Vivek Ramaswamy, billionaire and former Republican presidential candidate, is under fire as social media explodes with accusations of financial misconduct. Critics claim Ramaswamy profited massively from a pump-and-dump scheme involving a failed Alzheimer’s drug, leaving investors in financial ruin.

The allegations focus on Ramaswamy’s pharmaceutical company, Roivant Sciences, which was touted as a biotechnology innovator. Instead, detractors argue, the company primarily acted as a financial vehicle. One of its most high-profile projects, Axovant, revolved around an Alzheimer’s drug that Ramaswamy acquired for $5 million. The drug became the cornerstone of a public relations blitz, pushing the company’s valuation to $2.2 billion before its eventual collapse.

Ramaswamy has attempted to deflect criticism by positioning himself as an advocate for STEM education and “meritocracy.” However, his detractors argue his career contradicts these values. One user wrote, “Vivek Ramaswamy scammed $2 billion with a failed Alzheimer’s drug and is now lecturing Americans on how hardworking Indians are. I urge Donald Trump to open an investigation and deport him to India.”

  • fnie@lemm.ee
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    5 days ago

    Deport him where? “Back” to India? He’s American. The word “deport” suddenly turned this call for justice that I would normally support into something reminiscent of WWII Japanese American internment camp propaganda.

    • leadore@lemmy.world
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      Trump has promised to end birthright citizenship, and floated revoking citizenship of those who already have it if their parents weren’t citizens. Neither of Ramaswamy’s parents were citizens when he was born; his father still isn’t. So if Trump achieves his goal, Vivek could then technically lose his US citizenship.

      In a sit-down interview Tuesday, Ramaswamy noted that his father is not a U.S. citizen and never took the test. “He did not. And that’s a choice that he has made for familial reasons,” Ramaswamy said.

      “But my mother did,” he continued, explaining that she took the test and completed the process** after he was born**. “And I think that every immigrant who comes to this country in order to become a full voting citizen has to do the same.”

    • The25002@lemmings.world
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      5 days ago

      This is where it gets funny. Word on the street is that part of Trump’s administration cracking down on immigration will result in getting rid of the “anchor baby” protection status. Vivek is an anchor baby.