Elon Musk’s ambitious new government department, the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), is facing a major shake-up. Reports suggest that Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk’s partner in this venture, may soon bow out to focus on his run for Ohio governor.
A source close to the situation told Politico that Ramaswamy is seriously considering backing away from Doge to concentrate on his gubernatorial bid. He’s reportedly planning to announce his candidacy by the end of January 2024.
If Ramaswamy decides to leave, it could spell trouble for Doge, which aims to trim government spending by a staggering $2 trillion by July 4, 2026. With the time and energy required for a political campaign, his departure would likely slow down the department’s progress.
Interestingly, some political insiders believe that Ramaswamy stepping away might actually open the door for Musk to take more control and push forward his own vision. A source told Politico, “Elon basically runs the show. Time is their biggest enemy.”
This situation has heated up after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine decided not to pick Ramaswamy for the Senate seat vacated by JD Vance. Instead, DeWine chose Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted. This left Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate, reconsidering his path.
Ramaswamy attended a recent Doge meeting at SpaceX’s Washington headquarters, though Musk was not there. Now, there’s uncertainty about whether he will move into Doge’s office space next to the White House after Donald Trump takes office.
Trump initially announced Doge during his campaign, promising to overhaul government bureaucracy and cut unnecessary regulations and spending. If Ramaswamy does step away, Musk will likely oversee the bigger picture while Ramaswamy’s team tackles deregulation efforts.
But Doge has already raised eyebrows. There’s little information on how it’s funded or how Musk and Ramaswamy plan to avoid conflicts of interest. Recently, the department has been ramping up its staffing, with nearly 100 people expected to join by Monday, including figures like Steve Davis from the Boring Company and former Uber executive Emil Michael.
Looking ahead, Trump is expected to sign several executive orders in the coming weeks related to Doge’s role in government contracts. Musk, however, has tempered expectations, admitting that while the department aims for $2 trillion in cuts, he realistically hopes for around $1 trillion.
It’s clear that the road ahead for Doge is filled with uncertainty, and Musk’s vision could face some unexpected twists along the way. Stay tuned as the situation unfolds!
