Vivek Ramaswamy Denies Fallout With Elon Musk After Stepping Down From DOGE

Vivek Ramaswamy, who recently exited his role at the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has dismissed speculation of a rift with Musk, emphasizing that his departure was a result of “mutual discussions.” Ramaswamy clarified that he and Musk were pursuing "complementary approaches" to achieve the goals of the Trump administration’s ambitious federal reform initiative.

Speaking to Fox News, Ramaswamy addressed rumors that he was fired by Musk. “No. We had a mutual discussion. And I think that I wish him well,” he stated, praising Musk’s leadership in spearheading a technology-driven strategy for government efficiency.

Complementary, Not Conflicting, Strategies

The DOGE initiative, championed by President Donald Trump, aims to streamline government operations, slash excessive regulations, and cut federal spending. While Musk’s focus was on leveraging technology and data mining to modernize governance, Ramaswamy’s approach emphasized constitutional and legislative reforms.

“There’s no better person to lead a technology-driven approach than Elon Musk,” Ramaswamy said. “But when it comes to a constitutional revival, it’s not just about federal government actions—it’s about empowering states to lead the way.”

He described their working relationship as a “divide and conquer” strategy, underscoring their shared commitment to federal reform while dismissing speculation of any discord. “This isn’t a one-man show. We’re on the same page, and I wish him well,” Ramaswamy added.

Future Political Aspirations

During the interview, Ramaswamy hinted at his next political move, suggesting a gubernatorial bid in Ohio. “I’m pursuing elected office very shortly. An announcement is coming soon,” he said.

Ramaswamy, an Indian-American entrepreneur and a prominent voice in conservative politics, previously ran unsuccessfully in the Republican presidential primaries. He later endorsed Donald Trump, aligning himself with the administration’s “Save America” platform and its focus on reducing bureaucracy and restoring merit-based systems.

Critique of Democrats and DEI Policies

In his remarks, Ramaswamy criticized the Democratic Party for what he described as a shift away from economic issues toward “woke” ideologies. He called for a return to meritocracy, taking aim at Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he argued undermine the principle of equal opportunity.

“Meritocracy is about inclusion based on excellence, not exclusion in the name of diversity,” Ramaswamy asserted, adding that his focus on constitutional governance aligns with Trump’s broader efforts to dismantle unnecessary federal programs.

DOGE’s Next Chapter

The Department of Government Efficiency, helmed by Musk, remains central to Trump’s plans to modernize federal operations. Despite Ramaswamy’s departure, he expressed confidence in DOGE’s future under Musk’s leadership.

As Ramaswamy prepares for his next chapter in Ohio politics, his tenure at DOGE reflects the balancing act between technology-driven modernization and legislative reform—a challenge the Trump administration continues to navigate.