Vivek Ramaswamy critiques U.S. culture, blames ’90s TV like ‘Saved by the Bell’ for challenges

Vivek Ramaswamy critiques American culture, citing shows like Saved by the Bell as barriers to excellence.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a senior adviser in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, sparked a heated debate on X (formerly Twitter) with his remarks on American culture and its impact on the workforce. According to Hot 97-5, Ramaswamy argued that mainstream culture prioritizes mediocrity over excellence, which he believes drives top tech companies to hire foreign-born engineers. His critique drew parallels to iconic ’90s TV shows like Saved by the Bell and Boy Meets World, claiming they idolized popular kids over intellectual achievers.

“A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ... will not produce the best engineers,” Ramaswamy stated in his viral tweet. He suggested that America’s cultural shortcomings, which he says begin in childhood, hinder the development of highly skilled professionals. He also refuted claims that this hiring trend is due to an “American IQ deficit,” instead pointing to systemic cultural issues.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, echoed Ramaswamy’s perspective, tweeting, “The number of people who are super talented engineers AND super motivated in the USA is far too low.” Musk compared recruiting top talent globally to assembling a winning sports team, emphasizing the need to prioritize excellence over proximity.

Critics of Ramaswamy’s stance argued that pop culture alone should not shoulder the blame for workforce challenges. Others praised his call for a shift in values, suggesting that celebrating intellectual achievement alongside entertainment and sports icons could foster a stronger, more innovative workforce.

Ramaswamy’s comments reignited interest in shows like Saved by the Bell, sparking discussions about their cultural impact.