Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has stepped down from co-leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, following US President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Ramaswamy, who plans to announce a run for Ohio Governor, expressed his support for DOGE’s mission to streamline government processes.
In a post on X, Ramaswamy said, “It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. I’m confident that Elon & team will succeed. I’ll have more to say about Ohio soon.”
The decision comes amid reported tensions between Musk and Ramaswamy, fueled by a divide over H1-B visa policies. Ramaswamy’s criticism of cultural stagnation in America and his advocacy for skilled foreign workers sparked backlash within Trump’s MAGA base. Musk recently emphasized the importance of attracting top engineering talent to maintain America’s edge in technology.
While Trump’s transition spokesperson praised Ramaswamy’s contributions to DOGE, insiders noted that his gubernatorial ambitions made dual roles impractical. A Republican strategist commented, “He burned bridges and finally burned Elon.”
Despite these tensions, sources indicate Musk and Ramaswamy remain on good terms. Trump, meanwhile, highlighted DOGE’s cost-saving initiatives at a recent rally without mentioning leadership changes.
Ramaswamy’s departure signals both political ambitions and deeper divisions within the MAGA team over immigration and talent acquisition policies.
