Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy responded on Wednesday to a video of his high school graduation speech that has gained attention on social media. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the biotech investor remarked that he was “against bureaucracy back then too,” accompanied by a laughing emoji.
Mr. Ramaswamy’s statement indicates that his beliefs have been consistent over the years.
The 22-year-old footage features a young Mr. Ramaswamy addressing his classmates and guests at St. Xavier High School in Ohio. During his speech, he reflects on his high school experience.
“I have been racing throughout my entire high school career, but now that we are finally crossing the finish line, I wish I could have paused just a little earlier to take in the fresh air that has surrounded me all along,” he expressed.
Referencing literature from his English class, Ramaswamy stated, “It is better to travel than to arrive,” acknowledging his mixed emotions about graduating high school.
“How am I supposed to feel right now?” he pondered, as he processed his final moments at the institution.
Mr. Ramaswamy, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, distinguished himself as a nationally-ranked tennis player and served as the valedictorian of his high school. He earned a degree in Biology from Harvard University and subsequently obtained his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School while employed at a hedge fund. Following the completion of his academic pursuits, Mr. Ramaswamy established his own biotechnology firm, Roivant Sciences, where he played a pivotal role in the development of five drugs that received approval from the FDA.
In 2022, he launched Strive, an asset management firm based in Ohio.
Recently, President-elect Donald Trump appointed Mr. Ramaswamy and technology entrepreneur Elon Musk to lead the newly created ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ within the U.S. government. These positions are informal and do not require Senate confirmation. According to Trump, the objective of Musk and Ramaswamy in this department will be to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies, reduce excessive regulations, curtail wasteful spending, and reorganize federal agencies.
