Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy officially declared his candidacy for the Ohio Governor’s race in 2026 on Monday, receiving backing from former U.S. President Donald Trump. However, the most notable endorsement came from tech billionaire Elon Musk, despite recent reports suggesting tensions between the two following Ramaswamy’s exit from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk took to his social media platform, X, to extend his support, stating, “Good luck, you have my full endorsement!” In response, Ramaswamy expressed his gratitude, replying, “Thank you, Elon. Let’s roll!”
Ramaswamy was initially appointed by Trump to co-lead DOGE alongside Musk after the U.S. presidential election. However, as Trump’s inauguration approached, speculation grew regarding Ramaswamy’s role within the department. Reports from Politico, citing sources close to Musk, indicated that disagreements between the two led to Ramaswamy’s departure. The Tesla CEO reportedly pushed for his removal due to conflicting views.
Adding to the controversy, Ramaswamy sparked debate over Christmas with social media posts that were perceived as critical of American cultural values. He also clashed with hardline Republicans over the H-1B visa program, which allows foreign workers to be employed in the U.S. In December, he criticized American tech firms for hiring foreign talent, arguing that the country had “venerated mediocrity over excellence.” Despite this, Ramaswamy, Musk, and Trump had previously acknowledged flaws in the H-1B system while advocating for its continuation.
According to Politico, Ramaswamy’s outspoken remarks accelerated his departure from DOGE. A Republican strategist linked to Trump’s inner circle remarked, “He burned bridges quickly, and now even Elon wants him out. People in Mar-a-Lago and D.C. want him gone.” Another insider claimed that while his removal was already in motion, the controversial tweets sealed his fate. Additionally, a DOGE official noted that Musk saw it as impractical for Ramaswamy to simultaneously campaign for office while serving in the organization.
Despite these reports, Ramaswamy denied that Musk had ousted him, instead stating that they had “different yet complementary approaches” to managing DOGE and maintained alignment on key objectives. He emphasized the importance of federalism, asserting that state governments play a crucial role in constitutional revival. “There’s no better person than Elon Musk, with his technological and digital expertise, to lead,” he added.
With his official announcement on Monday, Ramaswamy enters the race to become Ohio’s governor. If successful, he would join the ranks of only three Indian Americans who have previously been elected as U.S. state governors—Bobby Jindal in Louisiana and Nikki Haley in South Carolina, both from the Republican Party.
