'He is something special': Donald Trump, Elon Musk endorse Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio governor

US President Donald Trump endorsed entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio governor. Ramaswamy launched his campaign Monday night near the Cincinnati suburb where he grew up, vowing to push for economic reforms, tax cuts, and deregulation.

"Vivek Ramaswamy is running for governor of the great state of Ohio. I know him well, competed against him, and he is something special," Trump said in a post on social media. "He’s young, strong, and smart! Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our country. He will be a great governor of Ohio, will never let you down, and has my complete and total endorsement!"


Meanwhile, Musk also voiced his support for Ramaswamy, posting on X, "Good luck, you have my full endorsement!" Ramaswamy responded, "Thank you Elon. Let’s roll!"

"

Ramaswamy, 39, gained national recognition through his 2024 presidential run and as a vocal supporter of Trump. Announcing his bid, he said, "I am honored to announce my candidacy to serve as the next governor of the state of Ohio."

The biotech entrepreneur pledged to eliminate both income and property taxes, arguing, "It's your money, not the government's." He also proposed a policy requiring the removal of 10 regulations for every new one introduced. "We want to be the top state in the country to be an entrepreneur," he added.


Ramaswamy will face Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost in the Republican primary, while Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel has not ruled out a bid. On the Democratic side, former Ohio department of health director Dr. Amy Acton is currently the only declared candidate.

Yost, responding to Ramaswamy’s announcement, questioned his commitment to the state. "We'll see if he actually stays in — Mr. Ramaswamy quit on President Trump and DOGE on day one, he quit on Ohio and moved his company to Texas, and he quit his presidential campaign after a devastating fourth-place finish in Iowa," Yost said in a statement.

Acton also criticised Ramaswamy, referencing a controversial X post in which he lamented America’s "veneration of mediocrity." She argued his comments show he is "out of touch with Ohioans."

"It’s clear Vivek Ramaswamy doesn’t know the same Ohioans I do," Acton said. "Where he sees laziness and mediocrity, I see our strength, our grit, and our opportunity."

At his campaign launch, Ramaswamy hit back at Acton, criticising her role during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Never again will we bend the knee to an Anthony Fauci knockoff who allowed our schools to be closed,” he said, without directly naming Acton. “She owes those kids an apology.”

Ramaswamy is set to continue his campaign with events in New Albany, Toledo, and Strongsville in the coming days.