Vivek Ramaswamy, entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, will no longer co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with Elon Musk, and is reportedly pivoting to run for governor of Ohio instead. The announcement came on January 20, 2025, via a post on X (formerly Twitter), where Ramaswamy expressed his confidence in the future of DOGE while confirming his departure from the organization.
“It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE,” Ramaswamy said. “I’m confident that Elon and the team will succeed in streamlining government.” While he refrained from detailing his next steps, media outlets such as CBS News and The New York Times have reported that Ramaswamy is preparing to announce his candidacy for Ohio governor, with the state’s current governor, Mike DeWine, set to finish his second and final term in January 2027.
Ramaswamy’s departure from DOGE is particularly significant given his role in helping establish the organization, which is intended to reduce federal spending and cut down on bureaucracy. A spokesperson for DOGE, Anna Kelly, confirmed the transition, stating, “Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE. He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure that we announced today.”
Ramaswamy had hinted at a political shift earlier in January, when he shared a post from a parody account that joked about him running for Ohio governor. In a typically candid response, Ramaswamy commented that it wasn’t “a bad idea.” His decision to step down from DOGE and pursue a gubernatorial bid marks a significant change in his political trajectory, one that is likely to be a focal point in the coming months.
Ramaswamy’s exit from DOGE appears to have been influenced by mounting tensions between him and Musk. According to reports from Politico, Musk had made it clear in recent days that he wanted Ramaswamy out of the advisory organization. A Republican strategist close to Trump’s inner circle suggested that Ramaswamy’s behavior, which included controversial remarks about American culture and tech hiring practices, alienated both Musk and Trump’s team. “He just burned through the bridges and he finally burned Elon,” the strategist was quoted as saying.
In December 2024, Ramaswamy had sparked controversy with a post on X in which he criticized tech companies for hiring foreign workers, attributing the practice to a “mindset that has venerated mediocrity over excellence.” This comment did not sit well with Musk, who is known for his global business operations and support for diverse talent.
Ramaswamy’s departure comes at a time when DOGE, the new government efficiency organization named after Musk’s favorite cryptocurrency, is already facing significant scrutiny. Shortly after Trump took office, DOGE was hit with lawsuits filed by consumer advocacy group Public Citizen and other nonprofit organizations. The suits argue that DOGE violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which mandates that advisory committees to the executive branch follow rules for transparency, open meetings, and public involvement.
DOGE’s primary mission, announced by Trump following his electoral victory in November 2024, is to slash federal spending through budget cuts and mass firings. However, critics argue that the lack of oversight and accountability in the organization could lead to potential conflicts of interest and undermine public trust.
As DOGE continues to navigate legal challenges and expand its operations under Musk’s leadership, Ramaswamy’s shift to Ohio politics will certainly be a point of interest. If he does announce his candidacy for governor, Ramaswamy will face the challenge of balancing his political ambitions with his pro-business and anti-regulation stance, which has resonated with some voters but drawn criticism from others.
Meanwhile, Musk’s influence over DOGE is expected to grow, as he will now lead the organization without Ramaswamy by his side. Whether DOGE can overcome its legal obstacles and fulfill its goal of reducing government inefficiency remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the organization—and its controversial connection to cryptocurrency—will continue to make waves in U.S. politics.
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