Reports are swirling that Vivek Ramaswamy, who had been chosen to lead President-elect Donald Trump‘s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with Elon Musk, is expected to step away from the department.
Newsweek reached out to Ramaswamy via email on Monday outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
The news that Ramaswamy might be stepping away comes ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Monday. While it is not clear if or why Ramaswamy is leaving, the reports hint at rifts and tumult already beginning in Trump’s new administration.
What To Know
In November, Trump announced that Ramaswamy, a 2024 GOP presidential contender, and billionaire Musk, one of the president-elect’s most prominent supporters, would jointly lead the new department, which aims to increase government efficiency and reduce spending.
However, CBS News and Politico have reported that Ramaswamy is due to step down after tensions had grown within the new department, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Musk allies had grown frustrated with Ramaswamy for not participating in the heavy lifting, and as a result had been privately undercutting him for weeks, sources told CBS.
Ramaswamy has also had friction with incoming DOGE staff, the sources said. As a result, he has reportedly been encouraged to quietly exit.
“Vivek has worn out his welcome,” one person close to Trump said, per CBS.
The Politico report echoed this sentiment, with an unnamed informal adviser to Trump telling the outlet: “Elon basically runs the show.”
Ramaswamy is now reportedly planning to announce a bid for Ohio governor by the end of January, the outlets reported.
His decision to pursue the governorship came after he reportedly met with Ohio’s sitting governor, Mike DeWine, about his interest in the Senate seat left vacant by Vice President-elect JD Vance.
However, DeWine chose his lieutenant governor for the post instead.
Neither Trump, Ramaswamy or Musk have yet publicly commented on the reports about DOGE’s potential shake-up.
What People Are Saying
An X, formerly Twitter, user referenced Ramaswamy’s anti-DEI beliefs while sharing a GIF of Kamala Harris laughing and writing: “DEI hire Vivek Ramaswamy got fired.”
Aaron Rupar, a political commentator on X, compared Ramaswamy’s brief tenure to Trump’s former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci’s: “Vivek’s involvement with DOGE lasted negative Scaramuccis.”
Scaramucci responded on X: “Since DOGE doesn’t exist and isn’t formally part of the government it would be unfair to measure his tenure in Scaramucci. Good luck Vivek!!”
What Happens Next
If the reports turn out to be correct, Ramaswamy will likely soon announce that he is stepping down from DOGE and plans to run for Ohio governor. Musk, who has already been taking a leading role in running DOGE, will continue to do so.
The post Is Vivek Ramaswamy Leaving DOGE? What We Know appeared first on Newsweek.
