A Republican candidate running for the position of Florida governor is under intense scrutiny and widespread condemnation after a video clip went viral. In the video, the candidate, James Fishback, appears to make racially charged jokes targeting the Indian-American heritage of former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
Video Reveals Racially Coded Remarks
The controversial incident took place during a recent public event where James Fishback, a 30-year-old hedge fund CEO and first-time political candidate, was addressing supporters. A clip from the event, which quickly spread across social media platforms, shows Fishback delivering remarks that have been widely denounced as openly racist.
In the video, Fishback begins by saying, "there is a fork in the road...I told that to Vivek and he said, ‘what’s a fork?’" The audience immediately responds with laughter and cheers, with Fishback visibly enjoying the reaction. He then continues, "It’s weird we are all wearing shoes, it’s weird. We do that in our country. We wear shoes. It would be weird if I showed up not wearing shoes, right?" The clip concludes with applause from the crowd.
Online critics were swift to point out that the jokes were a clear and derogatory reference to Ramaswamy's Indian background, playing on offensive stereotypes. One social media user commented on the candidate's authenticity, noting, "This guy is so fake. He used to support Vivek when he was trying to make a name for himself." Another questioned the seriousness of his campaign, asking, "He’s running for mayor or standup comedian?"
A History of Rivalry and Anti-Immigration Stance
The tension between Fishback and Ramaswamy is not a new development. Fishback has consistently positioned himself against immigration, particularly taking aim at the H-1B visa program for skilled foreign workers. This policy stance has become a central pillar of his campaign for Florida governor.
Fishback's hostility was notably displayed after Ramaswamy posted online about American exceptionalism, stating: "There’s no ‘Canadian Dream.’ There’s no ‘British Dream.’ There’s no ‘Chinese Dream.’ It’s called the American Dream for a reason." In response, Fishback argued, "there is no American Dream when H-1B visa holders are stealing jobs from Americans." He has explicitly declared, "I’m running for Florida governor to end the H-1B scam so our workers can get great-paying jobs again."
The relationship between the two adds a layer of complexity to the feud. Fishback previously served as an adviser on a government efficiency commission during the Trump administration, which was co-chaired by Ramaswamy and Elon Musk. He was once even described as a confidant of Ramaswamy, making his recent attacks particularly pointed.
Disney Ban and Escalating Controversies
This is not the first major controversy for Fishback's campaign in recent months. In late December 2025, he attempted to host an unsanctioned political meet-and-greet at a Walt Disney World Resort. The event, which drew over 150 supporters, was shut down by Disney security due to the company's strict policy against unauthorized political activities on its private property.
Fishback was escorted off the premises and subsequently issued a formal lifetime trespass warning, permanently banning him from all Disney-owned properties. In early January 2026, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to accuse Disney of political censorship. In a viral post, he wrote, "Disney is no longer just a theme park; it is a political machine... They are terrified of leaders who will stop them from manipulating the youth with their ‘woke’ social engineering."
The candidate, who campaigns on a platform of "aggressive affordability" and anti-H-1B policies, reportedly attracted more than 150 supporters to the event where the remarks about Ramaswamy were made. The fallout from the viral video continues to grow, raising serious questions about the tone and direction of his campaign for Florida's highest office.
