I think Ramaswamy is saying the adult Americans today that he and Musk do not want to hire grew up in the 'mediocrity' of 1990s America.Apparently he doesn't even know that malls are for all intents and purposes, dead.
When was the last time a group of teenagers went to hang out in a mall?
2007 - 08?
This alleged American mediocrity is why he and Musk prefer to hire foreigners.