Vivek Ramaswamy explained his evolving politics over the years that led him to running for the 2024 Republican nomination for president.
The youngest of the thirteen Republican candidates appeared on Fox and Friends Saturday to address concerns that he hasn't always been conservative in his views. Ramaswamy was asked about a recent article that outlined a litany of political stances that he has held, even from the time he was 18 years old. He explained what has changed since he was that young Harvard student and asked then candidate Al Sharpton "out of all the Democratic candidates out there, why should I vote for the one with the least political experience?”
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"Yes I was asking Al Sharpton a question on MSNBC, and I didn’t come out of the birth canal spouting Republican talking points. That's true," Ramaswamy said. "I came to my views based on my experience."
The year was 2003, and then-Sen. John Kerry would go on to win the nomination, only to lose to President George W. Bush. It was Ramaswamy's first vote and he wouldn't go on to vote again until 2020.
"I was a CEO who like so many CEO's was browbeaten into making statements on behalf of Black Lives Matter after George Floyd died. Among the CEO's in America I was unique say and I refused to do it, to say that business should stay out of politics and focus on profits," Ramaswamy went on to say.
"That ultimately led me to a journey that caused me to arrive at pro-American views that I espouse today. that’s why my convictions are deeper than a standard politician who will recite, let's say a slogan by their super PAC, that’s not me. I'm an independent patriot who speaks the truth. that’s why I have been so clear and my convictions are so strong.”
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At the time, Ramaswamy was CEO of Roivant Sciences, a pharmaceutical company. It has had six drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration since its inception in 2014.
Ramaswamy has since been replaced at the company by Matt Gline, as he went on to co-found a venture capital firm before announcing his 2024 presidential bid.