Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was mocked online for wearing what appeared to be a knockoff Ohio State jersey to the team's home opener, with commenters noting that he could easily afford an authentic jersey given his estimated net worth of $3 billion. The backlash drew 3 million views and hundreds of comments on social media platform X. Critics accused Ramaswamy of being out of touch with ordinary Ohioans by wearing a cheap-looking jersey, while some commenters defended him as the next governor of Ohio. Ramaswamy's Democratic opponent Amy Acton also criticized him for attending the U.S. Open in New York City the previous day instead of spending Labor Day Weekend in Ohio.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican nominee for Ohio governor, was mocked online after wearing what critics called a "knockoff" Ohio State jersey to the team's home opener game against Ball State in Columbus on Saturday. The jersey, which featured the Ohio State logo and the number 1, did not match the team's official red jerseys with striped sleeves. Commenters compared it to a "Temu knockoff" or something that could be bought at "Walmart". The controversy drew over 3 million views on social media platform X, where Ramaswamy had also posted photos of himself gladhanding fans in the crowd. Some critics questioned why Ramaswamy, who has a large fortune, couldn't afford an authentic jersey. One commenter even suggested that their vote might be influenced by the clothing choice, saying "I can't vote for you with that jersey on I'm sorry man."
Written for “Vivek Ramaswamy Jersey Scandal” on 2026-09-07,
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Leaning score +0.35 for article 6028 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-07
Ohio governor hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy was mocked online after attending Ohio State’s home opener in what commenters described as a “knockoff” jersey.
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commenters → mock → 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.
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himself → endorse → crowd
Let’s go Bucks,” he wrote on X.
The post quickly went viral, drawing 3 million views and hundreds of comments.
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post → let → 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.
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it → home → sleeves
According to critics, Ramaswamy’s outfit resembled a “Temu knockoff,” the “generic CVS” version, and something “fresh off the rack at Walmart.”
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outfit → accord → 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.”
uncertain
I → say → jersey
The Independent has contacted Ramaswamy’s campaign for comment.
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Independent → contact → 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.
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candidate → appear → jersey
Ramaswamy, an Ohio native, Harvard graduate and founder of a drug development company, has an estimated net worth of $3 billion, according to Forbes.
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Ramaswamy → have → 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.
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another → ’re → jersey
That seems fitting.”
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That → seem → ?
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.
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user → seek → routine
Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor, slammed her opponent for attending the tennis tournament in a Saturday social media post.
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Acton → slam → 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.
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culture → think → 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.
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he → celebrate → time
“I thought celebrating sports was dumb?” wrote one X user, while another added:“Man, mimicking the culture you mock… interesting.”
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you → think → culture
Some commenters, however, came to Ramaswamy’s defense.
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commenters → come → defense
“Hilarious how many people think claiming that Vivek's jersey is ‘fake’ or ‘cheap’ is a gotcha,” wrote one user.
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user → think → ?
Ladies and gentlemen,” wrote another.
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another → write → ?
Ramaswamy will face off against Acton on November 3.
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Ramaswamy → face → November
Polls indicate it is shaping up to be a close race.
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it → indicate → ?
