Vivek Ramaswamy, former Republican presidential candidate, has faced intense backlash after stating that American workers are not being hired due to mediocrity. In a post on X, he argued that American culture has prioritized mediocrity over excellence, particularly since the 1990s. His comments were met with criticism from both the left and right, with figures like Nikki Haley and John Cardillo condemning his views.
Ramaswamy’s remarks coincided with a broader immigration debate, sparked by far-right activist Laura Loomer’s criticism of Trump’s appointment of Sriram Krishnan as a senior policy adviser on AI. Loomer took issue with Krishnan’s previous support for easing green card restrictions, accusing him of supporting policies that allow foreign workers to take jobs meant for American STEM students. This led to a wave of hate against Krishnan, with some individuals accusing Indian Americans of “stealing jobs.”
However, Ramaswamy’s comments found backing from his Department of Government Efficiency co-chair, Elon Musk, who voiced his support for H-1B visas, arguing that the U.S. lacks enough talented engineers. The controversy also saw support for Krishnan from figures like Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Silicon Valley entrepreneur David Sacks, who championed American exceptionalism and global talent.
Despite the backlash, Ramaswamy and Musk remained firm in their beliefs, underscoring the need for a broader talent pool to drive innovation in America.
