Vivek Ramaswamy, former co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with Elon Musk, shared his insights on the criticism faced by Musk and the DOGE agenda. Ramaswamy attributed the hostility towards Musk to what he described as irrationality stemming from a broader trend of negativity, likening it to the Trump Derangement Syndrome that has been prevalent in recent years.
President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the DOGE initiative have all come under increasing scrutiny from Democrats and various media outlets. The latest controversy surrounding Musk involved remarks made by 'The View' co-host Joy Behar, who later corrected herself after suggesting Musk was 'pro-apartheid.' Behar's comments sparked a debate about Musk's citizenship and loyalty to the United States, with Rep. Marcy Kaptur questioning his allegiance due to his relatively recent naturalization.
Ramaswamy emphasized the need for federalism and decentralization, advocating for a shift of power from Washington, D.C., to the states. He highlighted the importance of transparency in government spending and the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse to benefit taxpayers. Ramaswamy expressed his desire for lasting reforms through legislative action, aiming for significant and rapid changes rather than incremental adjustments.

Addressing concerns about the pace of reforms, Ramaswamy defended the administration's swift actions, citing the need to counteract what he perceived as negative trends from the previous four years. He outlined a vision for reclaiming the country by addressing issues such as open borders, overspending, and social divisions.
Ramaswamy officially announced his candidacy for Ohio governor, succeeding the term-limited incumbent, Gov. Mike DeWine. The upcoming gubernatorial race in November 2026 is expected to feature Ramaswamy as a prominent candidate vying for leadership in Ohio.