Vivek Ramaswamy mocked for wearing knockoff Ohio State jersey at home opener

Ohio governor hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy was mocked online after attending Ohio State’s home opener in what commenters described as a “knockoff” jersey.

The Trump-endorsed Republican nominee watched Saturday’s game against Ball State in Columbus and later posted photos of himself gladhanding fans in the crowd. “Great start to the season. Let’s go Bucks,” he wrote on X.

The post quickly went viral, drawing 3 million views and hundreds of comments. College football fans homed in on Ramaswamy’s black jersey — which featured the Ohio State logo and the number 1 — noting it did not match the team’s official red jerseys with striped sleeves.

According to critics, Ramaswamy’s outfit resembled a “Temu knockoff,” the “generic CVS” version, and something “fresh off the rack at Walmart.” One even said that the clothing choice could impact his decision at the ballot box, writing: “I can’t vote for you with that jersey on I’m sorry man.”

The Independent has contacted Ramaswamy’s campaign for comment.

The backlash appeared to hinge less on fashion than on optics: the gubernatorial candidate has a massive fortune and could easily afford an authentic jersey – or hundreds. Ramaswamy, an Ohio native, Harvard graduate and founder of a drug development company, has an estimated net worth of $3 billion, according to Forbes.

“You’re a billionaire, why don’t you own an officially licensed OSU jersey?” wrote one X user, while another chimed in: “A billionaire in a knockoff jersey. That seems fitting.”

Others sought to paint Ramaswamy — who won the GOP primary in May — as an out-of-touch member of the coastal elite, noting that he appeared to have attended the U.S. Open in New York City the previous day.

“This loser flies in late from NY tennis match, slaps on a $19.99 Walmart special OSU jersey, probably given to him by handlers, cuz, you know, optics, and does his kissing babies routine,” one X user wrote.

Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor, slammed her opponent for attending the tennis tournament in a Saturday social media post.

“Vivek Ramaswamy thinks he is too good to spend Labor Day Weekend in Ohio, instead jetting off in his private plane to watch the U.S. Open in VIP seating with his billionaire friends,” she wrote on X.

Still other commenters seized on a viral 2024 post by Ramaswamy in which he wrote that American culture venerates “mediocrity” over excellence. “A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers,” he wrote at the time.

“I thought celebrating sports was dumb?” wrote one X user, while another added:“Man, mimicking the culture you mock… interesting.”

Some commenters, however, came to Ramaswamy’s defense.

“Hilarious how many people think claiming that Vivek's jersey is ‘fake’ or ‘cheap’ is a gotcha,” wrote one user. “THE next governor of O H I O! Ladies and gentlemen,” wrote another.

Ramaswamy will face off against Acton on November 3. Polls indicate it is shaping up to be a close race.