As Vivek Ramaswamy garners more attention as a GOP presidential hopeful, he is coming under increasing scrutiny.
Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal published an article that challenged the biotech mogul’s seemingly shifting positions on everything from George Soros to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies to veganism.
Vivek Ramaswamy and the Critics
For example, Ramaswamy claims to be an animal rights activist and abstains from eating meat.
While this may rub farmers in the crucial primary state of Iowa the wrong way, it shouldn’t.
Most Indians of the Hindu faith are vegetarians and believe, as the son of Indian immigrants proclaimed, it is “wrong to kill sentient animals for culinary pleasure.”
Ramaswamy defended his position in an opinion piece (also in the Wall Street Journal) he wrote back in February 2020 criticizing the latest business model known as “stakeholder capitalism” or what he defines as “the fashionable notion that companies should serve not only their shareholders, but also other interests and society at large.”
He wrote, “I have no special standing to legislate my morals because I am a CEO.”
And what is the president of the United States if not the CEO of the country? If he didn’t demand his employees adhere to his value system, shouldn’t we expect the same rational thinking should he succeed in his bid for the highest office in the country?
Is Vivek Who He Says He Is?
However, it does seem that Vivek, as many call him as opposed to the usual last name title for politicians, seems to be positioning himself pretty far right considering his history.
Former Texas congressman Will Hurd, one of Ramaswamy’s rivals in the GOP race, criticized Ramaswamy for calling Juneteenth a “useless” holiday even though he posted a video on Twitter less than two months ago honoring it, proclaiming his pride as a “first generation American.”
“His gimmicks and shtick aren’t serious,” Hurd said.
This has left some voters wondering if Ramaswamy, as a political outsider, is truly the Trump 2.0 he claims to be, or merely parroting ideas that are politically expedient to garner votes from Trump acolytes.
Ramaswamy Answers
Ramaswamy himself has commented on the increased intensity of investigations into his life and history.
Last month, he tweeted a video remarking, “We’re surging in the polls. The knives are coming out. The opposition research machines are churning, and you know what? That’s a good thing.”
The successful entrepreneur continued, “I better darn well be able to take some questions along the way. Stay skeptical. I would be, too.”
He then addressed some of what seem to be concerns from curious voters, including his relationship with the World Economic Forum (none) and George Soros (none), as well as masks (he admitted to being wrong about previous stances on mask purchasing.)
In that same video, the Republican contender defended his positions, claiming, “I have inherent libertarian instincts. I’m skeptical of the government. I believe the government mostly lies.”
This is a popular position to take right now. Not only does it appeal to the OG Trump supporters, but also to a large swath of the American public who increasingly holds disdain for government and its incessant political theater.
We may not find out everything we want to know about Vivek Ramaswamy but we can be certain of one thing – he is suspicious of the very institution is clamoring to be the head of.
So he should hardly be surprised when voters question his motives.
Given the uptick in attention, it seems this newbie in the political ring is going to have to provide even more clarification in the coming weeks.
Jennifer Galardi is the politics and culture editor for 19FortyFive.com. She has a Master’s in Public Policy from Pepperdine University and produces and hosts the podcast Connection with conversations that address health, culture, politics and policy. In a previous life, she wrote for publications in the health, fitness, and nutrition space. In addition, her pieces have been published in the Epoch Times and Pepperdine Policy Review.
From 19FortyFive
