Far-right Christian nationalist pastor Joel Webbon went on a virulently racist tirade this week, proclaiming that Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy must be "demolished" to punish the GOP and warn them off ever nominating "polytheistic, demon-worshiping, cow-worshiping, bare-feet scamming anchor baby Indians" to office again.
The clip, posted to X by Right Wing Watch, showed Webbon getting visibly animated as he worked himself up — and it comes as the GOP is increasingly fractured over Ramaswamy's candidacy. Ramaswamy was named to co-lead President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency alongside Elon Musk after the 2024 election, but dropped out of the role to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.
"If he becomes the governor of Ohio, you have solidified Vivek's political career for the rest of his life in America; he's not going away," said Webbon. "This is the chance to say, no, never, ever, go back home. Get out of our country."
"You were born in America, sure, by days," he continued. "Your dad hates our country, never took the time to become a citizen. You're an anchor baby. Your family built their wealth by robbing white people with miracle drugs that you knew were not going to be viable. You became a billionaire. You paid your way onto every podcast. You've been lying, you've been deceiving, and this is not American. You are not American, you are a Hindu, you are a polytheist, you are a false idol worshipper. Go home! Get out of our country!"
Ramaswamy's father legally immigrated from India and worked as an engineer for General Electric. He has chosen not to pursue U.S. citizenship, a fact Ramaswamy has discussed publicly. There is no evidence supporting Webbon's claim that he harbors animosity toward the United States. Ramaswamy was born in Cincinnati to Indian immigrant parents who came to the country legally.
"I don't care about you quoting Thomas Jefferson, I don't care about you pretending to honor the founders," added Webbon. "This is America! We wear shoes in this country. We eat beef in this country. We worship Christ exclusively in this country. We don't rob people of their wealth in this country. Get the hell out! That is the proper response."
Webbon has previously claimed that "godly" women don't speak in public, and that it is a "failure of parental duty" not to teach white kids to avoid Black people.