Vivek Ramaswamy, 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur, is launching a revolutionary presidential campaign, eager to shake up the political landscape with his brash rhetoric and outsider mentality. The son of Indian immigrants and one of the world’s richest millennials, Ramaswamy draws on his experience as a business mogul to pitch himself as a savior for American politics. However, his meteoric rise as a successful entrepreneur is marred by a family history of failed drugs and questionable practices.
Ramaswamy’s ambitious venture, Axovant, made headlines with its innovation in Alzheimer’s research and became the focus of a Forbes cover story. Yet, the drug it developed, Intepirdine, ultimately failed to deliver on its promised results. Larger concerns arose from the findings that the drug was ineffective at mitigating Alzheimer’s symptoms or halting its progression, leading to a significant drop in Axovant’s stock value. Critics have accused Ramaswamy of “pump and dump” practices, where he inflated the value of his company for profit while leaving investors in the lurch.
As he transitions from the business world to politics, Ramaswamy aims to echo the “America First” vision championed by former President Donald Trump. He has promised to pardon Trump in case of federal conviction and seeks to elevate the “America First” agenda to a new level. In his campaigning, he has proposed controversial stances, including deporting native-born children of immigrants and questioning the official account of 9/11.
During a Republican primary debate concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict, Ramaswamy made headlines by critiquing his opponents, including former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, with sharp, mocking remarks. These antics didn’t sit well with Republican voters, who generally favor the strong conservative values embodied by Trump and his allies. Despite his bold and rapid-fire rhetoric, Ramaswamy is trailing behind Trump and DeSantis in national surveys, polling only in the mid to high single digits.
Ramaswamy’s attempt to break into politics has highlighted the challenges of transitioning from the business world to the political arena. His unapologetically brash approach has sparked skepticism and criticism, even among some initially impressed by his speeches and energy. As he remains an underdog in the 2024 Republican primary, Ramaswamy is determined to prove that his radical outsider approach has a place in American politics.