Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy frequently touts a rags-to-riches story on the campaign trail, declaring during Wednesday night’s debate that his parents immigrated to the U.S. with nothing, but public records and Ramaswamy’s past writings paint a more nuanced picture about his upbringing.
“I’m not a politician,” Ramaswamy said during his opening remarks at the Fox News-hosted debate in Milwaukee. “I’m an entrepreneur. My parents came to this country with no money 40 years ago. I have gone on to found multibillion dollar companies.”
Later in the debate, while discussing his support for school choice, Ramaswamy said he “didn’t grow up in money.”