In a disturbing turn of events, far-right political commentator Milo Yiannopoulos has drafted and sent a hate-filled letter to Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy. This aggressive act came shortly after Ramaswamy, a prominent figure in the GOP, publicly announced his decision to delete all social media apps from his phone as a personal resolution for 2026.
A Vitriolic Response to a Digital Detox
The typed letter from Yiannopoulos contained a pasted screenshot of his own post on the platform X. In it, he wrote a menacing message aimed at Ramaswamy: "In case you're wondering whether the abuse will continue in your absence, the answer is YES." The communication escalated with a deeply offensive line targeting the Indian-American politician: "May you lose in such a manner that even your Alzheimer's victims never forget it." The rest of the letter was reportedly filled with profanity.
Ramaswamy's announcement to step back from social media was detailed in an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal. He argued that sensing the pulse of social media is not a politician's core job, stating that ground reality often differs vastly from online narratives. To illustrate his point, he shared that while he faced significant racist abuse online—including being told to "go back to India"—such sentiments were completely absent during his in-person campaign visits across counties in Ohio. He confirmed that his campaign team would manage his official social media accounts while he personally refrains from checking them.
Ramaswamy Strengthens His 2026 Ticket
Despite facing trolling and criticism for his social media exit, Vivek Ramaswamy moved decisively to bolster his political future. He formally announced Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as his running mate for the 2026 election for Lieutenant Governor of Ohio. The 41-year-old McColley, first elected to the Ohio House in 2014 and appointed to the Senate in 2017, brings established political experience to the ticket.
In a statement, Ramaswamy emphasized his outsider status, saying, "I'm an entrepreneur, not a politician", and described McColley as a "governing partner" who could help advance their legislative goals. He praised McColley as a proven conservative leader committed to making the American Dream accessible to every Ohioan.
Rob McColley reciprocated the enthusiasm, stating that Ohio needs "a businessman, not a bureaucrat; a creator, not a quitter." He declared Vivek Ramaswamy would be one of the boldest leaders in the state's history and expressed honor in helping execute his vision.
Political Rivalry Heats Up
The political landscape for the 2026 race is taking clear shape. On the Democratic side, Ramaswamy's rival, candidate Amy Acton, has announced her selection for lieutenant governor: David Pepper, the former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party who served from 2015 to 2021. This sets the stage for a highly contested election.
The incident underscores the intensely polarized and often toxic nature of modern political discourse, especially online. While Ramaswamy seeks to distance himself from the digital fray to focus on in-person connections, the backlash—exemplified by Yiannopoulos's hate letter—proves that the noise can be inescapable. However, by solidifying his ticket with a seasoned political figure like McColley, Ramaswamy is signaling a strategic focus on governance and ground-level campaigning as he eyes the 2026 election.
