Ramaswamy's Past Criticism of Musk Revealed

Vivek Ramaswamy, recently appointed by President-elect Donald Trump to co-lead the proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Elon Musk, has a history of harsh criticisms directed at Musk, whom he previously labeled a 'circus monkey' for supposedly pandering to China. Ramaswamy's remarks, unearthed by CNN, highlight his concerns about Musk's business dealings in China, particularly Tesla's heavy reliance on its Shanghai factory, which accounted for over half of its global sales in 2023. In 2022, Ramaswamy condemned Musk's suggestion that Taiwan become a 'special administrative region' of China, interpreting it as a maneuver to secure favorable treatment from Chinese authorities. Despite these past criticisms, Ramaswamy has recently softened his tone, expressing admiration for Musk and emphasizing their shared commitment to American interests. His earlier comments raise questions about Musk's potential conflicts of interest in his role at DOGE, particularly regarding government spending and regulation. The evolving dynamics between Ramaswamy and Musk reflect a complex interplay of political and business interests as they prepare to influence federal financial policies.