Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy laid out his vision of American identity on Friday at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, urging conservatives to embrace ideals over lineage. He rejected what he called the race- and identity-obsessed vision of the “woke left” and certain quarters of the “online right” that link American identity to heritage. “I think the idea of a heritage American is about as loony as anything the woke left has actually put up,” he said at Turning Point’s conference in Phoenix, Arizona. “There is no American who is more American than somebody else. … It is binary. Either you’re an American or you’re not.” Ramaswamy said belief in the ideals of 1776, rather than ancestry, made someone an American, describing himself as the proud son of “legal immigrants.”
He added: “What does it mean to be an American in the year 2026? It means we believe in those ideals of 1776. It means we believe in merit, that the best person gets the job regardless of their skin colour. It means we believe in free speech and open debate. Even for those who disagree with us, from Nick Fuentes to Jimmy Kimmel, you get to speak your mind in the open without the govt censoring you.” Linking far-left and far-right figures, he said there was no room in the conservative movement for progressives who believed in racial quotas or for those who rationalise hatred toward groups of people. He specifically called out far-right White nationalist Nick Fuentes for anti-Indian remarks and urged attendees not to adopt a victim mentality. “Victimhood culture from the left to the right will be the ruin of this country,” he said.Ramaswamy points out anti-Indian comments In a post on X, Ramaswamy pointed out the anti-Indian comments, saying, “If you believe in normalizing hate towards whites, blacks, Indians, or Jews, you have no place in this movement.”Ramaswamy said those who support trans athletes competing in sports consistent with their gender identity, advocate for affirmative action policies, or promote hatred toward any racial or ethnic groups lack “have no place in this movement.”He also rejected admiration for historical authoritarian figures, specifically naming Hitler and Stalin.”If you believe in normalizing hate towards whites, blacks, Indians, or Jews, you have no place in this movement. If you believe Hitler was cool, you have no place in this movement. If you believe Stalin should be admired, you have no place in this movement. If you call Usha Vance a ‘jeet,’ you have no place in this movement.”He concluded, “And if you don’t have the guts to say these things without stuttering, then you have no place as a leader in this movement.”MAGA fans ask to ‘deport’ over Ramaswamy’s postSeveral prominent MAGA supporters on X criticised entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy after he scolded conservatives about their own movement. They posted a series of hostile messages attacking his background, views on immigration and standing within the conservative ranks.X user Ollie Arogundade, who describes himself as an American Christian nationalist, wrote: “You know nothing about this country or how culture works. White men established this nation because White culture from White genetics is based in philosophy, innovation, and exploration. If you honestly think we can replace the all white people in this country with Indians who do not represent philosophy, innovation, and exploration as we all see with the current state of India, then you’re simply a fool, Vivek.” He added: “You and the rest of your tech bros can f— right off, and I’ll personally ensure you guys lose any attempted race in 2028.”Fellow X user Matt DeCata railed: “Racial quotas in terms of immigration are a good and neccesary thing. And we should absolutely kick Vivek out of the ‘consvertive movement’ rather then compromise on that.”Philip Funderburg, a Republican insurance agent running for governor of Ohio, posted: “I believe you don’t have Good Moral Character. Deporting @VivekGRamaswamy 2027@VivekGRamaswamy 2027! Make Ohio Great Again Funderburg for Governor 2026.”Ben Frank mocked Ramaswamy on X with the remark: “‘Let me tell you what an American is’ – Vivek Ramaswamy.”Nicholas J Stelzner simply wrote on X: “Deport him.” Go to Source
