Indian-origin Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy emphasized the importance of the ‘American Dream’ during his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He urged people to overcome fear and freely express their thoughts, stating that this dream has been pivotal in America’s victories in the American Revolution, two world wars, and the Cold War. Ramaswamy expressed confidence that reviving this dream would make the US unbeatable by any nation, virus, or China.
“Fear has been infectious in this country. But courage can be contagious, too. That, too, is what it means to be an American…If you’re at home and you disagree with everything I just said, our message to you is this: We will still defend to the death your right to say it, because that is who we are as Americans,” said the GOP leader, who dropped out of the presidential race earlier this year.
“We are the country where we can disagree like hell and still get together at the dinner table at the end of it. That is the America I know. That is the America we miss,” he added.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk also responded to Ramaswamy’s comments.
“Well said!!” Musk posted on his X handle.
Ramaswamy further declared, “We don’t need to be a nation in decline,” asserting that the US can still be a rising nation with its best days ahead. He elaborated that in the US, people can succeed through commitment, dedication, and hard work, regardless of their identity or surname.
“That country where, no matter who you are, where your parents came from or what your skin colour is, or how long your last name is, you will still get ahead in this country with your own hard work, your own commitment, your own dedication, and that you know what? You are free to speak your mind at every step of the way,” Ramaswamy said.
The Indian-origin leader added that “American exceptionalism” will be restored when Donald Trump returns to the White House.
“That is the American dream. That is what won us the American Revolution. That is what reunited us after the civilizational war. That is what won us two world wars and the Cold War. That is what still gives hope to the free world,” Ramaswamy said.
He added, “And if we can revive that dream over group identity, victimhood, and grievance, then nobody in the world, not a nation, not a corporation, not a virus, not China, is going to defeat us. That is what American exceptionalism is all about. And that is what we will revive this November when we send Donald J. Trump back to the White House.”
Earlier in the day, the 38-year-old stated that illegal immigrants would be sent back to their countries of origin.
“Our message to illegal immigrants is also this; we will return you to your country of origin. Not because you’re all bad people, but because you broke the law, and the United States of America was founded on the rule of law,” he stated.
Ramaswamy added that he would secure the southern border on his first day in office if they came to power.
Addressing black Americans, he said, “The media has tried to convince you for decades that Republicans don’t care about your communities. We want for you what we want for every American: safe neighborhoods, clean streets, good jobs, a better life for your children, and a justice system that treats everyone equally – regardless of your skin colour or your political beliefs.”