Photo of Vivek Ramaswamy defaced with Nazi references

A photo of Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican presidential candidate, was defaced with Nazi references at the Turning Point Action Conference in West Palm Beach, Florida. 

It has been reported that photos of candidates were displayed at the conference where attendees could write their thoughts onto sticky notes and attach them to the portraits. 

According to a video published by CNN, there was one note on Mr Ramaswamy’s photo that displayed a Star of David accompanied by the text, “soon”; and another that said, “1488”. 

1488 is often used as a coded reference to the neo-Nazi fourteen-word oath, “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children,” a slogan initially devised by David Lane, a member of the white supremacist terrorist group “The Order”, which was responsible for the murder of Jewish radio host Alan Berg. The number 88 refers to the eighth letter of the alphabet, H, and is intended as a code for “Heil Hitler.”

Of the notes, Mr Ramaswamy said: “I can’t speak to that particular instance. I’ll tell you my experience in this country. Have I experienced racism? Yes, I have. But I reject the myth that hardship is the same thing as victimhood.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism throughout the United States.