GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy stirred controversy at the Iowa State Fair by calling the US "climate change agenda" a hoax. In a fireside chat with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Ramaswamy criticized environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) business policies, claiming they are a threat to liberty. He argued that these policies use money from retirement funds and investment accounts to push social and environmental agendas, without the knowledge or approval of Congress. Ramaswamy also compared ESG to "back-room deals" in Old World Europe and called for more public debate on the topic.

Conservatives have rallied against ESG, accusing corporations of overreaching into politics. ESG policies aim to promote diverse hiring, reduce carbon emissions, and make investments with climate considerations in mind. However, Ramaswamy dismissed most of the climate change agenda as a hoax and called for open debate in a constitutional republic.

Ramaswamy's campaign has gained momentum, rising to third place in national polling averages among GOP candidates. He has made reaching out to young voters a priority and even performed a verse of Eminem's "Lose Yourself" at the Iowa State Fair.