COLUMBUS, Ohio (Diya TV) — Indian American Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy has announced that he has quit using social media platforms personally, calling them a distraction that distorts reality and fuels manufactured outrage. The former presidential candidate and current Ohio gubernatorial contender says he has removed X and Instagram from his phone and plans to spend that time engaging directly with voters across the state.
In an opinion piece published by The Wall Street Journal on Jan. 5, Ramaswamy described his New Year’s resolution as becoming a “social-media teetotaler” in 2026. While his campaign accounts remain active, he says he no longer browses or consumes content on social media himself.
Ramaswamy clarified that his decision does not mean a total disappearance from digital platforms. His campaign team continues to manage and post content on his behalf. He stressed that there is a key difference between sharing messages online and allowing constant digital feedback to shape political thinking.
“There’s a fine line between using the internet to distribute your message and letting social media use you,” he wrote. Ramaswamy said he wants to avoid that trap as his Ohio governor campaign gains momentum. The biotech entrepreneur said the time saved from scrolling will go toward listening to voters, shaping policies to make Ohio more affordable, and spending more time with his family.
Ramaswamy has traveled extensively across Ohio, visiting all 88 counties. He said those in-person interactions sharply contrast with what he sees online. Despite facing repeated race-based attacks on social media, he claims he has not encountered such hostility face-to-face.
“I didn’t hear a single bigoted remark from an Ohio voter the entire year,” he wrote. He described meeting people in inner cities, rural farms, union halls, factories, and protest settings. According to Ramaswamy, these conversations felt grounded and respectful.
He argued that social media often presents a warped version of public opinion. Loud voices online, he said, rarely reflect the views of everyday voters.
The Indian-origin Republican has frequently addressed racism within political discourse. He has spoken out against racial slurs and extremist rhetoric, including criticism of far-right influencer Nick Fuentes. Ramaswamy cited research suggesting that much online political hate is amplified by bots and foreign actors.
In his op-ed, he referenced studies showing unusual patterns of engagement linked to extremist accounts. He also cited reporting that found hundreds of automated accounts driving viral political hashtags and conspiracy theories during the 2024 election cycle.
Ramaswamy said these digital dynamics create false impressions of public sentiment. He warned that politicians who rely too heavily on social media risk confusing online noise with voter reality.
Ramaswamy said his decision was partly inspired by a conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her U.S. visit in July 2024. He wrote that Meloni avoids consuming news media to prevent it from influencing her political strategy. He praised her approach of traveling the country and engaging directly with citizens. Ramaswamy said he hopes to adopt a similar model as he campaigns across Ohio.
Ramaswamy admitted the challenge of staying offline. He joked that he might find himself scrolling X again by March. Still, he said he is fully committed to the experiment for now and believes it could make him a better leader. He urged other Republicans to consider stepping back from social media. Ramaswamy argued that digital abstinence could be an “extra X-factor” for winning elections in 2026.
While criticizing social media’s influence on politicians, Ramaswamy said he does not want citizens to stop using these platforms. He acknowledged their role in free expression and political engagement. His concern centers on what he called the “Twitter prison,” where leaders feel trapped by constant online reaction.
Ramaswamy said real leadership requires breaking free from that cycle. He believes politics should focus less on viral outrage and more on direct human connection. As his Ohio gubernatorial campaign continues, Ramaswamy’s social media profiles may remain active. The candidate himself, however, says he is choosing the road, the town hall, and the living room conversation over the endless scroll.
