Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswami is done with President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) efforts, a spokesperson confirmed Monday.
The confirmation came hours after a source close to the billionaire biotech entrepreneur told Fox News Digital that Ramaswamy is no longer with DOGE.
Ramaswamy, who was selected by President Trump to lead DOGE in November along with the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, is expected to begin campaigning for the Republican Party in the Ohio gubernatorial race early next week.
“Vivek Ramaswamy played an important role in establishing DOGE,” DOGE spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement. “He intends to stand for election soon, but to do so he will need to remain outside of DOGE under the structure we announced today. We greatly appreciate his contribution over the past two months. , he made America great again.”
Musk and Ramaswamy ignite MAGA war over skilled labor immigration
Vivek Ramaswamy and Kristi Noem applaud during the inauguration of US President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, U.S. on January 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters, Pool)
Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is term limited and cannot seek re-election in 2026.
DeWine announced Friday that Lt. Gov. Jon Husted will take the Senate seat held by former Sen. J.D. Vance until earlier this month, when the vice president resigned ahead of Monday’s inauguration.
Before the Senate announcement, Mr. Husted had planned to run for governor in 2026 to replace Mr. DeWine. Mr. Ramaswamy had expressed interest in becoming a senator.
Mr. DeWine’s decision to select Mr. Husted to fill the vacant Senate seat appeared to accelerate Mr. Ramaswamy’s move toward a gubernatorial run.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appoints Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (right) to the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Vice President J.D. Vance during a press conference Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. announced the appointment. (AP Photo/Julie Carr Smith)
The 39-year-old Ramaswamy, who started his presidential campaign in February 2023, has emerged as the likely candidate for the Republican Party’s nomination after hitting the jackpot, and his stock price has soared.
Click here for the latest FOX News coverage on Vivek Ramaswamy.
Ramaswamy campaigned on what he called “America First 2.0” and was one of Trump’s biggest supporters in the rival field, calling him “the most successful president of this century.” is.
Vivek Ramaswamy supports former President Trump during a campaign event in Atkinson, New Hampshire on January 16, 2024. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
He withdrew his bid for the White House a year ago after falling well short of fourth place in the Iowa caucuses, but quickly endorsed Trump and became the campaign’s top surrogate candidate.
Mr. Ramaswamy’s resignation appears to clear the way for Mr. Musk, President Trump’s biggest donor and key ally, to take the helm of DOGE away from the spotlight.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are leading efforts to reduce government inefficiencies. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The move comes weeks after Ramswamy and Musk sparked a firestorm among President Trump’s die-hard MAGA supporters over their support for H-1B temporary worker visas for highly skilled workers from abroad. was also held.
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Ramaswamy criticized American culture, saying, “Mediocrity is respected more than excellence,” and received much backlash from leading figures on the far right.
Once a battleground state in general elections, Ohio has turned red over the past decade as Republicans have gained ground in statewide elections.
