Vivek Ramaswamy Pushes for Major Changes at BuzzFeed After Acquiring 8.37% Stake, Suggests Hiring Tucker Carlson

May 28, 2024, 03:29 PM

Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate, has acquired an 8.37% stake in BuzzFeed and is pushing for significant changes at the digital media company. In a letter to BuzzFeed's board, Ramaswamy called for the addition of three new board members, large-scale job cuts, and a shift towards more conservative voices. He specifically suggested hiring right-wing commentators such as Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Aaron Rodgers. Ramaswamy criticized BuzzFeed for losing its direction and emphasized the need for a cultural shift within the company. BuzzFeed's market value has dramatically declined from $1.5 billion to under $100 million, prompting Ramaswamy's intervention. BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti responded to Ramaswamy's letter, indicating fundamental disagreements about the company's business drivers.