President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to co-head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with Tesla CEO Elon Musk may have other plans. According to multiple reports, Vivek Ramaswamy is planning to step away from the task force to run for Ohio governor.
What’s happening?
CBS News reported Sunday, Jan. 19, that Ramaswamy might announce his run for Ohio governor as soon as the month’s end.
So far, Ramaswamy has not confirmed the reports.
Why does it matter?
The reports come as Musk reportedly expressed frustration with Ramaswamy over his lack of participation in brainstorming DOGE policy. DOGE is an unofficial government advisory board designed to eliminate government spending deemed wasteful.
One person close to the Trump team, who chose to remain anonymous, told CBS News: “Vivek has worn out his welcome.”
What happens now?
Ramaswamy’s potential departure from DOGE could jeopardize the task force, which aims to cut government spending by up to $2 trillion by July 2026.
Neither Musk nor Trump’s transition team officially commented on the reports of Ramaswamy’s potential exit.
What happened before this?
Ramaswamy recently met with Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who is term-limited, over the state’s U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Vice President-elect JD Vance.
However, DeWine has since said he is appointing his Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to fill the seat.
Who is Ramaswamy?
Ramaswamy ran for president during the 2024 campaign as a candidate with no previous political experience. Before he exited the race, he endorsed Trump.
He is the co-founder of a biotechnology company and attended Yale Law School with Vance.
