Vivek Ramaswamy’s approach in business and politics is the same: Confidence, no matter the scenario

Vivek Ramaswamy, a relative newcomer to the political scene and one of the youngest billionaires in the world, has embarked on an ambitious presidential campaign that mirrors his rapid ascent in the biotech industry. His political platform includes controversial stances such as deporting U.S.-born individuals and ceasing aid to Israel and Ukraine, displaying a populist confidence characteristic of an outsider.

Ramaswamy proclaims, “I am on the side of revolution, and I will lead in a way that traditional politicians cannot.”

However, Ramaswamy’s journey in both business and politics has not been without challenges. His confrontational approach in the 2024 campaign, especially on foreign policy issues like the Israel-Hamas conflict, has highlighted his divergence from established Republican figures and a significant portion of the party’s electorate.

In a recent primary debate, while aligning with others in support of Israel’s actions, Ramaswamy continued his trend of criticizing and even ridiculing his rivals. He notably targeted Nikki Haley, former U.N. ambassador, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, with sharp comments about their stances and personal traits.

Despite his confrontational debate performances, which have drawn criticism, Ramaswamy has impressed audiences with his dynamic and extensive discourse. Yet, his controversial views, especially on foreign policy, have not translated into widespread support within the Republican base. He lags behind Donald Trump and generally trails Ron DeSantis in national polls.

Ann Trimble Ray, a Republican activist, points out Ramaswamy’s inexperience and naivety, particularly regarding his statements about Israel.

Ramaswamy’s career trajectory began with his education at Harvard, where he majored in biology and participated in the campus Republican club, often engaging in libertarian-leaning discussions. His time at Harvard led him to internships and positions in the finance industry, including at Goldman Sachs and QVT Financial, where he focused on pharmaceutical investments.

In 2014, Ramaswamy founded Roivant, a company aimed at reviving underperforming drug patents. His first major venture, Axovant, involved acquiring a potential Alzheimer’s drug, RVT-101, from GlaxoSmithKline. Despite previous studies suggesting limited promise, Ramaswamy rebranded it as intepirdine and promoted it as a significant breakthrough. Although the initial public offering was successful, the drug ultimately proved ineffective, leading to a significant drop in Axovant’s stock value. Ramaswamy, however, had already secured substantial financial gains from his shares.

Ramaswamy’s business tactics have been scrutinized, with some experts labeling his strategies as “pump and dump.” His financial success enabled him to build a vast portfolio and fund his own political campaign.

As a conservative commentator and author, Ramaswamy has critiqued the corporate focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, despite some of his investments being in companies known for their DEI efforts. He presents himself as a successor to Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda, though with a fresh perspective and less baggage.

Ramaswamy has also taken controversial stances, such as advocating for the deportation of American-born children of undocumented immigrants and questioning the official account of 9/11. He proposes significant reductions in the federal workforce and an increase in the voting age.

His recent statements on foreign policy, such as suggesting the U.S. withhold aid to Israel following a Hamas attack and criticizing U.S. support for Ukraine, have sparked debate. These views, while appealing to some, are at odds with a significant portion of Republican voters who generally support strong U.S.-Israel relations.

In a televised debate, Ramaswamy was challenged by fellow Republicans for his isolationist views, with Nikki Haley suggesting that his approach would be favorable to foreign adversaries like Russia and China.

Ramaswamy’s core strategy, as he advised a young inquirer, is to challenge consensus and find overlooked opportunities, emphasizing the importance of being correct in one’s contrarian views.

This report is a collaboration between Big Big News writers Linley Sanders in Washington and Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa.

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More about Vivek Ramaswamy campaign

• Vivek Ramaswamy’s Presidential Campaign
• Ramaswamy’s Business Achievements and Controversies
• Ramaswamy’s Debate Performances
• Republican Voter Reactions to Ramaswamy
• Background on Roivant Sciences and Axovant
• Ramaswamy’s Political Stances and Comparison to Trump