Vivek Ramaswamy, the former Republican presidential candidate, faced questions about his Hindu faith during a recent event at Penn State as part of his “You’ve Been Brainwashed Tour” for Turning Point USA. An audience member challenged him on the compatibility of Hinduism with American values, accusing him of omitting his faith during his speech until prompted. The student criticized Ramaswamy for not clearly stating his religious identity, suggesting that attendees might assume he was referring to Jesus Christ when discussing God.

October 9, 2024

In response, Ramaswamy maintained his composure and defended his Hindu identity, arguing that he had openly discussed his faith in previous speeches. He emphasized that the essence of American politics should focus on the content of ideas rather than questioning someone's religious beliefs. He referenced Thomas Jefferson to illustrate that a person's religious identity should not disqualify them from leadership, asserting that the commitment to the Constitution is what truly matters.

Ramaswamy has previously expressed pride in his Hindu faith, asserting that it informs his views on religious liberty and governance. His handling of the confrontation elicited mixed reactions online, with some praising his composure while others criticized his responses as generic and evasive.