Did Elon Musk push Vivek Ramaswamy out of DOGE following H-1B remarks?
Vivek Ramaswamy has stepped down from his leadership role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after being part of its creation with Elon Musk. His resignation, announced following President Donald Trump’s second-term inauguration, is linked to his decision to run for Ohio Governor in 2026. As Ohio's current Governor, Mike DeWine, is restricted by term limits, Ramaswamy is aiming to revive his political career within the state.
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Ramaswamy’s exit from DOGE was reportedly hastened by his recent remarks on X (formerly Twitter), where he criticised American culture and its hiring practices, especially in relation to the H-1B visa programme. His comments, which aligned with positions held by Musk and Trump, suggested that American companies prioritise foreign-born engineers over native Americans due to a cultural veneration of mediocrity over excellence.
The remarks included a broader critique of American culture, with Ramaswamy stating, «American culture venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long.» He further attacked iconic elements of American culture, criticising popular films and TV shows, and argued that the American public celebrated the «prom queen over the math olympiad champ.» While these comments were in line with Musk and Trump’s views, they reportedly irked some Republicans within Trump’s circle.
