Prominent British journalist Mehdi Hasan has issued a strong condemnation of what he describes as "brazenly racist and anti-Indian abuse" directed at Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy and his family. Hasan urged for a rejection of such attacks across all political party lines, regardless of ideology.
Crossing a Serious Line: Attacks from MAGA Base
In a detailed post on the social media platform X, Hasan clarified that while he fundamentally disagrees with Ramaswamy on politics and policy, the treatment of the politician and his family, including his children, was "outrageous" and "disgusting." He argued that the abuse originating from segments of the MAGA Christian nationalist base had crossed a serious line and deserved universal condemnation.
Vivek Ramaswamy, who is campaigning for the governor of Ohio, has faced a significant wave of racial attacks in recent weeks. These attacks have notably come from far-right figures within the GOP. White nationalist commentator Nick Fuentes has been a primary instigator, repeatedly targeting Ramaswamy with xenophobic language, questioning his background and his place in American politics.
Fuentes has explicitly stated his plans to actively campaign against Ramaswamy in the 2026 Ohio race, urging his followers to oppose the candidate specifically because of his Indian heritage. Shockingly, even after receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, Ramaswamy continues to face vile comments, including calls for him to "self-deport."
Bipartisan Criticism and Escalation to Family
The disturbing rhetoric has drawn criticism from both sides of the political aisle, highlighting the severity of the issue. Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna described the language used against Ramaswamy as "chilling." He warned that such race- and religion-based attacks represent a dangerous strain of extremism gaining ground in US politics. Several Republican commentators have also publicly rejected and criticized Fuentes's remarks.
The controversy deepened alarmingly when social media users began targeting Ramaswamy's young children, sharing images and posting abusive comments about them. This escalation to family members marked a new low in the personal attacks.
Vice President Vance Also Responds to Racist Slurs
The issue of racist political abuse touched another high-profile figure as well. Vice President JD Vance publicly weighed in after his wife, Usha Vance, who is of Indian descent and Hindu faith, faced similar racist remarks, including being called a "jeet." Vance responded with forceful defiance, stating that anyone who attacked his wife on racial grounds "can eat s---t."
The incidents involving Ramaswamy and Vance's family underscore a troubling pattern of xenophobic and racist rhetoric being deployed in American political discourse. As Mehdi Hasan emphasized, such attacks demand a clear and united rejection from all quarters to uphold basic decency and respect.
