Vivek Ramaswamy spent much of 2025 lavishly praising what he called the “data center boom.”
In fact, between March 27 and April 26, he described the growth of the facilities as a good or great thing at least ten times in recorded appearances and social media posts. Check the tape here.
Then, on August 6, he flip-flopped. He didn’t bother to explain why he reversed his position; he simply denied he had and now claims he was “never” pro-data center expansion. His own statements prove he’s lying.
Why did he switch? The evidence shows it was money and politics that motivated him to release a “plan” that analysts, energy experts, and policy groups have called a nonsensical, silly, politically motivated gimmick.
Follow the Money Right into Vivek's Pocket
EVIDENCE 001-B
It’s easy to understand why Vivek is lying about his position on data centers and why he was such an ardent supporter of the facilities before he supposedly wasn’t: MONEY.
An in-depth report issued by Innovation Ohio sums it up this way:
Every time a data center is built in Ohio, Ramaswamy's chip stocks go up. Every time an AI company expands its Ohio footprint, his real estate and infrastructure holdings benefit. Every time the state approves a tax incentive for a facility, the companies in his portfolio are the ones who benefit.
Our research validates Innovation Ohio’s work. Let’s take a look at the numbers.
According to Ramaswamy’s 2025 Ohio financial disclosure statement, he is heavily invested in companies that build or operate data centers as well as firms involved in their development and financing.
The examination of Vivek’s data-center-related holdings also shines a bright light on why his sham plan does not include eliminating the sales tax break that cost Ohio $2.2 billion in lost revenue in 2025 alone. He owns stock in two companies, Amazon and Microsoft, that have received tax exemptions worth more than $670 million:
AMAZON WEB SERVICES
A 100% equipment exemption
Amazon Web Services received a 100% exemption on qualifying data-center equipment under a statewide agreement effective in 2014. The original agreement was for 15 years but could extend to 40 years if Amazon met investment targets. Ohio currently estimates the exemption’s value at least $600 million, and Amazon may remain eligible through 2055.
MICROSOFT
A 15-year, 100% exemption
Microsoft received a 15-year, 100% exemption in October 2024 for proposed data centers in New Albany, Heath and Hebron. Ohio initially estimated the benefit at approximately $72.5 million to $73 million in exchange for a $1 billion investment and at least 20 jobs.
Given Ramaswamy’s substantial investment in data centers, it’s difficult to dispute the conclusion Innovation Ohio reached in its report:
“Ohio needs a governor who can weigh policy tradeoffs with Ohioans' interests in mind. We cannot trust the policies of a candidate who stands to profit from every data center built.”
A Politically Motivated Flip Flop
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In addition to enriching himself, Ramaswamy admitted his data center flip flop was motivated by politics. In an interview with conservative activist Stephanie Stock he said:
“…this is politics and I think our opponents have had some success in trying to paint me that [pro data center] way.”— Vivek Ramaswamy
And being tagged as the pro-data center candidate in a state where 78% of residents favor banning the facilities could be fatal to Ramaswamy’s campaign.
