Vivek Ramaswamy sent social media into a meltdown this week after an old clip of him being interviewed with no shoes on resurfaced online.
The entrepreneur and short-lived DOGE co-leader, 39, is currently running for governor of Ohio following a run for president in the 2024 election.
During a resurfaced live stream held inside of his own home last year, the Harvard graduate’s decision to go barefoot sparked a strong reaction on X (formerly Twitter), with one user going as far as to brand Ramaswamy ‘uncivilized.’
‘Vivek will never be governor of Ohio. This is unacceptable for America,’ wrote one.
‘What is Vivek doing?’ asked another, while a third wrote, ‘Vivek lectures us about education while barefoot. Uncivilized.’
A fourth added, ‘Maybe at least have some socks on while you interview for a position in the most powerful empire on the planet, yeah?’
However, some came to Ramaswamy’s defense, including political pundit Kim Iversen.
‘I understand this is a “culture” thing, but you non-Asians wearing shoes in your homes need a culture shift,’ wrote Iversen, who is of Vietnamese descent.
Vivek Ramaswamy has been criticized for doing an interview while wearing no shoes. The interview was part of a live stream from last year, which was held inside his home
‘Also, in my house not only do we remove our shoes but you can’t wear socks either. I have all hardwood floors and we’ve already have four people slip and fall,’ she added.
Another backed up Iversen, writing, ‘Shoes in a home are disgusting. This is a hygiene thing, not a cultural thing.’
When contacted by DailyMail.com for comment, Ramaswamy said, ‘This is America, folks. I let the dogs out in my house when I feel like it.’
Ramaswamy was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, but is the son of Indian immigrants.
Culturally, most people on South Asia and East Asia remove their shoes indoors.
While the practice has yet to become mainstream in the West, some doctors have warned Americans against keeping their shoes on inside the house, due to potential health risks.
Footwear worn outside can pick up harmful bacteria such as e-coli – which can lead to life-threatening kidney failure.
You might also trudge in fecal matter from public bathrooms, explained Dr Kunal Sood, a pain management specialist working in Maryland.
The Harvard graduate’s decision to go barefoot sparked a strong reaction on X
Dr Sood adds that shoes can also harbor pesticides – which have been linked to some types of cancers and birth defects in children.
His warnings are partly based on the results of a study by researchers from the University of Arizona, which found 96 percent of shoes tested picked up more bacteria than hands and floors.
Ramaswamy’s Indian background has at times become an issue for American conservatives since he entered politics.
Last May, conservative commentator Ann Coulter praised the former presidential candidate, but then said she would not vote for him because of his ethnicity.
Ramaswamy warmly welcomed Coulter to his podcast, where she returned with praise, calling the Republican rising star ‘bright and articulate.’
Coulter said that she agreed with Ramaswamy on many subjects, but shocked listeners with her reason for admitting she would never vote for him.
‘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 voted for you because you’re an Indian,’ Coulter said.
Ramaswamy’s Indian background has at times become an issue for American conservatives since he entered politics
Ramaswamy was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, but is the son of Indian immigrants. Pictured with his wife Apoorva Tewari Ramaswamy their two sons
Listeners praised Ramaswamy for how he handled the conversation and slammed Coulter for her comments, calling them ‘racist.’
‘This interview, the way Vivek handled himself and continued the interview, shows the magnanimous man he is,’ said Kim Carrico-Stephens on X.
‘Ann Coulter you’re an abhorrent racist! Vivek is America First, will not be bullied.’
‘Vivek showed extreme class when Coulter stated flat out because of his race she would not vote for him,’ said Eric Pistey.
‘He kept the conversation going and never fell into an offended or victim mentality. Well done by him.’
