Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy recently commended commentator Ann Coulter for her directness during an episode of his podcast, despite her stating she would not vote for him due to his Indian heritage. Coulter, known for her provocative views, justified her stance by emphasizing what she described as the core national identity rooted in White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) heritage. She argued that while the U.S. can incorporate people of diverse backgrounds, its foundational values were established by WASPs.
During the podcast, Coulter acknowledged her agreement with many of Ramaswamy’s positions during his presidential campaign but maintained that his ethnicity was a deciding factor in her not supporting his candidacy. She remarked on historical precedents regarding U.S. presidents’ ethnic backgrounds and religious affiliations, noting the predominant English ancestry and Protestant faith among them.
SAY WHAT⁉️
Ann Coulter joined @VivekGRamaswamy on the return of his TRUTH podcast and gave a WILD opening statement
“I agreed with many, many things you said.. in fact probably more than most other candidates when you were running for president.. but I still would not have… pic.twitter.com/xxme5JhQCn
— James Jinnette (@james_jinnette1) May 8, 2024
Ramaswamy responded by arguing that immigrants or their descendants could potentially exhibit greater loyalty to the U.S. than some long-standing citizens who might hold contempt for their country. After the episode, he expressed appreciation for Coulter’s straightforwardness on social media, highlighting their differing views but praising her willingness to speak openly.
This exchange reflects ongoing discussions about identity and inclusivity in U.S. politics. Ramaswamy himself has faced challenges related to perceptions about his ethnicity and presumed religious affiliation, as indicated by a report from one of his supporters stating that some Iowa Republicans hesitated to support him due to these factors.
Watch the full podcast episode here: