Washington:
39-year-old entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy finds himself at the heart of a heated debate after offering barefoot interviews online at home. The video, recorded livestream last year, sparked a wave of strong responses on social media, with some critics labeling his actions as “uncivilized” and “anti-American.”
Commentator Ian Mile Chong quickly defended Ramaswamy and dismissed the backlash as “the stupidest argument” he had heard. Cheong pointed out that going barefoot in her own home is not anti-American, and perhaps critics are influenced by sitcoms where the characters wear shoes in bed.
The stupid argument I heard about Vivek is that going barefoot in your own home is anti-American. I think there are too many people who grew up on sitcoms wearing shoes in bed. pic.twitter.com/jvfjma6vke
– Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) February 28, 2025
Despite Chung's defense, many critics continued to express their anger on social media. One user wrote, “Vivek will never become governor of Ohio. This is unacceptable for America.” Another has been added. The third user has had problems with Ramaswamy's choice and says, “Vivek will speak to us barefoot about education.
However, not everyone was critical of Ramaswamy's actions. Many users came to his defense and pointed out that removing shoes indoors is a common practice in many cultures, including South and East Asia. “Almost every Indian go barefoot in their own home. There's nothing wrong with that. User commented, but added another comment on Indian traditions, “In Indian tradition, it is customary to remove your shoes before you enter someone's home, and is considered a sign of respect and hygiene. This practice is widely followed.”
Political commentator Kim Iversen added to the debate, saying, “I understand this as “culture,” but people who are not Asians who wear shoes in your home need a change in culture.” Iversen added that socks are also prohibited as shoes are not allowed in his home and there is a risk of slipping through hardwood floors.
Ramaswami himself tackled the backlash and said, “This is America, people. I put out a dog at my house saying I like it.” His response has been praised by those who view it as a sign of confidence and independence.
Some conservatives have criticised the background of Ramaswamy, while others have praised his reaction to the backlash. One user wrote: “Vivek showed extreme classes when Coulter stated completely for his race that he didn't vote for him. He continued the conversation and did not fall into the mentality of the victim.
