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Vivek Ramaswamy’s 2003 graduation speech goes viral following govt appointment by Trump
The speech has gone viral on social media as Ramaswamy prepares to assume leadership of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), alongside billionaire Elon Musk.
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Vivek Ramaswamy’s 2003 graduation speech / Image- X (@GabbbarSingh)
Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who was recently announced as part of President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, has seen a resurgence in popularity over a 2003 commencement speech he delivered at St. Xavier High School.
The speech, which emphasizes valuing the journey over the destination, has gone viral on social media as Ramaswamy prepares to assume leadership of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), alongside billionaire Elon Musk.
In the video, shared widely on X (formerly Twitter), the then-18-year-old Ramaswamy speaks about the intense focus he had placed on reaching graduation, acknowledging a shift in perspective at that pivotal moment. “I have been racing my entire high school career, but now, when we are finally crossing the finish line, I wish I could have stopped, just a little earlier, to catch a breath of the fresh air around me,” he remarked.
An 18 year old Vivek Ramaswamy. Look at the poise, articulation and confidence. I think this is what an IB education should yield. In my time most of us kids were preparing for Backend jobs. pic.twitter.com/OtgApse0vQ
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) November 13, 2024
Reflecting on the word "commencement," which paradoxically means both “beginning” and is used for ceremonies marking the end of school, Ramaswamy noted the duality of the occasion. “So, tonight, which is it really? The climatic ending or simply the launch pad for which we now embark?” he asked his classmates, emphasizing that the answer lies in valuing the journey itself.
He urged his classmates to remember that their achievements stemmed from hard work and dedication, not merely luck, and he credited both personal effort and divine guidance in their success. “The sole end of that work shouldn’t be in achieving some great reward; rather it should be in the work itself. In a way, to give, and not to count the cost,” he said, inspiring listeners to appreciate the path taken rather than the destination alone.
The video has sparked widespread discussion online, with social media users admiring Ramaswamy’s eloquence and poise. “Public speaking skills are groomed, but there should be an innate zeal within oneself to polish and nourish it further,” one user commented. Another added, “18-year-old Vivek looks more ready for politics than most politicians today.”
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