Ex-Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s abrupt exit from the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after a brief 69-day stint signals a notable power shift in President Donald Trump’s administration. Tech billionaire, Elon Musk, now stands as the exclusive leader of this government cost-reduction initiative.
Recently, Musk, a trusted Trump adviser, made his desire for Ramaswamy’s dismissal clear, as per three sources privy to the matter. A Republican strategist close to Trump’s advisers stated, “Everyone wants him out of Mar-a-Lago, out of D.C.”
Ramaswamy’s contentious social media post in December 2024 criticizing American culture for prioritizing “mediocrity over excellence” while discussing H-1B visas was the final trigger. A source aware of the situation remarked, “They wanted him out before the tweet — but kicked him to the curb when that came out.”
The co-leaders’ conflict originated with distinct visions for DOGE’s future. Musk advocated for a tech-centric approach to modernize federal systems, whereas Ramaswamy championed wider constitutional and regulatory amendments. This ideological disparity led to considerable friction within the organization, as per multiple sources.
DOGE has undergone considerable changes since its inception. Initially conceived as an external advisory committee, it was revamped as an internal entity within the White House, superseding the US Digital Service established during Obama’s tenure. The department, now governed by new ethical and transparency rules, focuses on enhancing government productivity by modernizing federal technology and software as part of the president’s DOGE Agenda.
The power tussle escalated in the past weeks. Despite Ramaswamy’s assertions to six confidants about drafting executive orders as recently as Saturday evening, an insider revealed his involvement in DOGE-related work has been almost nil since early December.
Musk’s rising influence has raised alarm among ethics monitors, given his vast business interests. His companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, could potentially gain from Trump’s policy decisions. Critics have cautioned against a potential “burgeoning oligarchy of tech billionaires” in the administration, urging increased vigilance for potential conflicts of interest.
Ramaswamy’s departure coincides with his political ambitions in Ohio. Despite a vigorous lobbying campaign, he was overlooked by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for a Senate seat appointment. Ramaswamy is expected to announce his gubernatorial bid. If successful, he would be the third Indian-American governor in U.S. history, following Nikki Haley and Bobby Jindal. His exit from DOGE may reduce Indian-American representation in the federal government, but political analysts suggest he could retain significant influence through state leadership.
The political repercussions extended to Capitol Hill, with even Republican colleagues distancing themselves from Ramaswamy. A meme comparing Musk to Josef Stalin and Ramaswamy to an ousted Soviet official made rounds among junior staff in House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office. A spokesperson later refuted this account. During a rally the night before his inauguration, Trump mentioned DOGE without alluding to the imminent leadership change, saying, “We have [Musk] and Vivek and some great people working on a thing called costs.”
An individual close to DOGE attributed campaign incompatibility as the official reason for the separation, stating that Musk doubted Ramaswamy’s ability to campaign for office while working on DOGE. Trump transition spokesperson Anna Kelly attempted to put a positive spin on the departure, stating that Ramaswamy “played a critical role in helping us create DOGE” and that his gubernatorial ambitions “require him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure we announced today.”
The revamp of DOGE reflects the broader difficulties tech executives face in their ambitious plans within the Washington political landscape. The transition of the department from an external advisory board to an internal government entity underscores the intricate reality of applying private sector strategies in federal systems.
On the morning of Monday, January 20, 2025, seemingly to project unity, Ramaswamy posted a photo of himself shaking hands with Musk, captioning it “A new dawn.” He attended Trump’s inauguration the same day, conversing with Trump’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, even as his departure was being finalized.
