Vivek Ramaswamy announced his bid for Ohio governor and declared that he would end the “war on work” in the state.
The former Republican presidential candidate spoke about his plans Monday at a rally in his hometown of Cincinnati, declaring, “I will lead Ohio to become the state of excellence in America.”
The 39-year-old who dropped out of the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and endorsed President Donald Trump went on to deliver his vision for cutting waste in Ohio’s government.
Vivek just dropped a NUKE: “We’re going to end the war on work in America, starting right here in Ohio, by reattaching work requirements to Medicaid and welfare to address the worker shortage in this state.”
“It’s not compassion to make somebody more dependent on the government.… pic.twitter.com/jUel2q64Nq
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 24, 2025
“We’re going to end the war on work in America—starting right here in Ohio—by reattaching work requirements to Medicaid and welfare,” Ramaswamy told the crowd.
“It’s not compassion to make somebody more dependent on the government,” he continued. “The compassionate thing to do is to help them achieve their independence from it.”
Though not a new idea, the proposal seemed to resonate with many on social media even amid the skeptics.
Amazing. This is the right idea.
— E (@EPSedlock) February 24, 2025
A hand up. NOT a hand out. 👏👏🇺🇸
— Jim Harris (@MrJim_Harris) February 25, 2025
This should not be too much to ask. Permanent dependence helps no one. Reagan did some of this for a time. Don’t know when it ended.
— YellowJacket (@YellowJ01650816) February 24, 2025
Stop! I can’t take it anymore. Every day I wake up to more winning, and I know tomorrow will be even more winningly. My heart can’t take the strain.
— XYZofGravity🦅🇺🇸🗽⚖️ (@bagoH2O) February 25, 2025
Ramaswamy also proposed a return of “psychiatric institutions,” telling the skeptics that it was a “touchy subject” but needed to be addressed when talking about tackling crime issues.
“Bring back the psychiatric institutions. Jails shouldn’t be the first line of mental healthcare. This shouldn’t be controversial,” he wrote on X, sharing a clip of his remarks from the rally.
HOLY MOLY! Vivek just said he wants to bring back insane asylums to Ohio as governor.
“We are going to bring back the psychiatric institutions that were wrongfully shuttered. This is a touchy subject, but I’m going to go there. I’m going to go there because it’s the right place… pic.twitter.com/DZBA63vdow
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 24, 2025
“We are going to bring back the psychiatric institutions that were wrongfully shuttered. This is a touchy subject, but I’m going to go there. I’m going to go there because it’s the right place to go,” he told the rally crowd.
“Our jails can no longer be the first line of psychiatric care in this state. That is not compassion. That is cruelty to everyone involved. And we’re going to put an end to it,” Ramaswamy said.
He sparked a reaction from Elon Musk and many others for his proposition.
💯
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 25, 2025
I love how you’re thinking.
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 25, 2025
Fully support this
— dudley 🤖 (@chewedupdogtoy) February 25, 2025
Hallelujah! I am tired of watching the mentally ill become homeless drug addicts because of their mental health and the lack of care for them. Oversight needs to be put in place, though.
— D Gwin (@DGwin12) February 25, 2025
Very good point. Let’s get people the help they need. Not jail.
— Joseph (@JosephB10932116) February 25, 2025
