ICYMI: Vivek Ramaswamy Used Nearly $12k in Campaign Funds to Play Pickleball with the Paul Brothers at Luxury Resort
March 23, 2026
Columbus, Ohio- While working families across Ohio are struggling to make ends meet, new reporting revealed billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy spent nearly $12,000 in campaign funds to stay at a luxury resort in Puerto Rico to speak at a conference on outsourcing jobs. When his speech was canceled, Ramaswamy stuck around anyway to play pickleball with the Paul brothers.
"Vivek Ramaswamy's donor-funded luxury vacation to Puerto Rico while working families are struggling is unsurprising from a billionaire who calls Ohioans lazy, moved his business to Texas, and thinks the "perceived" rising cost of living is only in our imagination," said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. "Ramaswamy is clearly more interested in fun in the sun with the Paul brothers than bringing costs down for working families."
READ: Vivek Ramaswamy Used Campaign Funds to Finance Luxury Puerto Rico Trip
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Campaign finance records show that in November 2025, Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign spent $11,898.25 on travel at the Dorado Beach Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Dorado, Puerto Rico. This was pulled from Ramaswamy's filings:
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The resort is described as one of Puerto Rico's most exclusive luxury destinations, offering high-end accommodations, private dining experiences, and extensive amenities including a golf course and sports facilities. A one-bedroom suite at the resort can cost as much as $5,820 per night.
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In December 2025, Ramaswamy was scheduled to serve as the keynote speaker at the ITServe Alliance's Synergy annual conference in Puerto Rico. ITServe Alliance is an organization that has advocated for changes to H1B visa policies, including increasing the annual cap on visas and reducing certain restrictions. The group has lobbied Congress on immigration-related issues and has been involved in legal challenges concerning visa requirements.
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According to reports, Ramaswamy withdrew from the conference shortly before it took place following criticism related to the organization's positions on immigration and H1B visas. The backlash emerged online after his planned appearance became public.
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During the same period, Ramaswamy shared a social media post showing himself playing pickleball at the Dorado Beach resort with Logan Paul and Jake Paul. The resort includes a sports hub with pickleball courts available to guests.
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The sequence of campaign spending, the planned conference appearance, the subsequent withdrawal, and the recreational activities during the trip have drawn attention to the use of campaign funds and the context surrounding the visit to Puerto Rico.
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