Radio host Charlamagne tha God dismissed Vivek Ramaswamy’s claims about his exit from the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). He made it clear—he doesn’t believe the entrepreneur.
On “The Breakfast Club,” Charlamagne pressed Ramaswamy, who plans to run for governor of Ohio. This comes after leaving President Trump’s DOGE.
Charlamagne didn’t hold back. He asked if Ramaswamy, who co-led the department with Elon Musk, was forced out or fired.
“It was a slightly different vision from where we started to where we landed,” Ramaswamy responded. Mediaite highlighted his comments.
Ramaswamy said he initially focused on downsizing the federal government through legal and constitutional means. But when Musk joined, the project “evolved” into a tech-driven approach.
He insisted there was no bad blood. He and Musk had “slightly different approaches” but remained “on good terms.” He also called it “incorrect” to say they didn’t get along.
“What he and I both concluded, and I think this is right, is given my focus on law, on legislation, the right way to realize my vision is through elected office,” Ramaswamy said. “So that’s what I’m going to be pursuing.”
Charlamagne wasn’t convinced. Reports claimed Ramaswamy was pushed out due to clashes with Musk. He confronted him on it.
“I would say that we arrived at it pretty mutually,” Ramaswamy replied. He added, “I’ve been committed to this path of likely running for governor of Ohio for a long time.”
Charlamagne then shifted gears. He brought up Trump revoking diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. He asked if that played a role in Ramaswamy’s exit.
Ramaswamy doubled down. He said Musk was better suited for a “technology-first approach.” His own strengths, he argued, were in law and legislation. “We all agreed on that,” he said, calling it a “good thing” that allowed them to “collaborate, divide and conquer.”
Charlamagne wasn’t buying it. “I hear you, Vivek. I don’t believe you,” he said. “I think you either got pushed out, or you know that it’s going to implode. I think that you know Elon is going to crash and burn.”