President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk both just shock up the gubernatiornal race in Ohio when they endorsed former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Monday in the 2026 race, providing immediate high-profile support as Ramaswamy formally launched his campaign.
“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 wrote on Truth Social. “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!”
Musk, who serves as a senior advisor to Trump, quickly followed with his own endorsement on X, writing: “Good luck, you have my full endorsement!”
The 39-year-old biotech entrepreneur announced his candidacy during a rally in his hometown of Cincinnati to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in the 2026 election.
Ramaswamy pledged to make Ohio the best state in the Union.
“I will lead Ohio to become the state of excellence in America,” Ramaswamy told the crowd. “Think that sounds unrealistic? It’s not. In fact, it wasn’t long ago that Ohio was that state. Today, young people on the internet make fun of something by saying ‘that’s so Ohio.’ But less than a century ago, people weren’t making fun of Ohio, they were aspiring to be Ohio.”
Ramaswamy also vowed that Ohio would be an ally to Trump’s national agenda.
“President Trump is reviving our conviction in America,” he said. “We require a leader here at home who will revive our conviction in Ohio.”
The endorsements come after Ramaswamy was initially slated to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with Musk when Trump returned to the White House.
Ramaswamy exited the newly formed cost-cutting department ahead of Inauguration Day as he prepared to launch his gubernatorial campaign, sparking speculation about a possible falling out with Musk—allegations Ramaswamy has denied.
“I will lead Ohio to be the top state in the country where patriots across America actually flock to instead of Florida and Texas,” Ramaswamy added during his campaign launch.
Ramaswamy previously ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primary before dropping out to endorse Trump and become a campaign surrogate.