On Friday, Vivek Ramaswamy denied allegations that he had given an interview to National File in which he purportedly blamed his departure on comments about “lazy Americans.” An article published by National File under the byline of Patrick Howley claimed that Ramaswamy had confirmed to them that his tweets on the matter were linked to his departure, allegedly stating, “obviously.”
However, Ramaswamy refuted these claims on X (formerly Twitter), directly addressing the supposed interviewer:
“Dude, I have no idea who you are, never got a text from you, and would never reply if I did.”
Reacting to another post, Ramaswamy wrote: “Lies. Never spoke to these clowns.”
Ramaswamy sparked intense debate within the MAGA movement with his tweet that many speculated had seen his departure from DOGE.
His remarks criticised the US for its cultural emphasis on mediocrity over excellence, which he traced back to the 1990s. He argued that this complacency was a key reason top tech companies often hired foreign-born and first-generation engineers instead of native Americans—not an innate IQ gap.
Ramaswamy highlighted how US culture prioritised social conformity over academic achievement, using examples from 90s television and societal trends. He noted that immigrant families, who often placed greater emphasis on academic excellence, produced many successful STEM professionals. By contrast, he said, American culture celebrated figures of “normalcy,” such as prom queens and athletes, over valedictorians and math champions.
Calling for a cultural reset, Ramaswamy proposed shifting focus towards academic pursuits, such as science competitions, and away from leisure activities like watching sitcoms or socialising aimlessly. He warned that without such a shift, the US risked losing its competitive edge to countries like China. Viewing this as a potential “Sputnik moment,” he urged a renewed commitment to hard work, intellectual achievement, and “nerdiness.”
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His controversial support for high-skilled immigration reforms, combined with his broader cultural critique, reportedly deepened divisions within the MAGA movement. Some Republican leaders rejected his proposals, arguing they threatened American jobs.
Amid the backlash, speculation grew that this contributed to Ramaswamy stepping down from his role at DOGE. Despite the criticism, he remained optimistic, believing the US could revive its competitive spirit by prioritising excellence over mediocrity—a transformation he described as essential for success in a globalised world.
