Some Iowa Republicans Cautious to Support Ramaswamy Because ‘They Think He’s a Muslim’
AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Some Iowa Republicans are allegedly cautious to support Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy because “they think he’s a Muslim” due to his “dark skin.”
After Ramaswamy’s wife, Apoorva Ramaswamy, reportedly asked two supporters why some Republicans were hesitant to support her husband’s campaign on Thursday, one of them replied, “Well, the only one I have and I couldn’t even remember who said it to me, but they mentioned his dark skin and they think he’s Muslim.”
The supporter told Mrs. Ramaswamy, “I kind of set them straight on that. I don’t know if they believe me or think I was covering for him, I don’t know.”
According to NBC News, Mrs. Ramaswamy “listened intently” before acknowledging, “Not much we can do about that one.”
Vivek and Apoorva Ramaswamy both practice the Hindu faith. Ramaswamy was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Indian-born parents. His wife was born in India before immigrating to the United States at the age of four.
After being asked about his faith during a town hall in December, Ramaswamy declared, “I’m Hindu, just so you’re all aware, which is different than traditional Christians who have been the usual, you know, obviously background of someone running for U.S. president.”
He noted, however, that he had attended the Catholic St. Xavier High School and said Hindus and Christians “share the same value set in common.”
Last year, during an interview with Glenn Beck, Ramaswamy also boasted that he had read the Bible “more closely” than many of his “Christian friends.”
Despite this, Ramaswamy has received scrutiny from some Republicans over his Hindu faith.
In July, controversial pastor Hank Kunneman warned young conservatives against becoming enamored with Ramaswamy.
“What are we doing even entertaining the fact? You’re gonna have some dude put his hand on something other than the Bible?” questioned Kunneman. “You’re gonna let him put all of his strange gods up in the White House and we’re just supposed to blink because he understands policies?”
