Vivek Ramaswamy says he wasn’t fired from the Department of Government Efficiency (or DOGE), a new federal advisory group he was tapped to co-lead with Elon Musk and that he left on his own volition after “a mutual discussion” with the controversial billionaire.
President Donald Trump announced months ago that Ramaswamy would co-chair the group, only for the Ohio-based biotech entrepreneur — who had also sought the 2024 GOP nomination for president — to exit mere hours after Trump’s inauguration.
When asked Monday by Fox News anchor Jesse Watters if Musk had fired him from DOGE, which purportedly aims to slash unnecessary government spending, Ramaswamy claimed he left to pursue “elected office” soon — and adamantly denied being ousted.
“I think that’s incorrect,” he told Watters. “But what I would say is, we had different and complementary approaches. I focused more on a constitutional law, legislative-based approach. He focused more on a technology approach, which is the future approach.”
“No better person to lead that technology, digital approach than Elon Musk,” Ramaswamy continued. “But when you’re talking about a Constitutional revival, it’s not just done through the federal government — it’s done through Federalism, where states also lead the way.”
Alex Brandon/Associated Press
He said he’d expand on the subject “very shortly,” suggesting he’ll continue to discuss his DOGE exit positively while pursuing office — he has reportedly been eyeing a run for governor in Ohio. Earlier this month, Trump reportedly nudged him to succeed Vice President JD Vance in the U.S. Senate.
With recent reports that Ramaswamy had irked Musk in the lead-up to his departure from DOGE, however, Watters once again asked if he was fired.
“No, we had a mutual discussion,” Ramaswamy replied. “And I think that, I wish him well and we’re on the same page where, divide and conquer — it’s saving the country. It’s not a one-man show from top-down or the bottom-up. It’s all of the above. That’s what I’m in for.”
Ramaswamy first signaled plans to run for elected office the day he exited DOGE, which a spokesperson said at the time “requires him to remain outside of DOGE.”
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Ramaswamy endorsed Trump after suspending his own campaign last year, but drew conservative ire after being tapped for DOGE by arguing tech companies often hire foreign-born engineers because U.S. culture has “venerated mediocrity over excellence.”
“We’ll have an announcement soon,” Ramaswamy told Watters on Monday.
