President-elect Donald Trump selects Vivek Ramaswamy to co-lead Ministry of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Entrepreneur Elon Muskis expected to leave the task force soon, CBS News has learned. Multiple sources confirmed to CBS News that Ramaswamy intends to announce his candidacy for Ohio governor as early as the end of January.
Ramaswamy, 39, did not comment.
People close to Musk have been privately undermining Ramaswamy for weeks, frustrated with his lack of involvement in the heavy lifting, according to people familiar with internal dynamics. Sources said there was friction between the incoming DOGE rank and file and Ramaswamy, who was subtly encouraged to quit.
A person close to Trump said, "Vivek is no longer welcome."
Ramaswamy recently met with current Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to discuss the state's Senate seat being vacated by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. But on Friday, Dewan announced He is appointing his lieutenant governor to the position.
Ramaswamy, who is seeking the 2024 Republican nomination, was at the president's Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, Florida, during the transition. Sources say that one day, he was spotted in a bar with Musk, writing DOGE’s plan on a napkin. But sources say the two haven't worked closely together for some time.
Politico first reported that Ramaswamy may leave DOGE.
Ramaswamy has made cultural issues central to his political brand, denouncing what he sees as "woke" policies imposed on business, academic and government institutions. Even as Trump's chief opponent, Ramaswamy was reluctant to offend him and was quick to offer praise.
Despite its name, the Department of Government Effectiveness is not expected to become a full-fledged federal agency. Trump said it would "provide advice and guidance from outside the government" and work with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget.
Trump said the goal is to provide recommendations on streamlining the federal bureaucracy, cutting federal spending and restructuring federal agencies, and ordered DOGE's work to be completed by July 2026.
Ramaswamy attended Yale Law School with Vance before entering politics. As a hedge fund manager, he made millions selling shares of a biotech company he co-founded.