A new controversy has erupted in the race for Ohio's next governor, with a Republican candidate launching a sharp attack on party frontrunner Vivek Ramaswamy. Casey Putsch, a YouTuber turned political hopeful, has publicly accused Ramaswamy of improperly accepting scholarship money intended for financially disadvantaged students.
The Core Allegation: 'Scholarship for the Poor' Taken While Earning Big
In a post on the social media platform X, Casey Putsch made a direct and damaging claim. He stated that Vivek Ramaswamy "took $50k in college scholarship money for poor kids while he was making $750,000/year." Putsch did not mince words, concluding his post with, "Sounds like fraud to me." This accusation has quickly gained traction, refocusing attention on a past interview that is now going viral again.
The scholarship in question is the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, a merit-based award that can provide up to $90,000. It is funded by Paul Soros, the brother of billionaire George Soros, and is specifically designed for immigrants or children of immigrants. The issue resurfaced from a 2023 interview on The Mehdi Hasan Show, where host Mehdi Hasan confronted Ramaswamy, then a GOP presidential candidate, about accepting the fellowship.
Resurfaced Interview and Ramaswamy's Defense
During the now-viral interview segment, Hasan presented tax records showing that Ramaswamy had a significant income during the period he received the fellowship. The records revealed earnings of $645,000 in 2009, $486,000 in 2010, and over $2 million in 2011. Hasan pressed the candidate, saying, "You accepted a Soros scholarship for $50,000 when you didn't need it."
Vivek Ramaswamy defended his decision, characterizing the fellowship as a merit-based award and calling it "free money." However, the criticism extended beyond just the financial need. Hasan and others have questioned the consistency of Ramaswamy accepting an identity-based award (for immigrants/children of immigrants) while later speaking out against affirmative action and similar identity-based aid programs.
Putsch's Campaign and the Ohio Political Landscape
Casey Putsch has formally entered the 2026 Ohio governor's race, positioning himself as a direct challenger to Vivek Ramaswamy. This is a significant move, given that Ramaswamy has already secured a coveted endorsement from former US President Donald Trump. Putsch is aligning himself with the MAGA platform but is facing cautious scrutiny from some conservative circles.
He has framed his campaign around specific issues he believes are critical for Ohio. Putsch has identified H-1B visas and AI data centers as key battlegrounds. He argues that H-1B visas harm job prospects for young, native-born Americans while primarily benefiting large corporations. This focus on economic nationalism and domestic job protection is a central theme of his challenge to Ramaswamy.
The public accusation over the scholarship marks a clear escalation in the Republican primary, setting the stage for a contentious battle that mixes personal ethics with policy differences. As the 2026 race begins to take shape, this controversy ensures that the candidates' backgrounds and consistency will be under intense scrutiny.
