Musk Takes Over as Sole Leader of DOGE as Ramaswamy Departs for Ohio Governor Bid

Elon Musk is now the sole leader of the Department of Government Efficiency ( DOGE ) after biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy stepped down to pursue a gubernatorial campaign in Ohio, officials said Monday.

Ramaswamy co-founded Expand with Musk in November 2024 as part of President Donald Trump’s “Save America ” initiative to cut federal waste, lower laws, and rebuild national authorities.  

His exit leaves Musk, a vocal advocate for cost-cutting, at the head of the extra-governmental program.

“Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us make Depends, ” director Anna Kelly said in a speech cited by the . “ He intends to run for elected office rapidly, which requires him to be outside of DOGE, based on the construction that we announced immediately. ”

DOGE’s acronym has drawn widespread attention due to its connection with Dogecoin ( DOGE ), the meme crypto that Musk has championed for years.  

Known as the “Dogefather, ” Musk’s public endorsements of Dogecoin have repeatedly caused price surges, including a recent uptick following his promotion to lead DOGE late last year.

Critics, nevertheless, have expressed skepticism about DOGE’s goals. Initially promising$ 2 trillion in government cuts, Musk recently backtracked, describing the goal as unlikely but maintaining a target of$ 1 trillion.

Adding to the initiative’s speed, Trump issued an executive attempt on Monday, halting the choosing of federal civil people across the executive branch.  

The purchase, part of a broader strategy to optimize state operations, tasked the Office of Management and Budget with developing a plan to reduce the federal labor through performance measures and retention. Expand is expected to play a vital role in shaping those tips.

Unlike standard governmental agencies, DOGE operates outside state channels, relying on private-sector experts and Democratic allies in Congress to press its proposals.  

Musk and Ramaswamy’s relationship drew attention for its Silicon Valley relationships, including officials like Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale and walk entrepreneur Marc Andreessen.

The initiative’s relationship to Musk’s Dogecoin cult has also caused a blend among crypto lines.

A Trump plan top featuring Musk, Trump, and a Shiba Inu dog on the campaign trail added to the playful yet contentious clash between DOGE and crypto meme society.