Ramaswamy was booted from DOGE by Musk, but he was not successful in his efforts to do so

The New York Times

Elon Musk has already achieved his first cut at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency: his co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy.
A person close to DOGE said Musk did not think it was feasible for him to campaign for office while working on DOGE.
But a person familiar with the arrangement said he had done almost no DOGE-related work since early December.
As recently as last week, Ramaswamy was hoping to achieve some early wins at DOGE before leaving to pursue a gubernatorial bid.
That same day, a person close to Ramaswamy who was granted anonymity to speak freely confirmed Ramaswamy was leaving.

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At the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk has already made his first cut: Vivek Ramaswamy, his co-leader.

Three people with knowledge of Musk’s preferences, who were given anonymity for the purposes of this article, claim that in recent days, the tech tycoon and Donald Trump confidant made it clear that he wanted Ramaswamy out of DOGE. It appears that Ramaswamy’s death was accelerated by his poorly received holiday tirade against X regarding H-1B visas.

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Ramaswamy is quitting DOGE and intends to declare a bid for Ohio governor the following week, just 69 days after Trump revealed the team. Musk’s influence in the incoming administration is demonstrated by his ability to oust Ramaswamy, who had irritated some Republicans in Trump’s inner circle for a variety of reasons. The infighting that characterized Trump’s first term is also foreshadowed.

According to a Republican strategist close to Trump advisers, Ramaswamy “just burned through the bridges and he finally burned Elon.”. Everyone wants him out of D and out of Mar-a-Lago. C. “”.

Some Republicans were irritated with Ramaswamy primarily because of a post he made on X during a debate about H-1B visas. According to Ramaswamy’s critique of American culture in late December, tech companies employ foreign workers in part due to the nation’s mentality, which has “venerated mediocrity over excellence.”. “”.

Of the three people who knew about his departure, one said, “They wanted him out before the tweet — but kicked him to the curb when that came out.”.

A DOGE insider claimed that Musk did not believe it was possible for him to run for office while working on DOGE.

Trump transition spokesperson Anna Kelly commended Ramaswamy in a statement, stating that he “played a critical role in helping us create DOGE” and that his intention to run for governor “requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure that we announced today.”. “”.

Six people who had spoken with Ramaswamy said that he was still actively involved in DOGE and was writing executive orders when he spoke to confidants on Saturday evening. However, according to someone familiar with the arrangement, he hasn’t done much work for DOGE since early December.

Ramaswamy had hoped to secure some early victories at DOGE as recently as last week before departing to run for governor.

Now, just as Trump takes office, Ramaswamy and his supporters are working hard to make his departure seem like a good thing.

Regarding alleged conflicts with Musk, Ramaswamy chose not to comment.

According to someone who knows Ramaswamy’s thinking, they are now on good terms and that running for governor and co-leading DOGE “at the same time” was not feasible. “”.

Hill Republicans have joined the criticism of Ramaswamy. According to someone familiar with the meme, junior employees in House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office secretly shared a cheeky meme that showed Musk wiping Ramaswamy out of history. Ramaswamy was portrayed as the head of the Soviet secret police, who was later killed and taken out of pictures, and Musk as Josef Stalin.

Johnson’s office spokesperson refuted the report.

The Ohio governor just passed Ramaswamy last week. Following Ramaswamy’s late-night lobbying campaign for the Senate seat, Mike DeWine was his choice for Ohio.

Trump discussed DOGE during a rally on Sunday, but he made no mention of impending changes. “We have [Musk] and Vivek and some amazing people working on a thing called costs,” he stated. “.”.

Ramaswamy met with Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, at the inauguration.

Ramaswamy shared an image of himself with Musk’s trembling hands on social media on Monday morning.

He penned, “A new dawn.”.

He was already leaving, though. On the same day, Ramaswamy’s departure was confirmed by a close friend who was given the freedom to speak anonymously.

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