Vivek Ramaswamy Steps Back From DOGE Leadership With Elon Musk, Eyes Ohio Governor Run

Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has announced his departure as co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the advisory organization he helped create alongside Elon Musk.

Reports suggest Ramaswamy is preparing to run for governor of Ohio, a move that aligns with speculation following his recent social media activity.

“It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE,” Ramaswamy posted on X on 20 January 2025. “I’m confident that Elon and the team will succeed in streamlining government.”

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Ramaswamy To Announce His Campaign Soon: Reports

While Ramaswamy did not confirm his gubernatorial aspirations, CBS News and The New York Times reported that he is expected to announce his campaign soon.

DOGE, officially created through one of President Donald Trump’s executive orders, is tasked with cutting federal spending and improving efficiency through budget reductions and workforce restructuring.

Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for DOGE, confirmed Ramaswamy’s departure, stating, “He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure we announced today.”

Ramaswamy’s potential candidacy would target Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s seat, as DeWine’s second and final term concludes in January 2027.

The speculation gained traction after Ramaswamy re-shared a post from a parody account suggesting his run for Ohio governor, commenting that it wasn’t “a bad idea.”

It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. I’m confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. I’ll have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, we’re all-in to help President Trump make America great again! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/f1YFZm8X13

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 20, 2025

However, sources close to the Trump administration suggest Ramaswamy’s exit from DOGE was partly influenced by Musk’s desire for new leadership.

Politico reported that Ramaswamy’s outspoken views on American culture and criticism of hiring practices had strained relationships, including with Musk.

DOGE, named after Musk’s favored cryptocurrency Dogecoin, has faced significant challenges since its inception.

Minutes after its creation, consumer advocacy group Public Citizen and others filed lawsuits alleging that DOGE violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act by allowing private individuals to influence government decisions without sufficient transparency.

As Musk assumes sole leadership of DOGE, the organization faces scrutiny over its ambitious goals and legal challenges. Meanwhile, Ramaswamy’s departure sets the stage for a potential political comeback, with Ohio’s governorship as his next target.

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SEC Sues Musk Over Twitter Purchase

Last week, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk, accusing him of failing to disclose his acquisition of a significant stake in Twitter, now renamed X, in early 2022.

The SEC claimed Musk’s delayed disclosure enabled him to buy shares at lower prices, saving at least $150 million. Per the filing, Musk allegedly violated securities regulations by not filing a report within 10 days of acquiring more than 5% of Twitter’s stock.

The SEC contends Musk only disclosed his holdings on 4 April 2022, 11 days past the deadline. On the day of his disclosure, Twitter’s stock price surged by over 27%.

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