'He knows a bait when he sees it': Internet rallies behind Vivek Ramaswamy as he blasts reporter over 'stupid question' on white supremacy

SCOTT COUNTY, IOWA: Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy responded strongly to a reporter on Wednesday, January 3, who questioned him about his stance on "white supremacy and white nationalism," during a campaign event in Scott County, Iowa.

The 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur clarified his position, stating that white supremacy is not the root cause of the problem of racism and argued that "affirmative action" is a significant contributor to the racial tension and conflict in the country.

This incident follows recent online ridicule directed at Ramaswamy after he expressed gratitude to former Iowa Rep Steve King for endorsing his presidential campaign.

Vivek Ramaswamy fires back at a Washington Post reporter over question on white supremacy

Ramaswamy said, "Of course, I condemn any form of vicious racial discrimination in this country. But I think that the presumption of your question is fundamentally based on a falsehood that really is the main form of racial discrimination we see in this country today," to the Washington Post reporter. 

He added, "Institutionalized racism is institutionalized racial discrimination that we see that doesn't come from somehow discriminating against people on the basis of some tentative white supremacy."

"It's based on affirmative action. It's based on actually discriminating against people on the color of their skin in a way that's actually institutionalized today," asserted Ramaswamy. 

Vivek Ramaswamy says he won't give into the 'new religion of modern wokeism'

Ramaswamy recognized that historically "vicious forms of anti-Black or anti-Brown discrimination" were prevalent in the US, as per the New York Post. However, he criticized the reporters for "looking in the rearview mirror…to pose a question today that is so far removed from what the reality is."

"I think that it’s, frankly, questions and framings like that, that has caused the American public to lose all trust in the mainstream media. I am sorry to say for good reason," noted the entrepreneur. 

The Washington Post reporter interjected, pointing out to the GOP candidate, "You didn't say that you condemn white supremacy."

Ramaswamy retorted, "I'm not I’m not gonna recite some catechism for you. I am against vicious racial discrimination in this country."

"I'm not pledging allegiance to your new religion of modern wokeism...I am not gonna bend the knee to your religion, I am sorry," remarked the visibly frustrated presidential candidate, criticizing the reporter for posing a "stupid question."

He expressed, "You want to know what the best way is to end discrimination on the basis of race? Stop discriminating on the basis of race – do that and we’re going to move this country forward."

"And I don't care if you're Black or White or Brown or anything in between. That's how we're gonna unite this country," mentioned Ramaswamy. 

Internet rallies behind Vivek Ramaswamy's stern response to the Washington Post reporter

Soon after Ramaswamy's response to the Washington Post reporter's question surfaced on the internet, followers of the presidential hopeful as well as netizens agreed with his points. 

One noted, "Vivek delivers a master class on handling reporters and their ‘gotcha’ questions," while another said, "Vivek knows bait when he sees it. Good on you calling it out and providing a solid response." 

A person expressed, "And this is the smartest straight to the point answer I ever heard from a Presidential candidate in a long long time, I said it months ago and he always proves me right, @VivekGRamaswamy is a good Leader."

"Indeed. But your response was excellent! We need more of this," wrote someone else, and an individual chimed in, "If Vivek gets into office I hope his promises are genuine, not just campaign rhetoric to win votes." 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.