Did Elon Musk push Vivek Ramaswamy out of DOGE after H-1B visa debate backlash? What we know

Ramaswamy was present at an all-hands meeting for DOGE on January 18, though Musk was absent.

Vivek Ramaswamy has officially stepped down from his role in the newly-established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), just hours after President Donald Trump took office on Monday. The move comes as Ramaswamy, the Indian-American entrepreneur-turned-politician, prepares to run for Governor of Ohio, leaving Elon Musk to lead the cost-cutting initiative alone.

Ramaswamy confirmed his departure in a post on X, stating, “It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. I’m confident that Elon and his team will succeed in streamlining government.”

It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. Im confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. Ill have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, were all-in to help President Trump make America great again! https://t.co/f1YFZm8X13
Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 20, 2025

Ramaswamy’s exit from DOGE is being dubbed the first casualty of the internal power struggles within the MAGA movement. A Politico report suggests that Ramaswamy’s controversial comments on American culture, posted on X, played a crucial role in his removal. In the post, Ramaswamy criticised American culture for glorifying mediocrity and overlooking excellence. He also took aim at famous American movies and television series, claiming that the culture celebrated the “prom queen over the math olympiad champ.” Additionally, he suggested that American companies favored foreign-born engineers over native Americans due to the country’s veneration of mediocrity.

Ramaswamy’s views on the H-1B visa program, which allows US companies to hire foreign workers, align with those of Elon Musk and Donald Trump. However, his rant reportedly “irked some Republicans in Trump’s circle,” leading to Musk’s decision to part ways with Ramaswamy, the Politico report added.

A Republican strategist close to Trump’s advisers was quoted in Politico, saying that Ramaswamy had “burned through the bridges” and had ultimately “burned Elon.” “Everyone wants him out of Mar-a-Lago, out of DC,” the strategist added.

“They wanted him out before the tweet — but kicked him to the curb when that (the X post) came out,” another source familiar with the developments told Politico.

According to a Hindustan Times report, an insider, along with two others familiar with Elon Musk's preferences, claimed it was Musk who ultimately pushed Ramaswamy out after the heated visa debate deepened the rift between them. A Republican strategist close to Trump added that Ramaswamy "burned through the bridges, and he finally burned Elon."

Musk's decisive move has solidified his influence within Trump’s inner circle, with sources noting that "everyone wants" Vivek "out of Mar-a-Lago, out of DC."

Ramaswamy has not yet confirmed a specific date for his announcement regarding the Ohio Governor run, though reports suggest it may happen as early as next week. His campaign is expected to launch in 2026.

Ramaswamy was present at an all-hands meeting for DOGE on January 18, though Musk was absent. Sources familiar with the situation told Politico that Ramaswamy had not been involved in significant DOGE-related work since early December.