In December 2024, entrepreneur and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy sparked controversy by defending the H-1B visa program, which allows foreign professionals to work temporarily in the United States. However, his recent silence on social media has led to widespread speculation, with many netizens suggesting his stance may have alienated him from former President Donald Trump, a key figure in Republican circles.
Ramaswamy’s comments came in a detailed tweet on December 26, 2024, where he attributed the reliance on foreign-born engineers by top U.S. tech firms to cultural shortcomings in America. He suggested prioritizing competitive academic pursuits over leisure activities, proposing cultural changes as a means to revitalize innovation. “We’ve awakened from slumber before, and we can do it again,” he asserted, calling for what he described as a “Sputnik moment” for the nation.
However, his absence from X (formerly Twitter) for nearly 10 days has raised questions. One user speculated, “That Vivek Ramaswamy has basically disappeared—hasn’t been heard from or tweeted for about 10 days—is probably the clearest confirmation that Trump didn’t approve of his intervention in the H-1B debate.”
Another user said, We haven’t heard from Vivek since he sparked a nationwide discussion over H-1B visas. The discussion exposed how top US firms undercut American salaries with foreign labor. It’s fair to wonder if Trump’s pro-big tech administration is quieting Vivek to keep this all under wraps.
Ramaswamy’s remarks on the H-1B program drew from his personal experience. The son of Indian immigrants who came to the U.S. on work visas, he excelled academically, becoming valedictorian at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. His upbringing informed his critique of American culture, which he believes undervalues hard work and innovation.
