Headline Roundup • January 21st, 2025
Vivek Ramaswamy Exits DOGE, Plans Run for OH Governor
Summary from the AllSides News Team
President Trump selected CEO and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to co-lead the new Department of Government Efficiency with Elon Musk, but Ramaswamy announced his departure on Monday. He reportedly has plans to run for Ohio governor in 2026.
The Details: CBS News (Lean Left bias) reported friction between the DOGE staff and Ramaswamy, saying that an anonymous source said “Vivek has worn out his welcome,” and has been subtly encouraged to exit. Ramaswamy met with Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) regarding the vacant Senate seat left by Vice President J.D. Vance but was passed over as DeWine appointed his Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. The appointment may have accelerated Ramaswamy's plans for a gubernatorial run. Politico (Lean Left) reported “Some in Trump’s world see Ramaswamy’s nascent gubernatorial campaign as a way to clear a path for Musk to do his own work at the agency without him,” citing a source that said, “Elon basically runs the show.”
For Context: "The breakdown of labor between Musk and Ramaswamy, according to one person familiar, was that Musk focused on the big picture while Ramaswamy focused on deregulation; the rest of the staff will focus on implementation," Politico added.
How The Media Covered It: Some outlets reported on the tension within DOGE, while others only noted Ramaswamy's intent to run for governor. The Daily Mail (Right) and The New Republic (Left) led their pieces with the complaints about Ramaswamy. CBS News, Politico, and Democracy Now! (Left) included them after mentioning Ramaswamy's intent to run for governor. One America News Network (Right), the Washington Times (Lean Right), and the Wall Street Journal (Center) did not report on the tension.
Featured Coverage of this Story
Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool
Vivek Ramaswamy said it was an honor to help with the Department of Government Efficiency as he announced he is leaving the endeavor to launch an expected bid for Ohio governor.
“It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. I’m confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government,” Mr. Ramaswamy wrote Monday on X. “I’ll have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, we’re all-in to help President Trump make America great again”
Mr. Trump created DOGE to identify wasteful government spending and places to make cuts...
The new Trump administration is confirming that Vivek Ramaswamy won’t stay with the Department of Government Efficiency at the start of President Trump’s second term, noting that he “intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE.”
Ramaswamy is expected to soon announce a campaign for Ohio governor in 2026 to succeed Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who is ending his second term. The former Republican presidential candidate was initially picked by Trump to co-chair the government reform effort along with Tesla and SpaceX chief executive Elon...
Politico
Vivek Ramaswamy could withdraw from working with the Department of Government Efficiency ahead of his bid for Ohio governor, which he intends to formally announce by the last week in January, according to a person close to the matter. Ramaswamy’s potential exit could upend DOGE, which aims to reduce government spending by up to $2 trillion by July 4, 2026 — by which time his Ohio gubernatorial campaign will need to be well underway. Following the election, Ramaswamy informed members of the transition that he planned to run for governor,...
...AllSides Picks
Headline Roundup
British Teen's Death Sparks Protests, Split Media Narratives on Race and Policing
June 4th, 2026
.webp)
Headline Roundup
Trump Names Bill Pulte Acting Intel Director, Media & GOP React in Mixed Fashion
June 3rd, 2026
