The advisory group called the Department of Government Efficiency is losing one of its leaders before it even begins.
Vivek Ramaswamy, whom President Trump named in November as co-leader of the initiative alongside Elon Musk, will quit the project because he plans to run for governor of Ohio.
“Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE,” said Anna Kelly, a spokeswoman for the White House, adding, “We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last two months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again!”
Mr. Ramaswamy’s position in Mr. Trump’s orbit has been tenuous for weeks as he irritated the president, several of Mr. Trump’s aides and, crucially, Mr. Musk. Mr. Musk has been sharply critical of Mr. Ramaswamy in private conversations.
Mr. Ramaswamy plans to announce his bid for governor of Ohio next week, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Mr. Trump announced the two billionaires to be co-leaders of the project, but it was an unequal partnership from the start. Mr. Musk has a much greater amount of wealth and a higher profile, and a top lieutenant of Mr. Musk, Steve Davis, largely runs the project.