Vivek's Background and Decision to Run for President:

  • Graduated from Harvard
  • Started career as a biotech investor, then founded a successful biotech company called Royven
  • Experienced demands to make statements on behalf of Black Lives Matter and faced backlash for expressing his views on stakeholder capitalism
  • Made the decision to step down from his company and speak freely

Views on Companies Being Politically Active:

  • Believes companies should focus on their core mission without taking on unrelated social missions
  • Supports the idea that companies can help fill the void of purpose and meaning in people's lives by having a worthy mission

Immigration Policy:

  • Favors merit-based immigration system with criteria based on skills that match job openings in the US
  • Also believes in requiring civic commitments to the country as part of the immigration process

Foreign Policy: Ukraine-Russia Conflict:

  • Proposes freezing current lines of control between Ukraine and Russia as part of an armistice agreement
  • Would require Russia to exit its military partnership with China in return for this agreement

Foreign Policy: Taiwan-China Relations:

  • Would defend Taiwan until the US achieves semiconductor independence due to strategic importance of semiconductors

American Exceptionalism and Populism:

  • Believes America is exceptional when it sets an example through living by its own ideals and values
  • Acknowledges legitimate grievances within populism but emphasizes the need for recognition of truth and moving forward together as one nation

Department of Education Abolishment:

  • Advocates for shutting down the Department of Education, returning funds to states, promoting school choice, transparency, and accountability

Abortion Rights:

  • Personally pro-life but supports leaving abortion legislation up to individual states rather than federal government intervention

National Security vs. Personal Privacy:

  • Skeptical of national security establishment, advocates for free speech, open debate, transparency, and protection of civil liberties
  • Opposes unnecessary military involvement and emphasizes the need for a clear purpose in national security decisions

COVID-19 Vaccination and Anthony Fauci:

  • Personally vaccinated against COVID-19 but believes individuals should have the freedom to make their own choices regarding vaccination
  • Criticizes Anthony Fauci for substituting authority for scientific method, emphasizes the importance of free speech and open debate in science

Republican Party Division on Ukraine:

  • Acknowledges division within the Republican Party regarding prioritization of Ukraine over domestic issues
  • Believes that base voters prioritize domestic concerns while party establishment focuses on international affairs
  • Advocates for aligning policies with voter priorities and addressing the divide between party elites and grassroots supporters