Vivek Ramaswamy Joins Elon Musk in Trump’s New Government Efficiency Initiative
Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur from Ohio who once competed for the Republican presidential nomination against Donald Trump, is now taking on a major role in Trump’s administration. On Tuesday, Trump appointed Ramaswamy to co-lead a new initiative called the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), alongside fellow billionaire Elon Musk. This new entity, named after the cryptocurrency DOGE, will not be a formal government agency but will serve as an external group tasked with reviewing federal agencies. The goal of DOGE is to streamline government operations by slashing regulations, eliminating wasteful spending, and restructuring agencies.
Ramaswamy, who was born in Cincinnati and is currently a resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio, brings a diverse background to this new position. At just 39 years old, he previously founded a biotechnology company, served as a hedge fund partner, and authored books like Woke, Inc. and Nation of Victims. Forbes estimated his net worth at around $1 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals to run for president in the Republican primary. Although his presidential bid was ultimately unsuccessful, he gained attention for his critiques of left-wing ideology and his promises to dismantle affirmative action.
Ramaswamy’s political campaign mirrored many of Trump’s outsider themes, and he called for the firing of 75% of the federal workforce. In November 2023, Ramaswamy expressed his commitment to “revolution,” claiming that he would lead in a way that no establishment politician could.
Although Ramaswamy did not directly challenge Trump in debates, by January 2024, he suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump. Trump has described Ramaswamy and Musk’s roles in DOGE as “the Manhattan Project of our time,” with a goal of completing their work by July 4, 2026. The pair will oversee the effort to reform government from the outside, with no formal government employment, allowing them to avoid asset disclosure requirements.
Ramaswamy’s new position marks a major shift in his political career, as he moves from presidential hopeful to a key player in shaping the future of U.S. government operations.
