President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate and entrepreneur from Ohio, to lead a new initiative aimed at reducing government spending through a newly established Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. Ramaswamy will work alongside Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk, as announced in a statement from Trump.
Vivek Ramaswamy, born on August 9, 1985, to Indian immigrant parents, grew up in Evendale, a suburb of Cincinnati. His father, an engineer and patent attorney for General Electric, and his mother, a geriatric psychiatrist, provided a solid educational foundation that Ramaswamy embraced throughout his life. He excelled academically and athletically, becoming the valedictorian of St. Xavier High School in 2003 and a standout tennis player.
Ramaswamy pursued higher education at prestigious institutions, earning a Bachelor of Science in biology from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School. In 2014, he founded Roivant Sciences, a pharmaceutical research company that gained considerable value, reaching $7.3 billion by 2021 according to Forbes. He also launched Strive Asset Management in 2022 to advocate for corporate neutrality in political and social matters.
In addition to his entrepreneurial success, Ramaswamy is also a published author, known for his book “Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America’s Social Justice Scam.” He briefly entered the 2024 presidential race but suspended his campaign after a fourth-place finish in the Iowa Caucuses, recognizing limited paths to victory.
Notably, during his time at Harvard, Ramaswamy adopted the persona “Da Vek,” a libertarian rapper who performed original rap songs with a market-oriented theme. His diverse background speaks to a multifaceted individual who continues to navigate various challenges and opportunities.
With a net worth estimated at $1 billion as of November 2024, Ramaswamy embodies a blend of entrepreneurship, academic excellence, and a unique approach to advocacy, which he is now applying to his new role in the government. His appointment signifies a fresh perspective on government efficiency, and there is hope that his leadership can catalyze meaningful reforms aimed at enhancing fiscal responsibility in the United States.