A Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate is facing backlash after a video surfaced appearing to mock
Vivek Ramaswamy’s Indian origin, drawing cheers from a crowd as he delivered what critics are calling a racially coded attack.
The remarks were made by James Fishback, a 30-year-old hedge fund CEO and first-time Republican candidate for Florida governor, during a recent public event. In the clip circulating online, Fishback appears to ridicule Ramaswamy through a series of remarks that many have described as openly racist.
The video begins with Fishback saying: “there is a fork in the road...I told that to Vivek and he said, ‘what’s a fork?’”
The crowd immediately reacted with laughter and cheers, with Fishback visibly pleased as the joke landed.
He then continued: “It’s weird we are all wearing shoes, it’s weird. We do that in oir country. We wear shoes. It would be weird if I showed uo not wearing shoes, right?”
The clip ends shortly after, with applause from those in attendance.
The exchange has fueled criticism online, with many pointing out that Ramaswamy’s Indian heritage appears to be the clear target of the remarks. One user pointed out, "This guy is so fake. He used to support Vivek when he was trying to make a name for himself."
Another said, "He’s running for mayor or standup comedian?"
The rivalry between Fishback and Ramaswamy is not new, nor is Fishback’s hostility toward immigrants.
Fishback has repeatedly positioned himself against immigration programs, particularly the H-1B visa system. He has previously stated that “there is no American Dream when H-1B visa holders are stealing jobs from Americans,” a comment he made after Ramaswamy posted about American exceptionalism, writing: “There’s no ‘Canadian Dream.’ There’s no ‘British Dream.’ There’s no ‘Chinese Dream.’ It’s called the American Dream for a reason. It’s what makes American exceptionalism possible.”
Fishback has made opposition to the H-1B visa program a centerpiece of his campaign, declaring: “I’m running for Florida governor to end the H-1B scam so our workers can get great-paying jobs again.”
Fishback, who is campaigning on a platform of “aggressive affordability” and “anti-H-1B” policies, reportedly drew more than 150 supporters to the event where the remarks were made.
The situation is made more complex by Fishback’s past political ties. He previously served as an adviser to President Donald Trump’s government efficiency advisory commission, which Ramaswamy was co-chairing with Elon Musk. Fishback was also once described as a confidant of Ramaswamy.
More recently, Fishback has found himself at the center of another major controversy, this time involving Walt Disney World.
In late December 2025, Fishback attempted to host an unsanctioned political “meet-and-greet” at a Walt Disney World Resort. According to reports, more than 150 supporters gathered for the event. Disney security intervened, citing the company’s strict ban on unauthorized political activity on its private property.
Fishback was escorted off the premises and later issued a formal lifetime trespass warning, barring him from all Disney-owned properties.
The fallout escalated in early January 2026, when Fishback took to X (formerly Twitter), accusing Disney of political censorship and ideological manipulation.
“Disney is no longer just a theme park; it is a political machine,” Fishback wrote in a viral post. “By banning a candidate for Governor from speaking to citizens, they are showing their true colors. They are terrified of leaders who will stop them from manipulating the youth with their ‘woke’ social engineering.”