Vivek Ramaswamy was asked if Elon Musk fired him from President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after Ramaswamy confirmed he was leaving his former role as co-head of the department.
Newsweek has contacted Ramaswamy and Fox News host Jesse Watters, who asked the question, out of hours via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Ramaswamy was meant to head up Trump’s new department with Musk, but he has since stepped down from the role, meaning greater responsibility now falls on Musk.
However, Musk’s involvement in the department has previously been scrutinized over potential conflicts of interest stemming from his SpaceX and Tesla businesses, which benefit from federal contracts.
Anthony Behar L) and Kenny Holston R)/Sipa via AP (L and The New York Times via AP (R
What To Know
In an interview with Fox News on January 27, Ramaswamy responded to Watters’ question of whether Elon Musk had fired him, saying: “No, we had a mutual discussion and I wish him well, we’re on the same page, we’re divide and conquer and saving the country, it’s not a one man show from the top down or the bottom up, it’s all of the above.”
This came after Watters also quizzed Ramaswamy on his relationship with the Tesla CEO, asking, “People are saying you didn’t get along with Musk – what happened there?”
Ramaswamy said: “I think that’s incorrect, but what I would say is we had different and complimentary 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, 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.”
Earlier in the discussion, Ramaswamy also confirmed that he “was pursuing electoral office very soon,” after comments had been circulating online that he was going to run for Ohio senator.
When responding to the circulating comments about his departure from DOGE previously on X on January 20, Ramaswamy also said, “I’ll have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio.”
What People Are Saying
Ramaswamy, wrote on X shortly after Trump’s inauguration: “It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. I’m confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government.”
Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition team, told Spectrum News national political reporter Taylor Popielarz: “Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE.
“He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last two months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again.”
X user @The_1Asher, reacting to a clip of the interview said: “‘It was mutual’ […] Every person who ever got broken up with.”
What’s Next
Ramaswamy is expected to unveil his upcoming political plans early this week, according to a source who spoke with Spectrum News national political reporter Popielarz.