Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, representing the Republican Party, has launched a scholarship program with the aim of revitalizing patriotism among young individuals amidst a decline in national pride.
Ramaswamy, a hopeful candidate for the 2024 election, has committed $250,000 in scholarship funds to promote patriotism. The scholarships, amounting to $25,000 each, will be awarded to 10 high school students this year.
To participate in the scholarship program, students are required to submit a two-minute video answering the question of what it means to be an American. A panel will select the recipients, who will have the freedom to utilize the scholarship for post-secondary education, entrepreneurial endeavors, or enrollment in military and law enforcement programs.
As a millennial presidential candidate, Ramaswamy has consistently advocated for encouraging younger generations to embrace a patriotic ideology. He has proposed that every high school graduate should be required to pass the same civics test as immigrants seeking naturalization in the United States.
During a Fox News interview prior to the July 4 celebrations, Ramaswamy also expressed his stance on the abolishment of the Department of Education, attributing it to the revival of national pride. He argued that shutting down the department would prevent the imposition of divisive and racially-driven agendas on local school districts.
There is evidence supporting Ramaswamy’s claims of diminishing national pride. According to a recent Gallup survey, only 38% of adults reported being “extremely proud” to be American, marking the lowest level since Gallup began tracking this data in 2001. Among individuals aged 18-35, the percentage dropped to 25%, while 51% of those aged 55 and above expressed being “extremely proud.”
Despite facing significant challenges in becoming the Republican Party’s frontrunner, Ramaswamy’s national polling numbers remain in the low single digits, averaging at 2.4% of Republican primary voter support, according to RealClearPolitics.
The administration of the scholarship funds will be overseen by the nonprofit organization Incubate Debate.
