-Christian values]];<ref name="Dickinson">{{Cite magazine |last=Dickinson |first=Tim |date=July 28, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Is On the Rise. So Are Christian Nationalist Attacks on His Religion |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/vivek-ramaswamy-religion-under-attack-christian-nationalists-1234796575/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731190337/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/vivek-ramaswamy-religion-under-attack-christian-nationalists-1234796575/ |url-status=live }}</ref> that he shares those values;<ref name="nyt070923" /><ref name="Dickinson" /> and that he [[God in Hinduism#Monotheism|believes in one God]].<ref name=nyt070923/> While campaigning, Ramaswamy called himself an "unapologetic American nationalist";<ref name="Booker">{{Cite web |last=Booker |first=Brakkton |date=June 6, 2023 |title=Ramaswamy Flaunts 'tongue in Cheek' Non-White Nationalism|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/06/vivek-ramaswamy-gop-nationalist-00100395 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721135627/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/06/vivek-ramaswamy-gop-nationalist-00100395|archive-date=July 21, 2023 |website=[[Politico]]}}</ref> he often attacked DeSantis but avoided directly criticizing Trump.<ref name=Booker/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Allison |first=Natalie |date=June 6, 2023|title=Ramaswamy: 'I don't have a particular personal beef with DeSantis at all' |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/05/ramaswamy-desantis-interview-buttigieg-2024-00100275 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629072452/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/05/ramaswamy-desantis-interview-buttigieg-2024-00100275 |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |website=[[Politico]]}}</ref>
In early 2022, Ramaswamy co-founded Strive Asset Management, a [[Columbus, Ohio]]-based asset management firm.<ref name=InvestmentNewsMay2023>Jeff Benjamin, [https://www.investmentnews.com/strive-asset-management-fills-leadership-vacuum-created-by-ceos-run-for-president-237188 Strive Asset Management fills leadership vacuum created by CEO's run for president], ''Investment News'' (May 4, 2023).</ref> The firm raised about $20 million from outside investors,<ref name=Hyatt/> including [[Peter Thiel]], [[J. D. Vance]], and [[Bill Ackman]].<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/><ref>{{cite web |last=O'Donnell |first=Kathie |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Manager backed by Thiel, Ackman to launch ETFs emphasizing excellence over politics |url=https://www.pionline.com/exchange-traded-funds/manager-backed-thiel-ackman-launch-etfs-emphasizing-excellence-over-politics |access-date=July 25, 2022 |website=Pensions & Investments |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223012458/https://www.pionline.com/exchange-traded-funds/manager-backed-thiel-ackman-launch-etfs-emphasizing-excellence-over-politics |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=PiperMay2023/>
[[File:Trump UFC 2024.jpg|thumb|Ramaswamy at a UFC fight in November 2024, with President-elect Donald Trump and [[Elon Musk]]]]
In May 2023, Ramaswamy's campaign admitted that he had [[Conflict-of-interest editing on Bharatpedia|paid an editor]] to alter his [[Bharatpedia]] biography before announcing his candidacy, but denied that the payment for edits was politically motivated.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/vivek-ramaswamy-pay-flattering-Bharatpedia-gop-debate-viral-1822174|title=Did Vivek Ramaswamy pay for a "flattering" Bharatpedia? What we know |first=Tom |last=Norton |date=August 24, 2023 |website=Newsweek}}</ref><ref name="Huffpo-May 4, 2023">{{Cite news |last=Moye |first=David |date=May 4, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Campaign Insists Bharatpedia Revisions Weren't A 'Scrub' |work=[[HuffPost]] |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vivek-ramaswamy-Bharatpedia-revisions-comment_n_6453cc52e4b00eb7e63a0057|url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509123838/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vivek-ramaswamy-Bharatpedia-revisions-comment_n_6453cc52e4b00eb7e63a0057 |archive-date=May 9, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Bernstein 22 Aug">{{cite news |last1=Bernstein |first1=Brittany |title=Ramaswamy Paid Bharatpedia Editor to Delete Reference to Harvard Vaccine Scientist 'Mentor' Days before Announcing Campaign |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/ramaswamy-paid-Bharatpedia-editor-to-delete-reference-to-harvard-vaccine-scientist-mentor-days-before-announcing-campaign/ |work=National Review |date=August 22, 2023 |access-date=September 24, 2023 |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920222956/https://www.nationalreview.com/news/ramaswamy-paid-Bharatpedia-editor-to-delete-reference-to-harvard-vaccine-scientist-mentor-days-before-announcing-campaign/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Thakker 1 Nov">{{cite magazine |last1=Thakker |first1=Prem |last2=Otten |first2=Tori |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Paid Bharatpedia Editors to Erase His Soros Fellowship and Covid Work |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/172402/vivek-ramaswamy-paid-someone-scrub-Bharatpedia-page |magazine=The New Republic |date=November 1, 2022 |access-date=September 24, 2023 |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926230421/https://newrepublic.com/post/172402/vivek-ramaswamy-paid-someone-scrub-Bharatpedia-page |url-status=live }}</ref> The edits to the Bharatpedia biography removed references to Ramaswamy's postgraduate fellowship from the [[Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans]], as well as his involvement with the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio|Ohio COVID-19]] Response Team.<ref name="Huffpo-May 4, 2023" /><ref name="Bernstein 22 Aug" /> [[Paul Soros|Paul]] and [[Daisy Soros]] are the elder brother and sister-in-law, respectively, of businessman and social activist [[George Soros]], who has been the subject of numerous [[George Soros conspiracy theories|conspiracy theories]] among American conservatives and rightists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moye |first=David |date=May 3, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Paid To Get Soros Connection Erased From Bharatpedia Page |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vivek-ramaswamy-Bharatpedia-editor_n_6452957de4b029f56a146123|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524084342/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vivek-ramaswamy-Bharatpedia-editor_n_6452957de4b029f56a146123 |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=HuffPost}}</ref><ref name="Bernstein 22 Aug" /> Ramaswamy's campaign denied attempting to "scrub" his Bharatpedia page and argued the edits were revisions of "factual distortions".<ref name="Huffpo-May 4, 2023" /><ref name="Bernstein 22 Aug" />


Strive has positioned itself as an "anti-woke" and "anti-ESG" fund; Ramaswamy has criticized larger asset managers such as [[BlackRock]], [[State Street Corporation|State Street]], and [[The Vanguard Group|Vanguard]], alleging that their ESG activities mix business with politics and disadvantage shareholders.<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/><ref name=WolmanFeb2023>{{Cite news|last=Wolman|first=Jordan|date=February 1, 2023|title=The asset manager fighting ESG orthodoxy|language=en|website=[[Politico]]|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/the-long-game/2023/02/01/the-asset-manager-fighting-esg-orthodoxy-00080591|access-date=February 9, 2023|archive-date=March 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322215517/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/the-long-game/2023/02/01/the-asset-manager-fighting-esg-orthodoxy-00080591|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=SlowingDeposits>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/anti-esg-funds-face-slowing-deposits-morningstar-says-2023-06-08/|work=Reuters|title='Anti-ESG' funds face slowing deposits, Morningstar says|author=Ross Kerber|date=June 9, 2023|access-date=June 29, 2023|archive-date=June 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629141637/https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/anti-esg-funds-face-slowing-deposits-morningstar-says-2023-06-08/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In January, after finishing fourth in the [[2024 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses|Iowa caucuses]], Ramaswamy ended his campaign and endorsed Trump.<ref name="Pellish Collins 2024 p552">{{cite web | last1=Pellish | first1=Aaron | last2=Collins | first2=Kaitlan | title=Vivek Ramaswamy ends presidential campaign | website=CNN | date=2024-01-16 | url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/15/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-ends-presidential-campaign?cid=ios_app | access-date=2024-01-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weisman |first=Jonathan |date=January 15, 2024 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy, Wealthy Political Novice Who Aligned With Trump, Quits Campaign |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/15/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-drops-out.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116042653/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/15/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-drops-out.html |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> For the remainder of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Ramaswamy served the Trump campaign as a political surrogate,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goddard |first=Taegan |authorlink=Political Wire |title=Surrogate |website=Taegan's Political Dictionary |date=September 7, 2024 |url=https://politicaldictionary.com/words/surrogate/ |access-date=2024-09-20}}</ref> representing the Trump campaign and attending campaign events in place of the candidate.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Inskeep |first=Steve |date=August 13, 2024 |title=Ex-GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy calls for a reset of the Trump campaign |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/08/13/nx-s1-5072633/ex-gop-presidential-candidate-vivek-ramaswamy-calls-for-a-reset-of-the-trump-campaign |access-date=2024-09-20 |work=NPR News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Godfrey |first=Elaine |date=September 20, 2024 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Has a Solution for Springfield |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/09/ramaswamy-springfield-ohio-immigrants/679973/ |access-date=2024-09-20 |magazine=The Atlantic}}</ref>


Pension-fund managers use ESG to evaluate long-term risk, including [[climate risk]]s, in assessing portfolio and business decisions.<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/><ref name=Silla>{{cite web |last=Brush, Silla |first=Kishan, Saijel |title=The Anti-ESG Crusader Who Wants to Pick a Fight With BlackRock |date=September 1, 2022 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-01/woke-inc-author-s-firm-targets-blackrock-esg-investing |website=[[Bloomberg News]] |access-date=February 10, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724162855/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-01/woke-inc-author-s-firm-targets-blackrock-esg-investing |url-status=live }}</ref> Ramaswamy has crusaded against ESG,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holzman |first1=Jael |last2=Freedman |first2=Andrew |title=The right's anti-ESG crusader |date=February 3, 2023 |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/02/03/right-anti-esg-crusader |website=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |access-date=February 10, 2023 |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324130601/https://www.axios.com/2023/02/03/right-anti-esg-crusader |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Silla/> and emphasizes the doctrine of "[[shareholder primacy]]" first articulated by [[Milton Friedman]].<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/> In his book ''Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam'' and elsewhere, he has depicted private corporations' socially conscious investing as simultaneously ineffective and the greatest threat to American society.<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/> He published a second book, ''Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence'', in September 2022, a few months before announcing his presidential candidacy.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/09/12/republicans-victimhood-mythology-elections-00055908 The Grand Old Party of Crybabies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719011106/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/09/12/republicans-victimhood-mythology-elections-00055908 |date=July 19, 2023 }} (excerpt from ''Nation of Victims'' by Ramaswamy, republished in ''Politico Magazine'').</ref>
=== Department of Government Efficiency ===
A week after the 2024 election, President-elect [[Donald Trump]] announced that Ramaswamy and businessman [[Elon Musk]] had been tasked to lead the newly proposed [[Department of Government Efficiency]] (DOGE).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=Trump says Elon Musk will lead Department of Government Efficiency with Vivek Ramaswamy |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/trump-says-elon-musk-will-lead-department-government-efficiency-vivek-rcna179899 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> However, Ramaswamy never worked with the DOGE team during the Trump administration, as on Inauguration Day, he dropped out of DOGE to focus on a potential [[2026 Ohio gubernatorial election|2026 Ohio gubernatorial campaign]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-20 |title=Ramaswamy won't serve on Trump's government efficiency commission as he mulls run for Ohio governor |url=https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-doge-ohio-governor-musk-trump-328400a5cc47adde8dd97eb628d18164 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> The departure was reportedly due to friction between Ramaswamy and other DOGE leadership and staff, as well as Ramaswamy stating American work culture "venerated mediocrity over excellence".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-21 |title=Ramaswamy forced out of DOGE by Musk after calling US workers 'mediocre,' report says |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/ramaswamy-trump-musk-department-of-government-efficiency-b2683213.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-20 |title='Everyone wants him out': How Musk helped boot Ramaswamy from DOGE |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/20/doge-musk-helped-eject-ramaswamy-00199487 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Jacobs |first1=Jennifer |last2=Jiang |first2=Weijia |last3=Gómez |first3=Fin |date=2025-01-19 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy expected to depart DOGE - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vivek-ramaswamy-expected-to-depart-doge/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>


In January 2023, Strive launched a proxy advisory service to compete with such mainstream firms as [[Glass Lewis]] and [[Institutional Shareholder Services]].<ref name=WolmanFeb2023/> As of June 2023, Strive's total [[assets under management]] were approximately $750 million; net new deposits into Strive and two dozen other anti-ESG funds had slowed.<ref name=SlowingDeposits/>
===2026 Ohio gubernatorial election===
On February 15, 2025, Ramaswamy filed to enter the [[2026 Ohio gubernatorial election]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/5147700-ramaswamy-files-campaign-paperwork-for-anticipated-ohio-governor-bid/ |title=Ramaswamy files campaign paperwork for anticipated Ohio governor bid |date=February 15, 2024 |last=Zehra |first=Ailia |work=[[The Hill (magazine)|The Hill]] |access-date=February 15, 2025}}</ref> He officially announced his run on February 24.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2025 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Declares Candidacy for Ohio Governor|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/vivek-ramaswamy-declares-candidacy-for-ohio-governor/ |access-date=February 24, 2025 |website=[[National Review]] |language=en}}</ref> On the same day, when Ramaswamy launched his campaign for Ohio governorship, he got the crucial endorsement from President Donald Trump, who posted “Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country, He will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, will never let you down, and has my COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!”<ref name="AP20250228">{{Cite news |last=Smyth |first=Julie Carr |date=February 28, 2025 |title=Trump's early backing of Ramaswamy for Ohio governor seen by some as meant to avoid a nasty primary|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2026-ohio-governor-ramaswamy-trump-endorsement-a650e8cb0a82917f0a364f5be0b6b70f |access-date=February 28, 2025 |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |language=en}}</ref>


In October 2022, Ramaswamy held closed-door meetings with South Carolina lawmakers in a session arranged by [[Treasurer of South Carolina|state treasurer]] [[Curtis Loftis]]; during the meetings, Ramaswamy pitched Strive to manage South Carolina pension funds.<ref name=Fieseler>{{cite web |last1=Fieseler |first1=Clare |title=Behind closed doors in SC, Ramaswamy pushed private services during 'anti-woke' crusade |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/news/behind-closed-doors-in-sc-ramaswamy-pushed-private-services-during-anti-woke-crusade/article_b1355eac-ea98-11ed-8b91-6f17723ae01b.html |website=[[The Post and Courier]] |access-date=July 4, 2023 |date=June 29, 2023 |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704045454/https://www.postandcourier.com/news/behind-closed-doors-in-sc-ramaswamy-pushed-private-services-during-anti-woke-crusade/article_b1355eac-ea98-11ed-8b91-6f17723ae01b.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2023, after ''[[The Post and Courier]]'' reported on the meetings, the sessions were criticized as a form of unregistered lobbying; Ramaswamy's campaign manager denied any impropriety.<ref name=Fieseler/>
According to political analysts, President Trump's early backing of Ramaswamy's candidature for Ohio governor is expected to immensely help his campaign and likely aimed to avoid a rough primary in Ohio.<ref name="AP20250228"/> Ramaswamy also got support from President Trump's senior adviser Elon Musk, who posted on social platform X “Good luck, you have my full endorsement,” quoting Ramaswamy’s video announcing his run for Ohio governorship.<ref name = "Trump-Musk-Ram">{{Cite web |date=February 25, 2025 |title=Trump, Musk endorse Ramaswamy in Ohio governor's race|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/28/election-2026-ohio-governor-ramaswamy-trump-endorsement/a516b6ea-f5d4-11ef-acb5-08900d482a27_story.html |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=The Hill |language=en| quote=" President Trump and his senior adviser Elon Musk have thrown their support behind former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial bid in Ohio."}}</ref> On May 9, 2025, Ramaswamy received the official endorsement of the [[Ohio Republican Party]]'s State Central Committee, marking the earliest the state Republican Party has ever endorsed a non-incumbent gubernatorial candidate.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Skolnick |first1=David |title=Ohio GOP backs Ramaswamy for governor year before primary |url=https://www.vindy.com/news/local-news/2025/05/ohio-gop-backs-ramaswamy-for-governor-year-before-primary/ |website=[[The Vindicator (Ohio newspaper)|The Vindicator]] |date=May 10, 2025 |access-date=May 15, 2025}}</ref><ref name="AP-5-2025">{{Cite news |last=Smyth |first=Julie |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Trump-backed Vivek Ramaswamy wins Ohio Republican Party’s endorsement in 2026 governor’s race |url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2026-ohio-governor-vivek-ramaswamy-98be2b8f1a94e99f14b370e145e2939c |access-date=July 17, 2025 |work=Associated Press}}</ref>


Ramaswamy was Strive's executive chairman<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/><ref>{{cite web |last=O'Donnell |first=Kathie |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Manager backed by Thiel, Ackman to launch ETFs emphasizing excellence over politics |url=https://www.pionline.com/exchange-traded-funds/manager-backed-thiel-ackman-launch-etfs-emphasizing-excellence-over-politics |access-date=July 25, 2022 |website=Pensions & Investments |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223012458/https://www.pionline.com/exchange-traded-funds/manager-backed-thiel-ackman-launch-etfs-emphasizing-excellence-over-politics |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=PiperMay2023>Jessica Piper, [https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/14/how-vivek-ramaswamy-made-money-00096046 How Vivek Ramaswamy made a fortune before pivoting to politics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629152403/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/14/how-vivek-ramaswamy-made-money-00096046 |date=June 29, 2023 }}, ''Politico'' (May 14, 2023).</ref> until resigning in February 2023 to focus on his presidential campaign.<ref name=InvestmentNewsMay2023/><ref name=InvestmentNewsFeb2023>Jeff Benjamin, [https://www.investmentnews.com/strive-asset-management-chairman-vivek-ramaswamy-resigns-to-run-for-president-234280 Strive Asset Management chairman Vivek Ramaswamy resigns to run for president], ''Investment News'' (February 22, 2023).</ref>
On January 6, 2026, Ramaswamy announced that he had selected Ohio State Senate President [[Rob McColley]] as his running mate for lieutenant governor.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gomez |first1=Henry J. |title=Vivek Ramaswamy taps Ohio state Senate president as his running mate in campaign for governor |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/vivek-ramaswamy-taps-ohio-state-senate-president-running-mate-campaign-rcna252681 |website=[[NBC News]] |date=January 6, 2026 |access-date=January 6, 2026}}</ref> On January 7, [[Governor of Ohio|Ohio Governor]] [[Mike DeWine]] endorsed Ramaswamy's candidacy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Balmert |first1=Jessie |title=Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine endorses Vivek Ramaswamy as successor |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/07/gov-mike-dewine-endorses-vivek-ramaswamy-for-governor/87395826007/ |website=[[The Columbus Dispatch]] |date=January 7, 2026 |access-date=January 7, 2026}}</ref>


==Presidential campaign (2023–present)==
Later that month, Ramaswamy’s campaign ended its contract with a private security firm after a bodyguard assigned to his family was arrested on federal drug trafficking charges; it was later disclosed that several guards provided by the firm were not properly licensed to work as armed security in Ohio.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pelzer |first1=Jeremy |title=Bodyguards for GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy didn’t have required Ohio licenses |url=https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/01/bodyguards-for-gop-gubernatorial-candidate-vivek-ramaswamy-didnt-have-required-ohio-licenses.html |website=[[The Plain Dealer]] |date=January 16, 2026 |access-date=January 17, 2026}}</ref>
{{Main|Vivek Ramaswamy 2024 presidential campaign}}
=== Early political involvement ===
Ramaswamy said that he voted for the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] presidential nominee in [[2004 United States presidential election|2004]] but did not vote in the [[2008 United States presidential election|presidential elections in 2008]], [[2012 United States presidential election|2012]], or [[2016  United States presidential election|2016]].<ref name=WSJScrunity>John McCormick, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/vivek-ramaswamys-rise-in-2024-field-brings-scrutiny-beyond-anti-woke-record-88a5b635 Vivek Ramaswamy's Rise in 2024 Field Brings Scrutiny Beyond Anti-Woke Record], ''Wall Street Journal'' (August 7, 2023).</ref> He described himself as "apolitical" during this period.<ref name=Popielarz>Taylor Popielarz, [https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/politics/2023/04/12/ohio-vivek-ramaswamy-president Why Ohio entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is running for president], (April 12, 2023).</ref> He supported [[Donald Trump]] in the 2020 election.<ref name=WSJScrunity/><ref name=Popielarz/>


In November 2021, he registered to vote in [[Franklin County, Ohio]], as "[[unaffiliated voter|unaffiliated]]", but described himself as a Republican.<ref name=WSJScrunity/> Ramaswamy has made political contributions to both Democrats and Republicans. From 2020 to 2023, he donated $30,000 to the [[Ohio Republican Party]].<ref name=Waddick/> In 2014, he donated $500 to a Democratic candidate running for the [[Massachusetts State Senate]] with the endorsement of [[Elizabeth Warren]]. In 2016, he donated $2,700 to the campaign of [[Dena Grayson]], a Florida Democrat running for Congress.<ref name=WSJScrunity/>
== Political positions ==
{{Main|Vivek Ramaswamy 2024 presidential campaign#Political positions}}


Before running for president, Ramaswamy considered running in the [[2022 United States Senate election in Ohio|2022 election for U.S. Senate in Ohio]].<ref name="polfeb13">{{Cite web |last=Lippman |first=Daniel |date=February 13, 2023 |title=The 'CEO of Anti-Woke Inc.' Has His Eye on the Presidency |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/02/13/anti-woke-ramaswamy-2024-election-00082414 |access-date=February 21, 2023 |website=[[Politico]] |language=en |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322214103/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/02/13/anti-woke-ramaswamy-2024-election-00082414 |url-status=live }}</ref>  
[[File:Vivek Ramaswamy (53066698352).jpg|thumb|Ramaswamy in West Palm Beach, Florida]]
{{American nationalism|politicians}}
Ramaswamy has often described himself as an American nationalist.<ref name="cincinnati22">{{cite news |author=Sewell, Dan |date=January 17, 2023 |title=Dan Sewell: Anti-woke crusader mulls political future |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/2023/01/18/anti-woke-crusader-vivek-ramaswamy-mulls-political-future/69814260007/ |work=Cincinnati Enquirer}}</ref><ref name="axiosfeb222">{{Cite web |last=Kraushaar |first=Josh |date=February 22, 2023 |title='Woke, Inc.' author Vivek Ramaswamy enters 2024 presidential election |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/02/22/vivek-ramaswamy-2024-presidential-election |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref><ref name="POL-23">{{cite news |last=Booker |first=Brakkton |date=June 6, 2023 |title=Ramaswamy flaunts 'tongue in cheek' non-white nationalism |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/06/vivek-ramaswamy-gop-nationalist-00100395 |work=[[Politico]]}}</ref> He has described the United States as being in the middle of a national identity crisis, precipitated by what he calls "new secular religions like COVID-ism, climate-ism, and [[gender ideology]]".<ref name="APEntersRace">{{Cite news |date=February 21, 2023 |title='Woke, Inc.' author Vivek Ramaswamy enters White House race |url=https://apnews.com/article/religion-and-politics-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-ohio-e1c1cbe47763bd979b6b47557aee043d |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713125113/https://apnews.com/article/religion-and-politics-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-ohio-e1c1cbe47763bd979b6b47557aee043d |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |access-date=July 13, 2023 |work=[[AP News]] |quote=Ramaswamy, 37, formally launched his longshot bid by decrying what he called a "national identity crisis" that he claims is driven by a left-wing ideology that has replaced "faith, patriotism and hard work" with "new secular religions like COVID-ism, climate-ism and gender ideology."}}</ref> Although they were running against each other for the 2024 Republican nomination, Ramaswamy vocally supported Trump.<ref name="Montague">{{Cite news |last=Montague |first=Zach |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Wants Other 2024 Candidates to Promise Trump a Pardon |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/13/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-trump-pardon.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613161956/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/13/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-trump-pardon.html |archive-date=June 13, 2023}}</ref> After [[Federal prosecution of Donald Trump (government documents case)|Trump was indicted on federal criminal charges]] in 2023, Ramaswamy immediately rallied behind him.<ref name="Lahut">{{Cite web |last=Lahut |first=Jake |date=May 28, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Is the Spoiler Candidate Trump Loves |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/vivek-ramaswamy-is-the-spoiler-candidate-trump-loves |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528041424/https://www.thedailybeast.com/vivek-ramaswamy-is-the-spoiler-candidate-trump-loves |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |website=[[The Daily Beast]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He promised to pardon Trump if elected president.<ref name=Montague/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Piper |first=Jessica |date=June 8, 2023 |title=Trump's 2024 GOP opponents rush to his defense, post indictment |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/08/vivek-ramaswamy-promises-pardon-trump-indictment-00101173 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629135041/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/08/vivek-ramaswamy-promises-pardon-trump-indictment-00101173 |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |website=[[Politico]]}}</ref> He also promised to pardon [[Julian Assange]], [[Ross Ulbricht]], and [[Edward Snowden]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Ramaswamy, at Libertarian 'PorcFest,' Pledges To Pardon Imprisoned Founder of Dark Web's Silk Road Marketplace |url=https://www.nysun.com/article/ramaswamy-at-libertarian-porcfest-pledges-to-pardon-imprisoned-founder-of-dark-webs-silk-road-marketplace |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=The New York Sun |language=en |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824190121/https://www.nysun.com/article/ramaswamy-at-libertarian-porcfest-pledges-to-pardon-imprisoned-founder-of-dark-webs-silk-road-marketplace |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Ian |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy: I Would Pardon or Commute Sentences For Assange, Snowden, Silk Road's Ross Ulbricht |url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2023/06/27/vivek_ramaswamy_i_would_pardon_or_commute_sentences_for_assange_snowden_silk_roads_ross_ulbricht.html |website=[[RealClearPolitics]] |access-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630145715/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2023/06/27/vivek_ramaswamy_i_would_pardon_or_commute_sentences_for_assange_snowden_silk_roads_ross_ulbricht.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mueller |first=Julia |date=June 26, 2023 |title=Ramaswamy says he would free Snowden, Assange |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4068138-ramaswamy-says-he-would-free-snowden-assange/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629141116/https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4068138-ramaswamy-says-he-would-free-snowden-assange/ |archive-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref> He suggested that he considered [[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]] as a possible running mate.<ref name=Weisman/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sexton |first=Adam |date=May 12, 2023 |title=Republican Vivek Ramaswamy floats Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as possible running mate |url=https://www.wmur.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-rfk-jr-potential-running-mate/43878815 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630053251/https://www.wmur.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-rfk-jr-potential-running-mate/43878815 |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |publisher=WMUR}}</ref>
=== Anti-woke ===
In 2023, ''[[The New York Times]]'' described Ramaswamy as an [[anti-woke]] candidate.<ref name="nytfeb2023"/> Ramaswamy's August 2021 book, the [[New York Times bestseller list|''New York Times'' bestseller]], [[Vivek Ramaswamy#Published works|''Woke Inc'']] described his view of the so-called "modern woke-[[industrial complex]]".<ref name="BInsider13">{{cite news |date=April 26, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech millionaire running against Trump |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/vivek-ramaswamy-antiwoke-entrepreneur-challenging-trump-for-president-gop-2023-2 |work=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> Ramaswamy gained recognition in right-wing circles by opposing corporate E.S.G. programs that advance political, social and environmental causes in businesses.<ref name="nytfeb2023"/> In his presidential campaign, he asserted that "faith, patriotism and hard work" are being replaced by "new secular religions like Covidism, climatism and gender ideology."<ref name="nytfeb2023"/>


===Campaign===
=== Critical race theory ===
[[File:Vramaswamy americafest 2022.jpg|thumb|Ramaswamy speaks at AmericaFest 2022]]On February 21, 2023, he declared his candidacy for the [[2024 Republican Party presidential primaries|Republican nomination for president of the United States in 2024]] on ''[[Tucker Carlson Tonight]]''.<ref name="nytfeb21">{{cite news |last=Astor |first=Maggie |date=February 22, 2023 |title=A Wealthy 'Anti-Woke' Activist Joins the 2024 Presidential Field |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-presidential-candidate-2024.html |access-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322102134/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-presidential-candidate-2024.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ramaswamy publicly released 20 years of his individual [[Tax return (United States)|income tax returns]] and called upon his rivals in the primary to do the same.<ref name=HowFortuneMade/><ref name=PiperMay2023/> His fortune has made up the vast majority of his campaign's fundraising.<ref name=Hyatt/> From February to July 2023, Ramaswamy loaned his campaign more than $15 million; his campaign ended the second quarter of 2023 with about $9 million in cash on hand.<ref name=Shapero>Julia Shapero, [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4099716-ramaswamys-second-quarter-haul-includes-5-million-in-self-donated-funds/ Ramaswamy's second quarter haul includes $5 million in self-donated funds], ''The Hill'' (July 15, 2023).</ref> His fundraising lagged far beyond Trump's and [[Ron DeSantis]]'s, but ahead of most of the other Republican primary candidates'.<ref name=Shapero/>
He argued that [[critical race theory]] indoctrinates public school children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Creitz |first=Charles |date=July 13, 2021 |title=Ramaswamy: 'Secular religion' of critical race theory now taught in schools violates Civil Rights Act of 64|url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/ramaswamy-secular-religion-of-critical-race-theory-now-taught-in-schools-violates-civil-rights-act-of-64 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323171248/https://www.foxnews.com/media/ramaswamy-secular-religion-of-critical-race-theory-now-taught-in-schools-violates-civil-rights-act-of-64 |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |access-date=July 16, 2021 |website=[[Fox News]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Ramaswamy has opposed [[Affirmative action in the United States|affirmative action]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Curt |date=February 10, 2023 |title=Curt Smith: Vivek Ramaswamy is a rising conservative star |url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/curt-smith-vivek-ramaswamy-is-a-rising-conservative-star |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227103636/https://www.ibj.com/articles/curt-smith-vivek-ramaswamy-is-a-rising-conservative-star |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website=[[Indianapolis Business Journal]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="WSJ-VR-23">{{Cite web |last=Ramaswamy |first=Vivek |date=August 5, 2020 |title=Antitrust Can't Bust a Monopoly of Ideas |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/antitrust-cant-bust-a-monopoly-of-ideas-11596643591 |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="NRVictim2">{{Cite news |date=March 6, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy vs. Identity Politics |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2023/03/06/vivek-ramaswamy-vs-identity-politics/ |work=National Review |quote=Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence}}</ref>  and vowed to rescind [[Executive Order 11246]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richard |first=Lawrence |date=February 22, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy says he'll repeal affirmative action 'without apology' on day 1 if elected president |work=[[Fox News]] |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-repeal-affirmative-action-without-apology-day-1-elected-president |url-status=live |access-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710013421/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-repeal-affirmative-action-without-apology-day-1-elected-president |archive-date=July 10, 2023}}</ref> He argued that American-style [[capitalism]] provides an antidote to India's [[caste system]].<ref name="Kolhatkar" />
=== Abortion ===
Ramaswamy has generally [[Anti-abortion movement|opposed abortion]] and called for abortion to be left to states while being against a national ban.<ref name="2024 NYT">{{Cite news |last=Astor |first=Maggie |date=July 5, 2023 |title=Where the 2024 Presidential Contenders Stand on Abortion |work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/presidential-candidates-2024-abortion.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710013421/https://www.nytimes.com/article/presidential-candidates-2024-abortion.html |archive-date=July 10, 2023| quote="He opposes a national ban.. abortion should be left to states while nonetheless calling it murder"}}</ref> He has often equated abortion to murder.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Akin |first1=Katie |last2=Bacharier |first2=Galen |date=April 23, 2023 |title=Republican presidential candidates diverge on abortion, rally religious support in Iowa |work=[[Des Moines Register]] |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2023/04/23/gop-candidates-split-on-abortion-rally-religious-support-in-iowa/70130582007/ |access-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724162854/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2023/04/23/gop-candidates-split-on-abortion-rally-religious-support-in-iowa/70130582007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the past, he has supported state-level [[six-week abortion ban]]s, with exceptions for [[Pregnancy from rape|rape]], [[incest]], and danger to the woman's life.<ref name="2024 NYT" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Itkowitz |first=Colby |date=May 19, 2023 |title=Where 2024 presidential candidates stand on abortion bans |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/19/abortion-2024-presidential-candidates/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519184839/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/19/abortion-2024-presidential-candidates/ |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |access-date=June 29, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>
=== LGBTQ and gender ideology ===
Ramaswamy called the [[LGBT movements|LGBTQ movement]] a "cult".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hains |first=Tim |date=May 2, 2023 |title=Ramaswamy: LGBTQIA+ Movement Has Become A Cult, "A New Culture Of Oppression" |url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2023/05/02/ramaswamy_lgbtqia_movement_has_become_a_cult.html |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=Real Clear Politics |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825054320/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2023/05/02/ramaswamy_lgbtqia_movement_has_become_a_cult.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He said through a spokesman that he believes [[same-sex marriage in the United States|same-sex marriage]] is "[[Obergefell v. Hodges|settled precedent]]"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey & Hannah Knowles |date=June 30, 2023 |title=Republican opposition to LGBTQ rights erupts in backlash to Pride Month |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/06/30/republicans-pride-month-lgbtq/ |access-date=August 28, 2023 |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728173937/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/06/30/republicans-pride-month-lgbtq/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but supported broad restrictions on the [[Transgender rights in the United States|rights of transgender Americans]], and used [[anti-trans rhetoric]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 21, 2024 |title=Where the Republican Candidates Stand on Transgender Rights |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/21/us/politics/republican-candidates-2024-transgender-rights.html |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825180333/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/21/us/politics/republican-candidates-2024-transgender-rights.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Executive power ===
Ramaswamy pledged, if elected, to rule by executive fiat<ref name=Weisman/> to a degree unprecedented among modern U.S. presidents.<ref name="McCammond">{{Cite web |last=McCammond |first=Alexi |title=The next Trump: younger and to the right |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/05/12/vivek-ramaswamy-trump-gop-2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173715/https://www.axios.com/2023/05/12/vivek-ramaswamy-trump-gop-2024 |archive-date=June 27, 2023|website=May 12, 2023|date=May 12, 2023 }}</ref> He pledged to fire 75% of federal employees;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burnett |first=Sara |date=August 12, 2023 |title=How Vivek Ramaswamy is pushing — delicately — to win over Trump supporters |url=https://apnews.com/article/vivek-trump-republican-primary-president-ramaswamy-768b865d113f603a721cb0f7d1e8053a |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=AP News |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826002335/https://apnews.com/article/vivek-trump-republican-primary-president-ramaswamy-768b865d113f603a721cb0f7d1e8053a |url-status=live }}</ref> dismantle [[United States federal civil service|civil service protections]], making federal employment [[at-will]];<ref name="Shoop">{{Cite web |last=Shoop |first=Tom |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Meet the long-shot presidential candidate who wants term limits for federal employees|url=https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2023/06/meet-long-shot-presidential-candidate-who-wants-term-limits-federal-employees/387960/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173714/https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2023/06/meet-long-shot-presidential-candidate-who-wants-term-limits-federal-employees/387960/ |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |website=Government Executive}}</ref> and abolish at least five federal agencies,<ref name=Konig>Joseph Konig, [https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/09/13/ramaswamy-wants-to-eliminate-fbi--atf-and-department-of-education--reduce-federal-workforce-by-75- Ramaswamy lays out plan to reduce federal workforce by 75%, gut FBI, ATF, Education Department] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002165212/https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/09/13/ramaswamy-wants-to-eliminate-fbi--atf-and-department-of-education--reduce-federal-workforce-by-75- |date=October 2, 2023 }}, NY1 (September 14, 2023).</ref> including the [[United States Department of Education|Education Department]], [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]], [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives|ATF]], [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]], [[Nuclear Regulatory Commission]], and [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]]'s [[Food and Nutrition Service]].<ref name=Konig/><ref name="BigPromises">{{Cite news |last=Weisman |first=Jonathan |date=May 5, 2023 |title=Big Promises From Vivek Ramaswamy |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/us/politics/ramaswamy-speeches.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605213435/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/us/politics/ramaswamy-speeches.html |archive-date=June 5, 2023}}</ref> He called the [[Food and Drug Administration]] "corrupt" and vowed to "expose and ultimately gut" the FDA.<ref>Adam Feuerstein & Matthew Herper, [https://www.statnews.com/2023/07/31/vivek-ramaswamy-wants-to-gut-the-fda-his-claims-dont-hold-up-to-scrutiny/ Vivek Ramaswamy wants to 'gut' the FDA. His claims don't hold up to scrutiny] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824205249/https://www.statnews.com/2023/07/31/vivek-ramaswamy-wants-to-gut-the-fda-his-claims-dont-hold-up-to-scrutiny/ |date=August 24, 2023 }}, ''Stat News'' (July 31, 2023).</ref> He asserted that the president has the unilateral power to abolish agencies by [[executive order]],<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Khalid |first1=Asma |last2=Davis |first2=Susan |date=May 19, 2023 |title=Our Interview With GOP Presidential Hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy |url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1177085392 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173714/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1177085392 |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref> although executive agencies and departments are created by statute, and under the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]], Congress has the [[power of the purse]].<ref name=Weisman/> He called for an eight-year term for all government employees and pledged to revoke [[Executive Order 10988]], an order issued by President [[John F. Kennedy]] that gives federal employees the right to [[collectively bargain]].<ref name=Shoop/> He proposed to repeal [[Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974|the federal law that requires presidents to spend all the money Congress appropriates]].<ref name=Weisman/>
=== Voting rights ===
Ramaswamy favored raising the standard [[voting age]] from 18 to 25, which would require [[List of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the United States|repealing]] the [[Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution|26th Amendment to the Constitution]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCormick |first=John |date=August 7, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy's Rise in 2024 Field Brings Scrutiny Beyond Anti-Woke Record |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/vivek-ramaswamys-rise-in-2024-field-brings-scrutiny-beyond-anti-woke-record-88a5b635 |quote=Ramaswamy, who has proposed increasing the standard voting age to 25... |access-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811184514/https://www.wsj.com/articles/vivek-ramaswamys-rise-in-2024-field-brings-scrutiny-beyond-anti-woke-record-88a5b635 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Allison">{{Cite web |last=Allison |first=Natalie |date=May 10, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy wants to raise the voting age. Even his staff doesn't like the idea. |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/10/ramaswamy-raise-voting-age-00096266|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512234825/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/10/ramaswamy-raise-voting-age-00096266 |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=[[Politico]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Keene |first=Houston |date=May 10, 2023 |title=GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to announce constitutional amendment to raise voting age to 25 |work=[[Fox News]]|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-presidential-candidate-vivek-ramaswamy-to-announce-constitutional-amendment-to-raise-voting-age-to-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510235355/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-presidential-candidate-vivek-ramaswamy-to-announce-constitutional-amendment-to-raise-voting-age-to-25 |archive-date=May 10, 2023}}</ref> This proposal would have [[Disenfranchisement|disenfranchised]] a portion of the U.S. electorate; nearly 9% of voters in the 2020 general election were under 25.<ref name=McCammond/> Ramaswamy, who is a citizen because of [[Birthright citizenship in the United States|birthright citizenship]], has repeatedly called for an end to birthright citizenship.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cann |first=Christopher |date=June 28, 2025 |title=From Bruce Lee to Marco Rubio: A list of celebrity birthright citizens |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/28/birthright-citizenship-supreme-court-celebrities/84387876007/ |access-date=2025-06-28 |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |last=Thakker |first=Prem |date=November 1, 2022 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Calls to Take Away Young People's Right to Vote |magazine=The New Republic |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/174172/vivek-ramaswamy-every-american-must-take-citizenship-test |access-date=September 3, 2023 |issn=0028-6583 |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903173726/https://newrepublic.com/post/174172/vivek-ramaswamy-every-american-must-take-citizenship-test |url-status=live }}</ref> He said he would have allowed citizens between 18 and 24 to vote only if they are enlisted in the military, work as first responders, or pass the [[American Civics Test|civics test required for naturalization]].<ref name="Allison" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kinnard |first=Meg |date=May 11, 2023 |title=Ramaswamy proposes raising voting age to 25, unless people serve in military or pass a test |url=https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-voting-age-2024-president-ea1429836e8f809fbf301b7b027f4ab9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173713/https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-voting-age-2024-president-ea1429836e8f809fbf301b7b027f4ab9 |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |website=[[Associated Press News]]}}</ref> He also supported making [[Election Day (United States)|Election Day]] a [[Federal holidays in the United States|federal holiday]], while eliminating [[Juneteenth]] (which he called "useless" and "redundant") as a federal holiday.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gans |first=Jared |date=August 7, 2023 |title=Ramaswamy calls Juneteenth a 'useless' holiday] |work=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4141374-ramaswamy-calls-juneteenth-a-useless-holiday/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824132425/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4141374-ramaswamy-calls-juneteenth-a-useless-holiday/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


In May 2023, Ramaswamy's campaign admitted that he had [[Wikipedia:Paid-contribution disclosure|paid an editor]] to alter his [[Wikipedia]] biography before announcing his candidacy, but denied that it was politically motivated.<ref name="Huffpo-May 4, 2023"/> ''[[Forbes]]'' reported Ramaswamy may have [[Conflict-of-interest editing on Wikipedia|paid an editor]] to alter his [[Wikipedia]] page to appear more favorable to political conservatives before announcing his campaign by removing references to his [[Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans]] postgraduate fellowship and his involvement with the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio|Ohio COVID-19 Response Team]].<ref name="Forbes-Paid Wikipedia editing">{{cite news |last1=Novak |first1=Matt |date=May 3, 2023 |title=Wikipedia Editor Says They Were Paid To Change Vivek Ramaswamy's Page |work=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattnovak/2023/05/03/wikipedia-editor-says-they-were-paid-to-change-vivek-ramaswamys-page/?sh=2ba162bb51a3 |access-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503204910/https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattnovak/2023/05/03/wikipedia-editor-says-they-were-paid-to-change-vivek-ramaswamys-page/?sh=2ba162bb51a3 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Huffpo-May4,2023">{{cite news |last1=Moye |first1=David |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Campaign Insists Wikipedia Revisions Weren't A 'Scrub' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vivek-ramaswamy-wikipedia-revisions-comment_n_6453cc52e4b00eb7e63a0057 |access-date=May 5, 2023 |work=[[Huffpost]] |date=May 4, 2023 |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509123838/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vivek-ramaswamy-wikipedia-revisions-comment_n_6453cc52e4b00eb7e63a0057 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Paul Soros|Paul]] and [[Daisy Soros]] are respectively the elder brother and sister-in-law of businessman and social activist [[George Soros]], who has been the subject of numerous [[George Soros conspiracy theories|conspiracy theories]] among American conservatives.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Moye|first1=David|date=May 3, 2023|title=Vivek Ramaswamy Paid To Get Soros Connection Erased From Wikipedia Page|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vivek-ramaswamy-wikipedia-editor_n_6452957de4b029f56a146123|website=HuffPost|access-date=May 4, 2023|language=en|archive-date=May 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524084342/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vivek-ramaswamy-wikipedia-editor_n_6452957de4b029f56a146123|url-status=live}}</ref> Ramaswamy's campaign denied attempting to "scrub" his Wikipedia page and argued the edits were revisions of "factual distortions".<ref name="Huffpo-May4,2023" />
=== Border control ===
Ramaswamy pledged to "use our military to annihilate the [[Mexican drug cartels]]".<ref name=BigPromises/> He favored [[Cannabis in the United States|federal legalization of marijuana]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gillespie|first=Brandon|date=August 14, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy breaks with GOP on decriminalization of hard drugs: 'I'm in that direction' |work=[[Fox News]] |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vivek-ramaswamys-gop-decriminalization-hard-drugs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814215924/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vivek-ramaswamys-gop-decriminalization-hard-drugs |archive-date=August 14, 2023}}</ref>  
=== Taxes ===
He took no public position on the [[Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018|2017 Trump tax cuts]].<ref name="Beckwith">{{Cite web |last=Beckwith |first=Ryan Teague |date=August 2, 2023 |title=Where the Republican Presidential Candidates Stand on Five Key Economic Issues |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-08-02/where-trump-2024-gop-candidates-stand-on-5-key-economic-issues |website=[[Bloomberg News]] |access-date=August 2, 2023 |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802095040/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-08-02/where-trump-2024-gop-candidates-stand-on-5-key-economic-issues |url-status=live }}</ref> In a [[thought experiment]] he expressed support for an [[inheritance tax]],<ref name=WSJScrunity/> and called for ending the [[Federal Reserve]]'s dual mandate,<ref name=Beckwith/> but during his presidential campaign he expressed opposition to an inheritance tax.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ramaswamy: A Dynamic Debate Performance Paired With An Incoherent Economic Agenda |url=https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/ramaswamy-dynamic-debate-performance-incoherent-economic-agenda |website=Tax Policy Center |access-date=20 January 2024 |language=en |date=1 September 2023}}</ref>


During his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, he sought to appeal to [[evangelicalism in the United States|evangelical]] [[Christian right]] and [[Christian nationalist]] voters, an important part of the Republican [[Base voter|base]], some of whom were unwilling to support a non-Christian presidential candidate such as Ramaswamy (who is Hindu).<ref name=nyt070923/><ref name=Dickinson>Tim Dickinson, [https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/vivek-ramaswamy-religion-under-attack-christian-nationalists-1234796575/ Vivek Ramaswamy Is On the Rise. So Are Christian Nationalist Attacks on His Religion], ''Rolling Stone'' (July 28, 2023)).</ref> In campaign stops and interviews, Ramaswamy has criticized [[secularism]].<ref name=nyt070923/> He said that the U.S. was founded on "[[Christian values]]"<ref name=nyt070923/> or "[[Judeo-Christian values]]";<ref name=Dickinson/> that he shares those values;<ref name=nyt070923/><ref name=Dickinson/> and that he [[God in Hinduism|believes in one God]].<ref name=nyt070923/>
===Work visas===
Ramaswamy has supported the reforming of the [[H-1B visa]], a work visa program for non-US citizens, noting problems with the current lottery-based system and suggesting it should instead be based on merit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/16/ramaswamy-h1b-visa-gop-visa-00116383|title=Ramaswamy wants to end the H-1B visa program he used 29 times|first=Myah|last=Ward|date=September 16, 2023|website=[[POLITICO]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/vivek-ramaswamy-h1b-visa-fallout-breaks-social-media-silence-2016523 |access-date=2025-03-07 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy breaks social media silence after H-1B visa fallout|first=Ewan |last=Palmer |date=January 17, 2025 |work=Newsweek}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first1=Aimee |last1=Picchi |first2=Lucia |last2=Suarez Sang |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/musk-vivek-ramaswamy-h1b-visa-maga-immigration-what-to-know/ |access-date=2025-03-07 |title=Musk and Ramaswamy are sparking a debate over the H-1B visa. Here's what to know about the visa |date=December 30, 2024 |work=[[CBS News]]}}</ref>


While campaigning, Ramaswamy has called himself an "unapologetic [[American nationalist]]";<ref name=Booker>Booker, Brakkton. [https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/06/vivek-ramaswamy-gop-nationalist-00100395 Ramaswamy Flaunts 'tongue in Cheek' Non-White Nationalism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721135627/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/06/vivek-ramaswamy-gop-nationalist-00100395 |date=July 21, 2023 }}, ''Politico'' (June 6, 2023).</ref> he has often attacked DeSantis but has avoided directly criticizing Trump.<ref name=Booker/><Ref>Natalie Allison, [https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/05/ramaswamy-desantis-interview-buttigieg-2024-00100275 Ramaswamy: 'I don't have a particular personal beef with DeSantis at all'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629072452/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/05/ramaswamy-desantis-interview-buttigieg-2024-00100275 |date=June 29, 2023 }}, ''Politico'' (June 5, 2023)
===Foreign affairs===
</ref>
[[File:Vivek Ramaswamy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 2025.jpg|thumb|Ramaswamy with [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]], February 2025]]
Ramaswamy said he would not have used U.S. military force against [[Iran]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Samuels |first=Ben |title=Vivek Ramaswamy, in Favor of Ending Israel Aid, Opposes U.S. Military Force Against Iran |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2023-08-31/ty-article/.premium/vivek-ramaswamy-in-favor-of-ending-israel-aid-opposes-u-s-military-force-against-iran/0000018a-4cb6-d775-a79a-5db7ae130000 |access-date=2025-03-07 |url-access=registration |work=Haaretz |date=August 31, 2023}}</ref> In November 2023, he condemned [[2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh|Azerbaijan's military operation]] against the Armenian population of [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] and said that the U.S. should block all its military aid to Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blocking military aid to Azerbaijan is the right step, US Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy says |url=https://en.armradio.am/2023/11/17/blocking-military-aid-to-azerbaijan-is-the-right-step-us-presidential-candidate-vivek-ramaswamy-says/ |access-date= |work=Public Radio of Armenia |date=17 November 2023 |archive-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210204251/https://en.armradio.am/2023/11/17/blocking-military-aid-to-azerbaijan-is-the-right-step-us-presidential-candidate-vivek-ramaswamy-says/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Political positions ===
==== Russia-Ukraine ====
Although they are running against each other for the 2024 Republican nomination, Ramaswamy is a vocal supporter of Donald Trump.<ref name="Montague">{{cite news |author1=Zach Montague |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Wants Other 2024 Candidates to Promise Trump a Pardon |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/13/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-trump-pardon.html |work=The New York Times |date=June 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613161956/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/13/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-trump-pardon.html |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> After Trump's social media accounts were suspended following the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|January 6 attack on the Capitol]], Ramaswamy and [[Jed Rubenfeld]] co-wrote a ''Wall Street Journal'' op-ed that called the attack "disgraceful", but argued that social media websites should be treated as [[state actor]]s and that their ban of Trump violated the First Amendment.<ref name=CincinnatiBC/><ref>{{cite news |author1=Vivek Ramaswamy |author2=Jed Rubenfeld |title=Save the Constitution From Big Tech |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/save-the-constitution-from-big-tech-11610387105 |work=Wall Street Journal |date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111175140/https://www.wsj.com/articles/save-the-constitution-from-big-tech-11610387105 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> Trump and Ramaswamy dined together at [[Trump National Golf Club Bedminster|Trump's club in New Jersey]] in 2022, and spoke with each other at an April 2023 [[National Rifle Association of America]] convention.<ref name="Lahut">{{cite web |author1=Jake Lahut |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Is the Spoiler Candidate Trump Loves |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/vivek-ramaswamy-is-the-spoiler-candidate-trump-loves |website=The Daily Beast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528041424/https://www.thedailybeast.com/vivek-ramaswamy-is-the-spoiler-candidate-trump-loves |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |language=en-US |date=May 28, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Trump has praised Ramaswamy, writing on [[Truth Social|his social media website]], "The thing I like about Vivek is that he only has good things to say about 'President Trump.'"<ref name=Lahut/> After [[Federal prosecution of Donald Trump (government documents case)|Trump was indicted on federal criminal charges]] in 2023, Ramaswamy immediately rallied behind Trump.<ref name=Lahut/> He gave a press conference outside the Miami courthouse where Trump was arraigned,<ref name=Montague/> and promised to [[pardon]] him if elected president.<ref name=Montague/><ref>[https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/08/vivek-ramaswamy-promises-pardon-trump-indictment-00101173 Trump's 2024 GOP opponents rush to his defense, post indictment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629135041/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/08/vivek-ramaswamy-promises-pardon-trump-indictment-00101173 |date=June 29, 2023 }}, ''Politico'' (June 8, 2023).</ref>  
Ramaswamy said he favored "some major concessions to Russia, including freezing those current lines of control in a [[Korean Armistice Agreement|Korean-war style armistice agreement]]" to end the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Vivek Ramaswamy: Eight things Republican presidential candidate believes |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66603166 |work=BBC News |date=28 September 2023 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920022722/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66603166 |url-status=live }}</ref>  


Ramaswamy has also promised to pardon [[Edward Snowden]] and [[Julian Assange]], referring to Snowden's actions as "heroic".<ref>{{cite news|last=Mueller|first=Julia|title=Ramaswamy says he would free Snowden, Assange |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4068138-ramaswamy-says-he-would-free-snowden-assange/|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=26 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629141116/https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4068138-ramaswamy-says-he-would-free-snowden-assange/|archive-date=29 June 2023}}</ref> He has also indicated an openness to pardon Democrat [[Hunter Biden]], if convicted of crimes, "in the interest of moving the nation forward”.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bernstein|first=Brittany|title=Vivek Ramaswamy Says He’d Be ‘Open’ to Pardon of Hunter Biden|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/vivek-ramaswamy-says-hed-be-open-to-pardon-of-hunter-biden/|work=[[National Review]]|date=13 August 2023}}</ref> He suggested that if nominated, he might consider Democrat [[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]] as his [[running mate]].<ref name=Weisman/><ref>[https://www.wmur.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-rfk-jr-potential-running-mate/43878815 Republican Vivek Ramaswamy floats Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as possible running mate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630053251/https://www.wmur.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-rfk-jr-potential-running-mate/43878815 |date=June 30, 2023 }}, WMUR (May 12, 2023).</ref>
He favored ending [[List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|U.S. military aid to Ukraine]], [[Ukraine–NATO relations|excluding Ukraine from NATO]], and allowing [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|Russia to remain in occupied regions of Ukraine]] in exchange for an agreement that Russia end its alliance with China.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meyer |first=Ken |date=June 4, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Proposes 'Major Concessions to Russia' in Contentious Interview With ABC's Martha Raddatz |url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/vivek-ramaswamy-proposes-major-concessions-to-russia-in-contentious-interview-with-abcs-martha-raddatz/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604184315/https://www.mediaite.com/tv/vivek-ramaswamy-proposes-major-concessions-to-russia-in-contentious-interview-with-abcs-martha-raddatz/ |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=[[Mediaite]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ShaperoNATO">{{Cite web |last=Shapero |first=Julia |date=July 8, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy hits Graham on his push for NATO to admit Ukraine |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4087195-vivek-ramaswamy-hits-graham-on-his-push-for-nato-to-admit-ukraine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713053510/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4087195-vivek-ramaswamy-hits-graham-on-his-push-for-nato-to-admit-ukraine/ |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |access-date=July 13, 2023 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref>
==== China-Taiwan====
He expressed support for [[Taiwanese independence]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cranston |first=Matthew |date=July 23, 2023 |title=Australia should step up Taiwan defence, says US presidential hopeful |work=[[Financial Review]] |url=https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/australia-should-step-up-taiwan-defence-says-us-presidential-hopeful-20230723-p5dqhz |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812201043/https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/australia-should-step-up-taiwan-defence-says-us-presidential-hopeful-20230723-p5dqhz |url-status=live }}</ref> and floated the idea of "putting a gun in every Taiwanese household" to deter an invasion by [[China]], but said the U.S. should not militarily defend Taiwan from Chinese attack after the U.S. has achieved "semiconductor independence", which he pledged to achieve by 2028.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wulfsohn|first=Joseph A. |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Ramaswamy vows to defend Taiwan from China until US has 'semiconductor independence' in 2028 |work=[[Fox News]] |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-vows-defend-taiwan-china-us-semiconductor-independence |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815004016/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-vows-defend-taiwan-china-us-semiconductor-independence |archive-date=August 15, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NYT20230821">{{Cite news |last=Weisman |first=Jonathan |date=August 21, 2023 |title=Ramaswamy's Foreign Policy Approach Offers Rivals a Line of Attack |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-foreign-policy.html |access-date=August 24, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824074848/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-foreign-policy.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Israel-Palestine ====
Ramaswamy is [[pro-Israel]] and calls Israel "a Divine nation, charged with a Divine purpose".<ref>{{cite news |title=Would love if Israel puts heads of top Hamas leaders on stakes: Vivek Ramaswamy |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/vivek-ramaswamy-republican-candidate-hamas-leader-heads-israel-gaza-border-2455361-2023-10-29 |work=India Today |date=29 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Ramaswamy has said Israel should feel free to oppose the [[two-state solution]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Biden pushes Mideast leaders to consider two state solution after Israel-Hamas war ends |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/biden-pushes-mideast-leaders-to-consider-two-state-solution-after-israel-hamas-war-ends |work=PBS News |date=29 October 2023 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Trump's cabinet is a recipe for all-out Middle East war |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/gaza-trump-new-cabinet-recipe-all-out-middle-east-war |work=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref>


Ramaswamy argues that [[identity politics]] promotes a "victimhood" culture that needs to be replaced with a "merit" culture that promotes excellence.<ref name=NRVictim>{{Cite news|title=Vivek Ramaswamy vs. Identity Politics|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2023/03/06/vivek-ramaswamy-vs-identity-politics/|date=March 6, 2023|work=National Review|quote=Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence|access-date=July 20, 2023|archive-date=July 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720195138/https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2023/03/06/vivek-ramaswamy-vs-identity-politics/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=cincinnati>{{cite news|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/2023/01/18/anti-woke-crusader-vivek-ramaswamy-mulls-political-future/69814260007/|date=January 17, 2023|title=Dan Sewell: Anti-woke crusader mulls political future|work=Cincinnati Enquirer|access-date=February 10, 2023|archive-date=January 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130232632/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/2023/01/18/anti-woke-crusader-vivek-ramaswamy-mulls-political-future/69814260007/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also opposes [[Affirmative action in the United States|affirmative action]], calling it the "single biggest form of institutionalized racism in America today",<ref>{{Cite web |author=Curt Smith |title=Curt Smith: Vivek Ramaswamy is a rising conservative star |url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/curt-smith-vivek-ramaswamy-is-a-rising-conservative-star |access-date=February 22, 2023 |website=Indianapolis Business Journal |date=February 10, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227103636/https://www.ibj.com/articles/curt-smith-vivek-ramaswamy-is-a-rising-conservative-star |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramaswamy |first=Vivek |date=August 5, 2020 |title=Antitrust Can't Bust a Monopoly of Ideas |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/antitrust-cant-bust-a-monopoly-of-ideas-11596643591 |access-date=February 17, 2023 |website=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418043632/https://www.wsj.com/articles/antitrust-cant-bust-a-monopoly-of-ideas-11596643591 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/> and vowing to rescind [[Executive Order 11246]] if elected.<ref>{{cite news|last=Richard|first=Lawrence|title=Vivek Ramaswamy says he'll repeal affirmative action 'without apology' on day 1 if elected president|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-repeal-affirmative-action-without-apology-day-1-elected-president|work=[[Fox News]]|date=February 22, 2023|access-date=July 10, 2023|archive-date=July 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710013421/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-repeal-affirmative-action-without-apology-day-1-elected-president|url-status=live}}</ref> Ramaswamy has also argued that American-style capitalism provides an antidote to India's [[caste]] system by offering lower-caste citizens more economic opportunities.<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/> He opposes teaching [[critical race theory]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Creitz |first=Charles |date=July 13, 2021 |title=Ramaswamy: 'Secular religion' of critical race theory now taught in schools violates Civil Rights Act of 64 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/ramaswamy-secular-religion-of-critical-race-theory-now-taught-in-schools-violates-civil-rights-act-of-64 |access-date=July 16, 2021 |website=Fox News |language=en-US |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323171248/https://www.foxnews.com/media/ramaswamy-secular-religion-of-critical-race-theory-now-taught-in-schools-violates-civil-rights-act-of-64 |url-status=live }}</ref>
After [[2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel|Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel]], Ramaswamy said that in his view, "Israel should be able to make the decisions of how it defends itself" while suggesting that the U.S. should provide a "diplomatic [[Iron Dome]]" for Israel. <ref>{{cite news|date=October 24, 2023|title=Ramaswamy's pitch on Israel: "No money," but a "diplomatic Iron Dome"|work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]]|url=https://www.axios.com/2023/10/24/vivek-ramaswamy-israel-aid-hamas|accessdate=December 8, 2023|author1=Erin Doherty|author2=Sophia Cai|archive-date=December 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202073428/https://www.axios.com/2023/10/24/vivek-ramaswamy-israel-aid-hamas|url-status=live}}</ref> Regarding the U.S. aid to Israel, he said that it should be contingent upon Israel's plans for defeating Hamas and its actions in [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]].<ref>{{cite news|date=October 28, 2023|title=Ramaswamy calls claims that he's anti-Israel 'dead wrong'|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4281260-ramaswamy-calls-claims-that-hes-anti-israel-dead-wrong/|accessdate=December 8, 2023|author=Tara Suter|archive-date=December 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202073423/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4281260-ramaswamy-calls-claims-that-hes-anti-israel-dead-wrong/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Ramaswamy describes himself as pro-life,<ref name="2024 NYT">{{cite news|last=Astor|first=Maggie|title=Where the 2024 Presidential Contenders Stand on Abortion|url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/presidential-candidates-2024-abortion.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 5, 2023|access-date=July 10, 2023|archive-date=July 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710013421/https://www.nytimes.com/article/presidential-candidates-2024-abortion.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and has said, "I think abortion is murder."<ref>Katie Akin & Galen Bacharier, [https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2023/04/23/gop-candidates-split-on-abortion-rally-religious-support-in-iowa/70130582007/ Republican presidential candidates diverge on abortion, rally religious support in Iowa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724162854/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2023/04/23/gop-candidates-split-on-abortion-rally-religious-support-in-iowa/70130582007/ |date=July 24, 2023 }}, ''Des Moines Register'' (April 23, 2023).</ref> He supports state-level [[six-week abortion ban]]s, with exceptions for rape, incest, and danger to the woman's life, but opposes a federal ban.<ref name="2024 NYT"/><ref>{{Cite web|author=Colby Itkowitz|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/19/abortion-2024-presidential-candidates/|newspaper=Washington Post|date=May 19, 2023|title=Where 2024 presidential candidates stand on abortion bans|access-date=June 29, 2023|archive-date=May 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519184839/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/19/abortion-2024-presidential-candidates/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Climate and energy ===
Although he said he is not a [[climate denier]],<ref name="Mufson" /> Ramaswamy said in a Republican primary debate that "the climate change agenda is a hoax"<ref name=":0">Kelly Garrity, [https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/23/candidates-clash-over-climate-change-00112637 Vivek Ramaswamy calls climate change a 'hoax' during debate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824131859/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/23/candidates-clash-over-climate-change-00112637 |date=August 24, 2023 }}, ''Politico'' (August 23, 2023).</ref><ref name="ChaosClimate" /> and asserted, falsely, that "more people are dying from climate policies than actual climate change."<ref>{{cite web|author=Linda Qiu|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/26/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-2024-campaign-fact-check.html|title=Fact-Checking Vivek Ramaswamy on the Campaign Trail|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 26, 2023|access-date=August 26, 2023|archive-date=August 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826152654/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/26/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-2024-campaign-fact-check.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="FactCheckAugDebate">{{cite web|url=https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2023/republican-debate-fox-news-fact-check/|title=What Republican candidates got right, wrong in first debate on Fox News|work=Politifact|date=August 24, 2023|access-date=August 24, 2023|archive-date=August 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824173613/https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2023/republican-debate-fox-news-fact-check/|url-status=live}}</ref>  


Ramaswamy supports expanding presidential power, pledging to rule by executive fiat<ref name=Weisman/> to a degree unprecedented among modern U.S. presidents.<ref name=McCammond>Alexi McCammond, [https://www.axios.com/2023/05/12/vivek-ramaswamy-trump-gop-2024 The next Trump: younger and to the right] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173715/https://www.axios.com/2023/05/12/vivek-ramaswamy-trump-gop-2024 |date=June 27, 2023 }}, ''Axios'' (May 12, 2023).</ref> He supports abolishing and replacing the [[United States Department of Education|Department of Education]], [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]], and [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]].<ref name=BigPromises>[https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/us/politics/ramaswamy-speeches.html Big Promises From Vivek Ramaswamy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605213435/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/us/politics/ramaswamy-speeches.html |date=June 5, 2023 }}, ''New York Times'' (May 5, 2023).</ref> He asserts that the president has the unilateral power to abolish these agencies by [[executive order]],<ref>Asma Khalid/Susan Davis, [https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1177085392 Our Interview With GOP Presidential Hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173714/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1177085392 |date=June 27, 2023 }}, NPR (May 19, 2023).</ref> although under the Constitution, Congress has the [[power of the purse]].<ref name=Weisman/> He has pledged to fire "at least half the federal workforce"<ref name=McCammond/> and dismantle [[United States federal civil service|federal civil service]] protections, turning federal jobs into [[at-will]] jobs.<ref name=Shoop>Tom Shoop, [https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2023/06/meet-long-shot-presidential-candidate-who-wants-term-limits-federal-employees/387960/  Meet the long-shot presidential candidate who wants term limits for federal employees] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173714/https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2023/06/meet-long-shot-presidential-candidate-who-wants-term-limits-federal-employees/387960/ |date=June 27, 2023 }}, ''Government Executive'' (June 27, 2023).</ref> He has called for an eight-year term for all government employees and pledged to revoke [[Executive Order 10988|the executive order issued by President Kennedy]] that gave federal employees a right to [[collective bargaining|collectively bargain]].<ref name=Shoop/> He also has proposed repealing [[Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974|the federal law that requires presidents to spend all the money Congress appropriates]].<ref name=Weisman/>
At other times, he said that he accepted that [[Attribution of recent climate change|burning fossil fuels causes climate change]],<ref name=Weisman/> but called global climate change "not entirely bad";<ref name=Mufson/> said that "people should be proud to live a [[Carbon emissions|high-carbon]] lifestyle";<ref name=Mufson/> and said that the U.S. should "drill, [[Fracking|frack]], [[Coal-fired power station|burn coal]]".<ref name=Weisman/>  


Ramaswamy favors raising the [[voting age]] to 25, with exceptions, through the creation of a [[List of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the United States|new constitutional amendment]], which would "supercede" the [[Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution|26th Amendment to the Constitution]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Keene|first=Houston|title=GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to announce constitutional amendment to raise voting age to 25|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-presidential-candidate-vivek-ramaswamy-to-announce-constitutional-amendment-to-raise-voting-age-to-25|work=[[Fox News]]|date=10 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510235355/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-presidential-candidate-vivek-ramaswamy-to-announce-constitutional-amendment-to-raise-voting-age-to-25|archive-date=10 May 2023}}</ref><ref name=Allison>{{Cite web |last=Allison |first=Natalie |date=May 10, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy wants to raise the voting age. Even his staff doesn't like the idea. |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/10/ramaswamy-raise-voting-age-00096266 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=POLITICO |language=en |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512234825/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/10/ramaswamy-raise-voting-age-00096266 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ramaswamy has said he would allow citizens between 18 and 24 to vote only if they are enlisted in the military, work as [[first responder]]s, or pass a [[civics]] test.<ref name=Allison/><ref>Meg Kinnard, [https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-voting-age-2024-president-ea1429836e8f809fbf301b7b027f4ab9 Ramaswamy proposes raising voting age to 25, unless people serve in military or pass a test] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173713/https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-voting-age-2024-president-ea1429836e8f809fbf301b7b027f4ab9 |date=June 27, 2023 }}, Associated Press (May 11, 2023).</ref> He has stated that the civics test would be identical to the one immigrants are required to pass to become naturalized U.S. citizens, and argues it will raise civic engagement, national pride, and turnout among young voters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nicholson|first=Emma|title=Vivek Ramaswamy, the youngest GOP presidential candidate, wants civics tests for young voters 18 to 24|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vivek-ramaswamy-wants-civics-tests-young-voters-18-to-24/|work=[[CBS News]]|date=4 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804205042/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vivek-ramaswamy-wants-civics-tests-young-voters-18-to-24/|archive-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> Voters under 25 make up nearly 9% of the U.S. electorate, not including those who possess military service.<ref name=McCammond/> He is also in favor of establishing [[Election Day (United States)|Election Day]] as a [[Federal holidays in the United States|federal holiday]], and requiring [[Voter identification laws|Voter ID]] to cast a ballot.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kumar|first=Arun|title=Vivek Ramaswamy advocates national holiday for single-day voting|url=https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2023/08/09/vivek-ramaswamy-for-national-holiday-single-day-voting-454501/|work=The American Bazaar|date=9 August 2023}}</ref>
He criticized what he calls the "climate cult" and said that as president, he would "abandon the anticarbon framework as it exists" and halt "any mandate to [[Carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere|measure carbon dioxide]]".<ref>{{cite web|author1=Jakkar Aimery|author2=Craig Mauger|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/michigan/2023/05/07/vivek-ramaswamy-republican-presidential-candidate-speech-appeal-trump-voters-climate-cult/70193050007/|title=Dismantle the 'climate cult': GOP presidential hopeful makes appeal to Trump voters|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173714/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/michigan/2023/05/07/vivek-ramaswamy-republican-presidential-candidate-speech-appeal-trump-voters-climate-cult/70193050007/ |archivedate=June 27, 2023|work=The Detroit News|date=May 7, 2023}}</ref>  


Ramaswamy has pledged to "use our military to annihilate the [[Mexican drug cartels]]".<ref name=BigPromises/> He has described himself as "not a [[war on drugs]] person", and is in favor of federally legalizing [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Gillespie|first=Brandon|title=Vivek Ramaswamy breaks with GOP on decriminalization of hard drugs: 'I'm in that direction'|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vivek-ramaswamys-gop-decriminalization-hard-drugs|work=[[Fox News]]|date=14 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814215924/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vivek-ramaswamys-gop-decriminalization-hard-drugs|archive-date=14 August 2023}}</ref>
In 2022, he urged [[Chevron Corporation|Chevron]] to increase oil production<ref name="Ramkumar">{{cite web|author=Amrith Ramkumar|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/anti-esg-activist-investor-urges-chevron-to-increase-oil-production-11662494769|title=Anti-ESG Activist Investor Urges Chevron to Increase Oil Production|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713130654/https://www.wsj.com/articles/anti-esg-activist-investor-urges-chevron-to-increase-oil-production-11662494769 |archivedate=July 13, 2023|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=September 6, 2022}}</ref> and criticized its support for a [[carbon tax]].<ref name=Mufson/> Ramaswamy's company holds a 0.02% stake in Chevron.<ref name=Ramkumar/>  


Ramaswamy has taken no public position on the [[Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018|2017 Trump tax cuts]].<ref name=Beckwith>Ryan Teague Beckwith, [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-08-02/where-trump-2024-gop-candidates-stand-on-5-key-economic-issues Where the Republican Presidential Candidates Stand on Five Key Economic Issues], Bloomberg News (August 2, 2023).</ref> In his book ''Nation of Victims'', he expressed support for an [[inheritance tax]] rate as high as 59% and criticized intergenerational transfers of wealth, writing that they create "[[hereditary aristocracy]]".<ref name=WSJScrunity/> He has called for ending the [[Federal Reserve]]'s dual mandate (to control inflation and minimize unemployment), saying that the Fed's mission should be limited to controlling inflation.<ref name=Beckwith/>
Ramaswamy opposed [[Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles|subsidies for electric vehicles]].<ref name=Beckwith/> In his arguments, Ramaswamy used incorrect statistical claims about the history of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. His critics said that when he cited the upsides of climate change and fossil fuels, such as reduced cold-related deaths, cheap energy, and faster plant growth, he ignored larger downsides, such as increases in other weather-related disasters, deaths, and plant damage, and ignored that there are now less-polluting sources of cheap energy.<ref name="factcheck.org" >{{cite web |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2023/09/scicheck-ramaswamys-climate-change-spin/ |title=Ramaswamy's Climate Change Spin |author=Jessica McDonald |date=September 15, 2023 |work=Factcheck.org |accessdate=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=November 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127194802/https://www.factcheck.org/2023/09/scicheck-ramaswamys-climate-change-spin/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Promotion of conspiracy theories===
In Republican primary debates and campaign appearances, Ramaswamy often repeated and promoted an [[Conspiracy theories in United States politics|array of right-wing conspiracy theories]]<ref name=RattlesOff>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/06/us/politics/vivek-trump-conspiracy-theories.html|newspaper=New York Times|date=December 6, 2023|title=Defending Trump, Ramaswamy Rattles Off Right-Wing Conspiracy Theories|author=Nick Corasaniti|access-date=December 7, 2023|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207162209/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/06/us/politics/vivek-trump-conspiracy-theories.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ChaosClimate">{{Cite news |last=Vigdor |first=Neil |date=August 24, 2023 |title=Chaos Erupts When Republican Candidates Are Asked if They Believe in Climate Change |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/23/us/republican-debate-climate-change.html |access-date=August 24, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |quote=Vivek Ramaswamy, the millionaire entrepreneur whose campaign has dabbled in conspiracy theories |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824162426/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/23/us/republican-debate-climate-change.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and falsehoods.<ref name=DispenseFacts>{{Cite news|author1=Neil Vigdor|author2=Jonathan Weisman|author3=Maggie Haberman|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/30/us/politics/ramaswamy-2024-lies.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Emulating Trump, Ramaswamy Shows a Penchant for Dispensing With the Facts|date=August 30, 2023|access-date=December 7, 2023|archive-date=November 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126171253/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/30/us/politics/ramaswamy-2024-lies.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the days after the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol]], he condemned the attack, but argued that social media bans on Trump violate the [[First Amendment]].<ref name=CincinnatiBC/><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ramaswamy |first1=Vivek |last2=Rubenfeld |first2=Jed |date=January 11, 2021 |title=Save the Constitution From Big Tech |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/save-the-constitution-from-big-tech-11610387105 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111175140/https://www.wsj.com/articles/save-the-constitution-from-big-tech-11610387105 |archive-date=January 11, 2021}}</ref> Later, while running for president, Ramaswamy repeatedly claimed that the January 6 attack "was an inside job", a claim supported by no evidence and refuted by numerous investigations.<ref name=RattlesOff/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/13/us/vivek-ramaswamy-conspiracy-theories.htm|title=Ramaswamy Pushes Fringe Idea About Jan. 6 at Town Hall in Iowa|newspaper=New York Times|date=December 13, 2023|author=Anjali Huynh}}</ref>  


Ramaswamy favors "major concessions to Russia" in the [[Russo-Ukrainian War|Russo-Ukrainian war]]. He favors ending [[List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|U.S. military aid to Ukraine]], [[Ukraine–NATO relations|excluding Ukraine from NATO]] (saying he is "dead-set opposed" to it), and allowing [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|Russia to occupy regions of Ukraine]] in exchange for an agreement that Russia end its alliance with China.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy Proposes 'Major Concessions to Russia' in Contentious Interview With ABC's Martha Raddatz |url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/vivek-ramaswamy-proposes-major-concessions-to-russia-in-contentious-interview-with-abcs-martha-raddatz/ |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=Mediaite |language=en |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604184315/https://www.mediaite.com/tv/vivek-ramaswamy-proposes-major-concessions-to-russia-in-contentious-interview-with-abcs-martha-raddatz/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=ShaperoNATO>{{cite web |last1=Shapero |first1=Julia |title=Vivek Ramaswamy hits Graham on his push for NATO to admit Ukraine |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4087195-vivek-ramaswamy-hits-graham-on-his-push-for-nato-to-admit-ukraine/ |website=The Hill |access-date=July 13, 2023 |date=July 8, 2023 |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713053510/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4087195-vivek-ramaswamy-hits-graham-on-his-push-for-nato-to-admit-ukraine/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He called Ukrainian President [[Volodymyr Zelensky]] a "bully"<ref name=ShaperoNATO/> and in a 2023 interview made unsupported claims that Jews and other minorities have been poorly treated in Ukraine under Zelensky (who is himself Jewish).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kassel |first1=Matthew |title=Ramaswamy alleges 'open questions' over Zelensky's 'treatment of religious minorities' including Jews |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2023/06/vivek-ramaswamy-republican-candidate-ukraine-zelensky-jews/ |website=Jewish Insider |access-date=July 13, 2023 |date=June 19, 2023 |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713053511/https://jewishinsider.com/2023/06/vivek-ramaswamy-republican-candidate-ukraine-zelensky-jews/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Invoking [[September 11 conspiracy theories]], he asked whether "federal agents were on the planes" that hit the [[Twin Towers (New York City)|Twin Towers]] during the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>{{cite web|author=John Hendrickson|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2023/08/vivek-ramaswamy-audio-recording/675076/|title=Audio: Vivek Ramaswamy Says He Wants 'the Truth About 9/11|work=[[The Atlantic]]|date=August 22, 2023|access-date=August 24, 2023|archive-date=August 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824173509/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2023/08/vivek-ramaswamy-audio-recording/675076/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Pengelly">{{Cite web |last=Pengelly |first=Martin |date=August 21, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy condemned for 9/11 and Jan 6 conspiracy theory remarks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/21/vivek-ramaswamy-conspiracy-theories-9-11-jan-6-republican-presidential-candidate |access-date=August 27, 2023 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826085357/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/21/vivek-ramaswamy-conspiracy-theories-9-11-jan-6-republican-presidential-candidate |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Dorn|first=Sara|title=Recording Debunks Vivek Ramaswamy's Denial Of 9/11 Comments Questioning Whether 'Federal Agents Were On The Planes'|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2023/08/22/recording-debunks-vivek-ramaswamys-denial-of-911-comments-questioning-whether-federal-agents-were-on-the-planes/|access-date=August 29, 2023|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=August 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825185020/https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2023/08/22/recording-debunks-vivek-ramaswamys-denial-of-911-comments-questioning-whether-federal-agents-were-on-the-planes/|url-status=live}}</ref>  


Ramaswamy was a supporter of [[Political status of Taiwan|Taiwanese independence but now says China could invade Taiwan without major consequences from the U.S. ]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Cranston|first=Matthew|title=Australia should step up Taiwan defence, says US presidential hopeful|url=https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/australia-should-step-up-taiwan-defence-says-us-presidential-hopeful-20230723-p5dqhz|work=[[Financial Review]]|date=23 July 2023}}</ref> and has floated the idea of "putting a gun in every Taiwanese household", to deter a potential invasion from [[China]]. He argues that it is vital for the U.S. to provide military protection towards Taiwan until at least 2028, due to their manufacturing of [[semiconductor|semiconductors]], until the U.S. can transition towards "semiconductor independence".<ref>{{cite news|last=Wulfsohn|first=Joseph A.|title=Ramaswamy vows to defend Taiwan from China until US has 'semiconductor independence' in 2028|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-vows-defend-taiwan-china-us-semiconductor-independence|work=[[Fox News]]|date=14 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815004016/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-vows-defend-taiwan-china-us-semiconductor-independence|archive-date=15 August 2023}}</ref>
He has asserted that "big tech" played a role in stealing the 2020 election, referring the Hunter Biden laptop story being suppressed by the mainstream media and social networks, while also claiming that the "[[Great Replacement conspiracy theory in the United States|Great Replacement]]" conspiracy theory was "the Democratic Party's platform" to benefit from demographic shifts.<ref name=RattlesOff/><ref name=CincinnatiBC/>


Ramaswamy has said that he is "not a [[climate denier]]" but sees global climate change as "not entirely bad" and has said that "people should be proud to live a [[Carbon emissions|high-carbon]] lifestyle."<ref name=Mufson/> Ramaswamy accepts that [[Attribution of recent climate change|burning fossil fuels causes climate change]], but has called for the U.S. to "drill, [[Fracking|frack]], [[Coal-fired power station|burn coal]]" and asserted that extracting and using more [[fossil fuels]] would grow the economy and help pay for [[climate change mitigation]].<ref name=Weisman/> He has criticized what he calls the "climate cult" and said that as president, he would "abandon the anticarbon framework as it exists" and halt "any mandate to [[Carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere|measure carbon dioxide]]".<ref>Jakkar Aimery & Craig Mauger, [https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/michigan/2023/05/07/vivek-ramaswamy-republican-presidential-candidate-speech-appeal-trump-voters-climate-cult/70193050007/ Dismantle the 'climate cult': GOP presidential hopeful makes appeal to Trump voters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627173714/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/michigan/2023/05/07/vivek-ramaswamy-republican-presidential-candidate-speech-appeal-trump-voters-climate-cult/70193050007/ |date=June 27, 2023 }}, ''The Detroit News'' (May 7, 2023).</ref> In 2022, he urged [[Chevron Corporation|Chevron]] to increase oil production<ref name=Ramkumar>Amrith Ramkumar, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/anti-esg-activist-investor-urges-chevron-to-increase-oil-production-11662494769 Anti-ESG Activist Investor Urges Chevron to Increase Oil Production] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713130654/https://www.wsj.com/articles/anti-esg-activist-investor-urges-chevron-to-increase-oil-production-11662494769 |date=July 13, 2023 }}, ''Wall Street Jounal'' (September 6, 2022).</ref> and criticized its support for a [[carbon tax]].<ref name=Mufson/> Ramaswamy's company holds a 0.02% stake in Chevron.<ref name=Ramkumar/> He opposes [[Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles|subsidies for electric vehicles]].<ref name=Beckwith/>
When asked about some of his past remarks, Ramaswamy frequently denied making the comments or claimed to have been misquoted, even when those denials were belied by recordings, transcripts, or extracts from his writing.<ref name=DispenseFacts/>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Ramaswamy's wife, Apoorva Ramaswamy, is a physician; he met her while studying law at Yale, where she was studying medicine.<ref name=KolhatkarNewYorker/> They have two sons.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zito |first=Salena |date=February 21, 2023 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy runs for president: 'Unapologetic pursuit of excellence in this country' |work=[[Washington Examiner]] |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/vivek-ramaswamy-runs-for-president-unapologetic-pursuit-of-excellence-in-this-country |access-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222023544/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/vivek-ramaswamy-runs-for-president-unapologetic-pursuit-of-excellence-in-this-country |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Apoorva & Vivek Ramaswamy (53459459444).jpg|thumb|Apoorva and Vivek Ramaswamy in January 2024, campaigning in [[Des Moines, Iowa]]]]
Ramaswamy's wife, Apoorva Tewari Ramaswamy, is a [[laryngologist]] and surgeon; they met at [[Yale Medical School|Yale]], when he was studying law and she was studying medicine.<ref name="Kolhatkar" /><ref name=Huynh>{{Cite news|author=Anjali Huynh|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/23/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-wife-apoorva.html|newspaper=New York Times|date=November 23, 2023|title=Beside Ramaswamy, a Doctor Who Listens More and Debates Less|access-date=December 7, 2023|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207181101/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/23/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-wife-apoorva.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They married in 2015 and have two sons and a daughter.<ref name="Kolhatkar" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Keel |first1=Fletcher |title=Ohio gubernatorial candidate, Cincinnati native Ramaswamy announces birth of third child |url=https://www.wlwt.com/article/ohio-vivek-ramaswamy-announces-birth-daughter/70255990 |website=[[WLWT]] |date=February 5, 2026 |access-date=February 5, 2026}}</ref> Ramaswamy has a younger brother, Shankar,<ref name="Kolhatkar"/> who worked for him at Axovant and later co-founded Kriya Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2021 |title=Banking on shared experiences — and now a big investor — with brother Vivek, Shankar Ramaswamy stacks up a $100M mega-round |url=https://endpts.com/banking-on-shared-experiences-and-now-a-big-investor-with-brother-vivek-shankar-ramaswamy-stacks-up-a-100m-mega-round/ |website=Endpoints News |author=John Carroll |access-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830140741/https://endpts.com/banking-on-shared-experiences-and-now-a-big-investor-with-brother-vivek-shankar-ramaswamy-stacks-up-a-100m-mega-round/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


Ramaswamy is a [[Monotheism|monotheistic]] [[Hinduism|Hindu]].<ref name=nyt070923/> According to relatives, he is fluent in [[Tamil language|Tamil]]<ref>Radhika Ramaswamy, [https://www.timesnownews.com/world/watch-we-were-surprised-vivek-ramaswamys-parents-ecstatic-as-the-indian-origin-readies-to-race-for-white-house-article-98203114 WATCH: 'We were surprised': Vivek Ramaswamy's parents ecstatic as the Indian-origin readies to race for White House] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704164737/https://www.timesnownews.com/world/watch-we-were-surprised-vivek-ramaswamys-parents-ecstatic-as-the-indian-origin-readies-to-race-for-white-house-article-98203114 |date=July 4, 2023 }}, [[Times Now]] (February 24, 2023).</ref><ref name=Frequent2023>[https://www.deccanherald.com/national/vivek-who-enters-us-president-fray-used-to-frequent-kerala-1194094.html Vivek, who enters US President fray, used to frequent Kerala] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704164738/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/vivek-who-enters-us-president-fray-used-to-frequent-kerala-1194094.html |date=July 4, 2023 }}, ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' (February 23, 2023).</ref> and understands (but does not speak) [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]].<ref name=Frequent2023/> He is a [[vegetarianism|vegetarian.]]<ref name=Weisman/><ref name=WSJScrunity/>
Ramaswamy is a [[God in Hinduism#Monotheism|monotheistic Hindu]].<ref name=nyt070923/> According to relatives, he is fluent in [[Tamil language|Tamil]]<ref name=timesnow23>{{cite web|author=Radhika Ramaswamy|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/world/watch-we-were-surprised-vivek-ramaswamys-parents-ecstatic-as-the-indian-origin-readies-to-race-for-white-house-article-98203114|title=WATCH: 'We were surprised': Vivek Ramaswamy's parents ecstatic as the Indian-origin readies to race for White House|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704164737/https://www.timesnownews.com/world/watch-we-were-surprised-vivek-ramaswamys-parents-ecstatic-as-the-indian-origin-readies-to-race-for-white-house-article-98203114|archivedate=July 4, 2023|work=[[Times Now]]|date=February 24, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Frequent2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/vivek-who-enters-us-president-fray-used-to-frequent-kerala-1194094.html|title=Vivek, who enters US President fray, used to frequent Kerala|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704164738/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/vivek-who-enters-us-president-fray-used-to-frequent-kerala-1194094.html |archivedate=July 4, 2023|work=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=February 23, 2023}}</ref> and understands (but does not speak) [[Malayalam]].<ref name=Frequent2023/> He is a [[vegetarianism|vegetarian]] and wrote in 2020, "I believe it is wrong to kill sentient animals for culinary pleasure."<ref name=Weisman/><ref name=WSJScrunity/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramaswamy |first=Vivek |date=February 13, 2020 |title=Opinion: The 'Stakeholders' vs. the People |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-stakeholders-vs-the-people-11581552372 |access-date=August 29, 2023 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817215209/https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-stakeholders-vs-the-people-11581552372 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to his parents, he has tried to develop a good understanding of both [[Eastern culture|Eastern]] and [[Western culture]].<ref name=timesnow23/><ref name=WSJScrunity/>


In 2023, Ramaswamy's campaign advisor said his [[net worth]] was more than $1 billion;<Ref name=Gabriel>Trip Gabriel, [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-wealth-plane.html Ramaswamy Investments Seem at Odds With His Position on 'Woke' Culture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710211714/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-wealth-plane.html |date=July 10, 2023 }}, ''New York Times'' (July 7, 2023).</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' estimated it at $630&nbsp;million.<ref name=Hyatt/> He lived in New York City as of 2016.<ref name=ForbesProfile>{{cite web|title=Profile - Vivek Ramaswamy|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/vivek-ramaswamy/?sh=6bf7071f54cd|work=[[Forbes]]|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=February 23, 2023|archive-date=February 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224042437/https://www.forbes.com/profile/vivek-ramaswamy/?sh=6bf7071f54cd|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2021, he owned a house in [[Butler County, Ohio]],<ref name=CincinnatiBC/> but in 2023, the only [[real estate]] he reported owning was a house in [[Columbus, Ohio]], in Franklin County.<Ref name=Gabriel/>
In 2023, Ramaswamy's campaign mentioned his net worth to be around $1&nbsp;billion.<ref name="Gabriel">{{Cite web |last=Gabriel |first=Trip |date=July 7, 2023 |title=Ramaswamy Investments Seem at Odds With His Position on 'Woke' Culture|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-wealth-plane.html |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710211714/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-wealth-plane.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Hyatt/> In March 2026, ''[[Forbes]]'' estimated Ramaswamy's net worth to be $2.4 billion; his wealth comes from biotech and financial businesses.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hyatt |first=John |title=How Vivek Ramaswamy Got Richer While Pumping Millions Into Failed Presidential Campaign |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhyatt/2024/01/17/how-vivek-ramaswamy-got-richer-while-pumping-millions-into-failed-presidential-campaign/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |date=January 17, 2024 |magazine=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref name="forbes08212023">{{Cite news |last=Toppan |first=Jamel |date=August 21, 2023 |title=How Vivek Ramaswamy Became A Billionaire |work=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhyatt/2023/08/21/how-vivek-ramaswamy-became-a-billionaire/?sh=6f5f9d834fdf/ |access-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821233714/https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhyatt/2023/08/21/how-vivek-ramaswamy-became-a-billionaire/?sh=6f5f9d834fdf/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Vivek Ramaswamy |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/vivek-ramaswamy/ |access-date=2026-03-01 |date=March 1, 2026 |magazine=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
 
During his early venture capitalist career, he lived in [[Manhattan]].<ref name="ForbesProfile">{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2016 |title=Profile - Vivek Ramaswamy |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/vivek-ramaswamy/?sh=6bf7071f54cd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224042437/https://www.forbes.com/profile/vivek-ramaswamy/?sh=6bf7071f54cd |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |access-date=February 23, 2023 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> As of 2021, he owned a house in [[Butler County, Ohio]],<ref name=CincinnatiBC/> but in 2023, the only real estate he reported owning was a house in [[Columbus, Ohio]], in [[Franklin County, Ohio|Franklin County]].<ref name=Gabriel/> A 2023 ''[[Politico]]'' profile of Ramaswamy mentions him living in a $2&nbsp;million estate in the Columbus suburb of [[Upper Arlington, Ohio|Upper Arlington]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wren, Adam |date=August 23, 2023 |title=The Astonishing, Unexpected and Completely Modern Rise of Vivek Ramaswamy |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/08/23/vivek-ramaswamy-republican-candidate-profile-00112348 |access-date=August 26, 2023 |website=[[Politico]] |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830135430/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/08/23/vivek-ramaswamy-republican-candidate-profile-00112348 |url-status=live }}</ref>


== Published works ==
== Published works ==
* {{cite book |last=Ramaswamy |first=Vivek |title=''Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam'' |publication-place=New York, NY |date=2021 |isbn=978-1-5460-9078-6 |oclc=1237631944 |publisher=[[Hachette Book Group#Hachette Nashville|Center Street]]}}
* {{Cite book |title=Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam |date=2021 |publisher=[[Hachette Book Group#Hachette Nashville|Center Street]] |isbn=978-1546090786 |publication-place=New York |oclc=1237631944}}
* {{cite book|last=Ramaswamy |first=Vivek |title= ''Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence'' |publication-place= New York, NY |date=2022|isbn= 978-1-5460-0296-3|oclc=1546002960|publisher=[[Hachette Book Group#Hachette Nashville|Center Street]]}}
* {{Cite book |title=Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence |date=2022 |publisher=[[Hachette Book Group#Hachette Nashville|Center Street]] |isbn=978-1546002963 |publication-place=New York |oclc=1546002960}}
* {{cite book|last=Ramaswamy |first=Vivek |title= ''Capitalist Punishment: How Wall Street Is Using Your Money to Create a Country You Didn't Vote For'' |publication-place=New York, NY |date=2023 |isbn=978-0063337756 |oclc=1362864450 |publisher=[[HarperCollins|Broadside Books]]}}
* {{Cite book |title=Capitalist Punishment: How Wall Street Is Using Your Money to Create a Country You Didn't Vote For |date=2023 |publisher=[[HarperCollins|Broadside Books]] |isbn=978-0063337756 |publication-place=New York|oclc=1362864450}}
 
* {{Cite book |title=Truths: The Future of America First |date=2024 |publisher=[[Threshold Editions]] |isbn=978-1668078433 |publication-place=New York |oclc=1453853062}}
==See also==
* [[Vivek Ramaswamy 2024 presidential campaign]]
* [[2024 Republican Party presidential primaries]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
 
{{wikiquote}}
* [https://www.vivek2024.com 2024 presidential campaign website]
{{Commons category|Vivek Ramaswamy}}
* [https://www.vivek2024.com 2024 presidential campaign website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521172626/https://www.vivek2024.com/ |date=May 21, 2024 }}
* {{C-SPAN|131547}}
* {{C-SPAN|131547}}
{{CongLinks|fec=P40011082}}
{{CongLinks|fec=P40011082}}
* [https://www.politifact.com/personalities/vivek-ramaswamy/ Vivek Ramaswamy] on [[Politifact]]
{{2024 United States presidential election}}
{{2024 United States presidential election}}
{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}
{{Portal bar||Biography|Hinduism|New York (state)|Politics|United States}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramaswamy, Vivek}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramaswamy, Vivek}}
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Hindus]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century Hindus]]
[[Category:21st-century Hindus]]
[[Category:American billionaires]]
[[Category:American company founders]]
[[Category:American company founders]]
[[Category:American conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:American Hindus]]
[[Category:American Hindus]]
[[Category:American male writers of Indian descent]]
[[Category:American male writers of Indian descent]]
[[Category:American nationalists]]
[[Category:American nationalists]]
[[Category:American people of Malayali descent]]
[[Category:American people of Indian Tamil descent]]
[[Category:Anti-transgender activists]]
[[Category:Asian conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Asian conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Cincinnati]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Cincinnati]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2024 United States presidential election]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2024 United States presidential election]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2026 United States elections]]
[[Category:Chief executives in the pharmaceutical industry]]
[[Category:Chief executives in the pharmaceutical industry]]
[[Category:Conflict-of-interest editing on Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Conflict-of-interest editing on Bharatpedia]]
[[Category:Critics of Black Lives Matter]]
[[Category:COVID-19 conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Department of Government Efficiency people]]
[[Category:Harvard University alumni]]
[[Category:Harvard University alumni]]
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[[Category:Paul & Daisy Soros Fellows]]
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[[Category:People from Upper Arlington, Ohio]]
[[Category:St. Xavier High School (Ohio) alumni]]
[[Category:St. Xavier High School (Ohio) alumni]]
[[Category:Trumpism]]
[[Category:Yale Law School alumni]]
[[Category:Yale Law School alumni]]

Latest revision as of 20:04, 17 March 2026

Vivek Ramaswamy
Ramaswamy at AmericaFest 2025
Born
Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy

(1985-08-09) August 9, 1985 (age 40)
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
EducationHarvard University (BA)
Yale University (JD)
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Apoorva Tewari
(
m. 2015)
Children3
WebsiteCampaign website
Signature
Signature of Vivek Ramaswamy

Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy (born August 9, 1985) is an American entrepreneur and politician. He founded Roivant Sciences, a biotechnological pharmaceutical company in 2014 and was its chief executive officer until 2021. Ramaswamy entered national politics as the youngest presidential candidate in the 2024 Republican primaries. He withdrew his bid and endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election. In 2025, he launched his campaign for the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial election and received endorsements from both President Trump and the Ohio Republican Party.

Ramaswamy was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Indian immigrant parents. He graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in biology in 2007. He earned a Juris Doctor from Yale University in 2013. Ramaswamy became an investment partner at a hedge fund, before founding Roivant Sciences in 2014. He also co-founded an investment firm, Strive Asset Management, in 2022.

Ramaswamy largely remained apolitical until 2020, when he supported Donald Trump for the 2020 presidential election. In 2021, Ramaswamy wrote his first book, Woke Inc, and appeared on cable networks arguing against left-wing "woke" policies. He also became an active donor to the Republican Party. Ramaswamy briefly considered running in the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Ohio.

Ramaswamy describes himself as a conservative and an American nationalist. He has criticized environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) and affirmative action; however, Roivant Social Ventures, one of his companies, was working in support of DEI and ESG. He has promoted numerous conspiracy theories and false statements.

In March 2026, Forbes estimated Ramaswamy's net worth to be $2.4 billion; his wealth comes from biotech and financial businesses.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy was born on August 9, 1985, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Hindu parents from India.[1][2][3] His father, Vadakanchery Ganapathy Ramaswamy, a graduate of the National Institute of Technology Calicut, worked as an engineer for General Electric, while his mother, Geetha Ramaswamy, a graduate of the Mysore Medical College & Research Institute, worked as a geriatric psychiatrist for Merck and Schering-Plough.[1][4] His parents belong to the Tamil Brahmin Iyer [5][6] community of Palakkad district in Kerala,[7][8] where the family had an ancestral Agraharam home.[7][9][10]

Ramaswamy was raised in Ohio.[11] Growing up, Ramaswamy often attended the local Hindu temple in Dayton with his family.[12] His conservative Christian piano teacher, who gave him private lessons from elementary through high school, also influenced his social views.[1] He spent many summer vacations traveling to India with his parents.[9] In high school, Ramaswamy was a nationally ranked tennis player.[13]

Education[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy attended public schools through eighth grade.[1][14] He then attended Cincinnati's St. Xavier High School, a Catholic school affiliated with the Jesuit order,[1][15] graduating as valedictorian in 2003.[1][16]

Ramaswamy received a Bachelor of Arts degree (summa cum laude) with a major in biology from Harvard University in 2007.[17] He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. At Harvard, he gained a reputation as a brash and confident libertarian.[18] He was a member of the Harvard Political Union,[19] becoming its president.[1] He told The Harvard Crimson that he considered himself a contrarian who loved to debate.[19] While in college, he performed Eminem covers and libertarian-themed rap music under the stage name and alter ego "Da Vek",[1][20][21] and was an intern for Amaranth Advisors, a hedge fund, and investment bank Goldman Sachs.[1] He wrote his senior thesis on the ethical questions raised by creating human-animal chimeras, earning him a Bowdoin Prize.[17]

In 2011, Ramaswamy was awarded a postgraduate fellowship to attend law school by the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans.[17] Ramaswamy later said that by the time he attended Yale Law School, he was already wealthy from his activities in the finance, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries; he said in 2023 that he had a net worth of around $15 million before graduating from law school.[18] At Yale Law School, he befriended fellow Ohio native and future vice president of the United States JD Vance.[22][17] He received a Juris Doctor degree from Yale University in 2013. In a 2023 interview, Ramaswamy said that he was a member of the campus Jewish intellectual discussion society Shabtai while a law student.[23]

Business career[edit | edit source]

Early career[edit | edit source]

In 2007, Ramaswamy and Travis May co-founded Campus Venture Network, which published a private social networking website for university students who aspired to launch a business.[24] The company was sold to the nonprofit Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in 2009.[25]

Ramaswamy worked at the hedge fund QVT Financial from 2007 to 2014.[1][26][27][28] He was a partner and co-managed the firm's biotech portfolio.[26][27][25] QVT's biotech investments under Ramaswamy included stakes in Palatin Technologies,[25] Concert Pharmaceuticals,[25] Pharmasset,[29][30] and Martin Shkreli's Retrophin.[31] In a 2023 speech and in his book Woke Inc., Ramaswamy called Shkreli, whose company had greatly increased the cost of a life-saving drug, both "brilliant" and a pathological liar. He criticized the U.S. Department of Justice for prosecuting Shkreli, calling his fraud a victimless crime.[31]

Roivant Sciences and subsidiaries[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy in 2017

In 2014, Ramaswamy founded the biotechnology firm Roivant Sciences; the "Roi" in the company's name refers to return on investment.[28] The company was incorporated in Bermuda, a tax haven, and received almost $100 million in start-up capital from QVT and other investors,[28] including RA Capital Management, Visium Asset Management, and the hedge fund managers D. E. Shaw & Co. and Falcon Edge Capital.[25] Roivant's strategy was to purchase patents from larger pharmaceutical companies for drugs that had not yet been successfully developed, and then bring them to the market.[28] The company created numerous subsidiaries,[29][32] including Dermavant (focused on dermatology), Urovant (focused on urological disease), and China-based Sinovant and Cytovant, both focused on the Asian market.[29][33]

In 2015, Ramaswamy raised $360 million for the Roivant subsidiary Axovant Sciences in an attempt to market intepirdine as a drug for Alzheimer's disease.[27][34] In December 2014,[35] Axovant purchased the patent for intepirdine from GlaxoSmithKline (where the drug had failed four previous clinical trials) for $5 million, a small sum in the industry.[28] Ramaswamy appeared on the cover of Forbes in 2015, and said his company would "be the highest return on investment endeavor ever taken up in the pharmaceutical industry."[28][34] Before new clinical trials began, he engineered Axovant's initial public offering (IPO);[28] it became a "Wall Street darling" and raised $315 million.[35] The company's market value initially soared to almost $3 billion, although at the time it only had eight employees, including Ramaswamy's brother and mother.[28] Ramaswamy took a massive payout after selling a portion of his shares in Roivant to Viking Global Investors.[28] He claimed more than $37 million in capital gains in 2015.[28] Ramaswamy said his company would be the "Berkshire Hathaway of drug development"[1] and touted the drug as a "tremendous" opportunity that "could help millions" of patients, prompting some criticism that he was overpromising.[28]

In September 2017, the company announced that intepirdine had failed in its large clinical trial.[28][36] The company's value plunged; it lost 75% in one day and continued to decline afterward.[28] Shareholders who lost money included various institutional investors, such as the pension fund of the California State Teachers' Retirement System.[28] Ramaswamy was insulated from much of Axovant's losses because he held his stake through Roivant.[28][35] The company abandoned intepirdine. In 2018, Ramaswamy said he had no regrets about how the company handled the drug.[35] In subsequent years, he said he regretted the outcome but was annoyed by criticism of the company.[28] Axovant thereafter attempted to reinvent itself as a gene therapy company,[37] and dissolved in 2023.[28]

In 2017, Roivant partnered with CITIC Private Equity of the Chinese state-owned CITIC Group to form Sinovant.[38][39][40] In 2017, Ramaswamy struck a deal with Masayoshi Son in which SoftBank invested $1.1 billion in Roivant.[28] In 2019, Roivant sold its stake in five subsidiaries (or "vants"), including Enzyvant, to Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma;[28][41] Ramaswamy made $175 million in capital gains from the sale.[28] The deal also gave Sumitomo Dainippon a 10% stake in Roivant.[41][42]

While campaigning for the presidency, Ramaswamy called himself a "scientist" and said, "I developed a number of medicines."[28]

In January 2021, Ramaswamy stepped down as CEO of Roivant Sciences and assumed the role of executive chairman.[41][42] In 2021, after he resigned as CEO, Roivant was listed on the Nasdaq via a reverse merger with Montes Archimedes Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition vehicle.[43] In February 2023, Ramaswamy stepped down as chair of Roivant to focus on his presidential campaign.[28][44]

Ramaswamy remains the sixth-largest shareholder of Roivant,[28] retaining a 7.17% stake.[2] During Ramaswamy's time running Roivant the company had never been profitable.[43]

Roivant Social Ventures[edit | edit source]

In 2020, when Ramaswamy was CEO of Roivant Sciences, the company established a nonprofit social-impact arm, Roivant Social Ventures (RSV), with his support.[44] An earlier iteration of RSV, the Roivant Foundation, was created in 2018.[45] Although Ramaswamy's presidential campaign centers on opposing corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives,[46] RSV worked in support of pro-DEI and ESG initiatives, including promoting health equity and diversity within the biopharma and biotech industries.[44] While campaigning, Ramaswamy has downplayed his role in creating and overseeing RSV.[44]

Strive Asset Management[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy speaking in 2022

In early 2022, together with his high school friend Anson Frericks,[47] Ramaswamy co-founded Strive Asset Management, a Columbus, Ohio-based asset management firm.[48] The firm raised about $20 million from outside investors,[43] including Peter Thiel, JD Vance, and Bill Ackman.[1][49][50]

Strive has branded itself as "anti-woke" and its funds as "anti-ESG"; Ramaswamy has claimed that the largest asset managers, such as BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard, mix business with ESG politics to the detriment of their funds' investors.[1][51][52]

Pension fund managers take account of ESG in the assessment of long-term risk, including climate risks, when making portfolio decisions.[1][53] Ramaswamy has crusaded against ESG[8][53] and emphasizes the doctrine of shareholder primacy, famously articulated by Milton Friedman.[1] In his book Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam and elsewhere, he has depicted private corporations' socially conscious investing as simultaneously ineffective and the greatest threat to American society.[1] He published a second book, Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence, in September 2022, a few months before announcing his presidential candidacy.[54]

Strive's flagship fund, the exchange-traded fund DRLL, launched in 2022 as an "anti-woke" energy sector index fund.[55][56] Ramaswamy said that Strive would push energy companies to drill for more oil, frack for more natural gas, and "do whatever allows them to be most successful over the long run without regard to political, social, cultural or environmental agendas."[57]

In October 2022, Ramaswamy held closed-door meetings with South Carolina lawmakers in a session arranged by state treasurer Curtis Loftis; during the meetings, Ramaswamy pitched Strive to manage South Carolina pension funds.[58] In June 2023, after The Post and Courier reported on the meetings, the sessions were criticized as a form of unregistered lobbying; Ramaswamy's campaign manager denied any impropriety.[58]

Ramaswamy was Strive's executive chairman[1][49][50] before resigning in February 2023 to focus on his presidential campaign.[48][59]

Other ventures[edit | edit source]

In 2020, Ramaswamy co-founded Chapter Medicare, a Medicare navigation platform.[60] He participated in the Ohio COVID-19 Response Team.[61]

He was chairman of OnCore Biopharma, a position he maintained at Tekmira Pharmaceuticals when the two companies merged in March 2015.[62] He also was chair of the board of Arbutus Biopharma, a Canadian firm.[25]

In May 2024, Ramaswamy acquired a 7.7% stake in BuzzFeed,[63] later increased to 8.4%, making him the second-largest Class A shareholder in the company.[64] Soon after the acquisition, he sent a letter to the company's board of directors, in which he suggested they hire conservative pundits such as Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, and Bill Maher, as well as three "high-profile directors, with strong track business records in new media" whom he knew.[65]

Political career[edit | edit source]

Early political involvement[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy said that he voted for Michael Badnarik, the Libertarian Party presidential nominee in 2004, but did not vote in the presidential elections in 2008, 2012, or 2016.[66] He described himself as apolitical during this period.[67] He supported Donald Trump in the 2020 election.[66][67] In November 2021, Ramaswamy registered to vote in Franklin County, Ohio, as "unaffiliated", but described himself as a Republican.[66]

Ramaswamy has made political contributions to both Democrats and Republicans. In 2016, he donated $2,700 to the campaign of Dena Grayson, a Florida Democrat running for Congress.[66] From 2020 to 2023, he donated $30,000 to the Ohio Republican Party.[29] Ramaswamy considered running in the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Ohio.[68]

2024 presidential campaign[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy speaks with supporters at a town hall in Des Moines, Iowa.

On February 21, 2023, Ramaswamy declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president of the United States in 2024 on Tucker Carlson Tonight.[69] He publicly released 20 years of his individual income tax returns and called upon his rivals in the primary to do the same.[28][50] His fortune had made up the vast majority of his campaign's fundraising.[43] From February to July 2023, Ramaswamy loaned his campaign more than $15 million; his campaign ended the second quarter of 2023 with about $9 million in cash on hand.[70] His fundraising lagged far behind Donald Trump's and Ron DeSantis's, but exceeded most of the other Republican primary candidates'.[70]

During his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, Ramaswamy sought to appeal to evangelical Christian right and Christian nationalist voters, an important part of the Republican base, some of whom are reluctant or unwilling to support a non-Christian presidential candidate such as Ramaswamy, who is Hindu.[12] In campaign stops and interviews, Ramaswamy had criticized secularism,[12] saying that the U.S. was founded on Christian values[12] or Judeo-Christian values;[71] that he shares those values;[12][71] and that he believes in one God.[12] While campaigning, Ramaswamy called himself an "unapologetic American nationalist";[72] he often attacked DeSantis but avoided directly criticizing Trump.[72][73]

Ramaswamy at a UFC fight in November 2024, with President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk

In May 2023, Ramaswamy's campaign admitted that he had paid an editor to alter his Bharatpedia biography before announcing his candidacy, but denied that the payment for edits was politically motivated.[74][75][76][77] The edits to the Bharatpedia biography removed references to Ramaswamy's postgraduate fellowship from the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, as well as his involvement with the Ohio COVID-19 Response Team.[75][76] Paul and Daisy Soros are the elder brother and sister-in-law, respectively, of businessman and social activist George Soros, who has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories among American conservatives and rightists.[78][76] Ramaswamy's campaign denied attempting to "scrub" his Bharatpedia page and argued the edits were revisions of "factual distortions".[75][76]

In January, after finishing fourth in the Iowa caucuses, Ramaswamy ended his campaign and endorsed Trump.[79][80] For the remainder of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Ramaswamy served the Trump campaign as a political surrogate,[81] representing the Trump campaign and attending campaign events in place of the candidate.[82][83]

Department of Government Efficiency[edit | edit source]

A week after the 2024 election, President-elect Donald Trump announced that Ramaswamy and businessman Elon Musk had been tasked to lead the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).[84] However, Ramaswamy never worked with the DOGE team during the Trump administration, as on Inauguration Day, he dropped out of DOGE to focus on a potential 2026 Ohio gubernatorial campaign.[85] The departure was reportedly due to friction between Ramaswamy and other DOGE leadership and staff, as well as Ramaswamy stating American work culture "venerated mediocrity over excellence".[86][87][88]

2026 Ohio gubernatorial election[edit | edit source]

On February 15, 2025, Ramaswamy filed to enter the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial election.[89] He officially announced his run on February 24.[90] On the same day, when Ramaswamy launched his campaign for Ohio governorship, he got the crucial endorsement from President Donald Trump, who posted “Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country, He will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, will never let you down, and has my COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!”[91]

According to political analysts, President Trump's early backing of Ramaswamy's candidature for Ohio governor is expected to immensely help his campaign and likely aimed to avoid a rough primary in Ohio.[91] Ramaswamy also got support from President Trump's senior adviser Elon Musk, who posted on social platform X “Good luck, you have my full endorsement,” quoting Ramaswamy’s video announcing his run for Ohio governorship.[92] On May 9, 2025, Ramaswamy received the official endorsement of the Ohio Republican Party's State Central Committee, marking the earliest the state Republican Party has ever endorsed a non-incumbent gubernatorial candidate.[93][94]

On January 6, 2026, Ramaswamy announced that he had selected Ohio State Senate President Rob McColley as his running mate for lieutenant governor.[95] On January 7, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine endorsed Ramaswamy's candidacy.[96]

Later that month, Ramaswamy’s campaign ended its contract with a private security firm after a bodyguard assigned to his family was arrested on federal drug trafficking charges; it was later disclosed that several guards provided by the firm were not properly licensed to work as armed security in Ohio.[97]

Political positions[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy in West Palm Beach, Florida

Template:American nationalism Ramaswamy has often described himself as an American nationalist.[98][99][100] He has described the United States as being in the middle of a national identity crisis, precipitated by what he calls "new secular religions like COVID-ism, climate-ism, and gender ideology".[101] Although they were running against each other for the 2024 Republican nomination, Ramaswamy vocally supported Trump.[102] After Trump was indicted on federal criminal charges in 2023, Ramaswamy immediately rallied behind him.[103] He promised to pardon Trump if elected president.[102][104] He also promised to pardon Julian Assange, Ross Ulbricht, and Edward Snowden.[105][106][107] He suggested that he considered Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a possible running mate.[18][108]

Anti-woke[edit | edit source]

In 2023, The New York Times described Ramaswamy as an anti-woke candidate.[69] Ramaswamy's August 2021 book, the New York Times bestseller, Woke Inc described his view of the so-called "modern woke-industrial complex".[109] Ramaswamy gained recognition in right-wing circles by opposing corporate E.S.G. programs that advance political, social and environmental causes in businesses.[69] In his presidential campaign, he asserted that "faith, patriotism and hard work" are being replaced by "new secular religions like Covidism, climatism and gender ideology."[69]

Critical race theory[edit | edit source]

He argued that critical race theory indoctrinates public school children.[110] Ramaswamy has opposed affirmative action,[111][112][113] and vowed to rescind Executive Order 11246.[114] He argued that American-style capitalism provides an antidote to India's caste system.[1]

Abortion[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy has generally opposed abortion and called for abortion to be left to states while being against a national ban.[115] He has often equated abortion to murder.[116] In the past, he has supported state-level six-week abortion bans, with exceptions for rape, incest, and danger to the woman's life.[115][117]

LGBTQ and gender ideology[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy called the LGBTQ movement a "cult".[118] He said through a spokesman that he believes same-sex marriage is "settled precedent"[119] but supported broad restrictions on the rights of transgender Americans, and used anti-trans rhetoric.[120]

Executive power[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy pledged, if elected, to rule by executive fiat[18] to a degree unprecedented among modern U.S. presidents.[121] He pledged to fire 75% of federal employees;[122] dismantle civil service protections, making federal employment at-will;[123] and abolish at least five federal agencies,[124] including the Education Department, FBI, ATF, IRS, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and USDA's Food and Nutrition Service.[124][125] He called the Food and Drug Administration "corrupt" and vowed to "expose and ultimately gut" the FDA.[126] He asserted that the president has the unilateral power to abolish agencies by executive order,[127] although executive agencies and departments are created by statute, and under the Constitution, Congress has the power of the purse.[18] He called for an eight-year term for all government employees and pledged to revoke Executive Order 10988, an order issued by President John F. Kennedy that gives federal employees the right to collectively bargain.[123] He proposed to repeal the federal law that requires presidents to spend all the money Congress appropriates.[18]

Voting rights[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy favored raising the standard voting age from 18 to 25, which would require repealing the 26th Amendment to the Constitution.[128][129][130] This proposal would have disenfranchised a portion of the U.S. electorate; nearly 9% of voters in the 2020 general election were under 25.[121] Ramaswamy, who is a citizen because of birthright citizenship, has repeatedly called for an end to birthright citizenship.[131][132] He said he would have allowed citizens between 18 and 24 to vote only if they are enlisted in the military, work as first responders, or pass the civics test required for naturalization.[129][132][133] He also supported making Election Day a federal holiday, while eliminating Juneteenth (which he called "useless" and "redundant") as a federal holiday.[134]

Border control[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy pledged to "use our military to annihilate the Mexican drug cartels".[125] He favored federal legalization of marijuana.[135]

Taxes[edit | edit source]

He took no public position on the 2017 Trump tax cuts.[136] In a thought experiment he expressed support for an inheritance tax,[66] and called for ending the Federal Reserve's dual mandate,[136] but during his presidential campaign he expressed opposition to an inheritance tax.[137]

Work visas[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy has supported the reforming of the H-1B visa, a work visa program for non-US citizens, noting problems with the current lottery-based system and suggesting it should instead be based on merit.[138][139][140]

Foreign affairs[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, February 2025

Ramaswamy said he would not have used U.S. military force against Iran.[141] In November 2023, he condemned Azerbaijan's military operation against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and said that the U.S. should block all its military aid to Azerbaijan.[142]

Russia-Ukraine[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy said he favored "some major concessions to Russia, including freezing those current lines of control in a Korean-war style armistice agreement" to end the Russo-Ukrainian War.[143]

He favored ending U.S. military aid to Ukraine, excluding Ukraine from NATO, and allowing Russia to remain in occupied regions of Ukraine in exchange for an agreement that Russia end its alliance with China.[144][145]

China-Taiwan[edit | edit source]

He expressed support for Taiwanese independence,[146] and floated the idea of "putting a gun in every Taiwanese household" to deter an invasion by China, but said the U.S. should not militarily defend Taiwan from Chinese attack after the U.S. has achieved "semiconductor independence", which he pledged to achieve by 2028.[147][148]

Israel-Palestine[edit | edit source]

Ramaswamy is pro-Israel and calls Israel "a Divine nation, charged with a Divine purpose".[149] Ramaswamy has said Israel should feel free to oppose the two-state solution.[150][151]

After Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Ramaswamy said that in his view, "Israel should be able to make the decisions of how it defends itself" while suggesting that the U.S. should provide a "diplomatic Iron Dome" for Israel. [152] Regarding the U.S. aid to Israel, he said that it should be contingent upon Israel's plans for defeating Hamas and its actions in Gaza.[153]

Climate and energy[edit | edit source]

Although he said he is not a climate denier,[2] Ramaswamy said in a Republican primary debate that "the climate change agenda is a hoax"[154][155] and asserted, falsely, that "more people are dying from climate policies than actual climate change."[156][157]

At other times, he said that he accepted that burning fossil fuels causes climate change,[18] but called global climate change "not entirely bad";[2] said that "people should be proud to live a high-carbon lifestyle";[2] and said that the U.S. should "drill, frack, burn coal".[18]

He criticized what he calls the "climate cult" and said that as president, he would "abandon the anticarbon framework as it exists" and halt "any mandate to measure carbon dioxide".[158]

In 2022, he urged Chevron to increase oil production[159] and criticized its support for a carbon tax.[2] Ramaswamy's company holds a 0.02% stake in Chevron.[159]

Ramaswamy opposed subsidies for electric vehicles.[136] In his arguments, Ramaswamy used incorrect statistical claims about the history of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. His critics said that when he cited the upsides of climate change and fossil fuels, such as reduced cold-related deaths, cheap energy, and faster plant growth, he ignored larger downsides, such as increases in other weather-related disasters, deaths, and plant damage, and ignored that there are now less-polluting sources of cheap energy.[160]

Promotion of conspiracy theories[edit | edit source]

In Republican primary debates and campaign appearances, Ramaswamy often repeated and promoted an array of right-wing conspiracy theories[161][155] and falsehoods.[162] In the days after the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, he condemned the attack, but argued that social media bans on Trump violate the First Amendment.[11][163] Later, while running for president, Ramaswamy repeatedly claimed that the January 6 attack "was an inside job", a claim supported by no evidence and refuted by numerous investigations.[161][164]

Invoking September 11 conspiracy theories, he asked whether "federal agents were on the planes" that hit the Twin Towers during the September 11 attacks.[165][166][167]

He has asserted that "big tech" played a role in stealing the 2020 election, referring the Hunter Biden laptop story being suppressed by the mainstream media and social networks, while also claiming that the "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory was "the Democratic Party's platform" to benefit from demographic shifts.[161][11]

When asked about some of his past remarks, Ramaswamy frequently denied making the comments or claimed to have been misquoted, even when those denials were belied by recordings, transcripts, or extracts from his writing.[162]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Apoorva and Vivek Ramaswamy in January 2024, campaigning in Des Moines, Iowa

Ramaswamy's wife, Apoorva Tewari Ramaswamy, is a laryngologist and surgeon; they met at Yale, when he was studying law and she was studying medicine.[1][168] They married in 2015 and have two sons and a daughter.[1][169] Ramaswamy has a younger brother, Shankar,[1] who worked for him at Axovant and later co-founded Kriya Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company.[170]

Ramaswamy is a monotheistic Hindu.[12] According to relatives, he is fluent in Tamil[171][172] and understands (but does not speak) Malayalam.[172] He is a vegetarian and wrote in 2020, "I believe it is wrong to kill sentient animals for culinary pleasure."[18][66][173] According to his parents, he has tried to develop a good understanding of both Eastern and Western culture.[171][66]

In 2023, Ramaswamy's campaign mentioned his net worth to be around $1 billion.[174][43] In March 2026, Forbes estimated Ramaswamy's net worth to be $2.4 billion; his wealth comes from biotech and financial businesses.[175][176][177]

During his early venture capitalist career, he lived in Manhattan.[178] As of 2021, he owned a house in Butler County, Ohio,[11] but in 2023, the only real estate he reported owning was a house in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County.[174] A 2023 Politico profile of Ramaswamy mentions him living in a $2 million estate in the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington.[179]

Published works[edit | edit source]

  • Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam. New York: Center Street. 2021. ISBN 978-1546090786. OCLC 1237631944.
  • Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence. New York: Center Street. 2022. ISBN 978-1546002963. OCLC 1546002960.
  • Capitalist Punishment: How Wall Street Is Using Your Money to Create a Country You Didn't Vote For. New York: Broadside Books. 2023. ISBN 978-0063337756. OCLC 1362864450.
  • Truths: The Future of America First. New York: Threshold Editions. 2024. ISBN 978-1668078433. OCLC 1453853062.

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