A 19-year-old former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee, known by the nickname “Big Balls,” has become the latest target of media scrutiny as Elon Musk’s agency continues its efforts to cut government waste.

Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk gestures on stage as he prepares to speak inside the Capital One arena on the inauguration day of Donald Trump’s second Presidential term, in Washington on January 20, 2025.

The employee, whose real name is Edward Coristine, was reportedly dismissed from DOGE, prompting outlets like CNN and Newsweek to investigate his background.

Their findings, however, uncovered nothing disqualifying beyond his past involvement in Tesla.Sexy LLC—a project he started at age 16—and his role in launching an AI Discord Bot in Russia.

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Despite the lack of any significant revelations, Coristine’s employment history has become a talking point for media outlets critical of Musk and President Donald Trump’s agenda to overhaul government spending.

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Newsweek’s report highlighted Coristine’s young age and prior business ventures, but did not cite any violations or misconduct that would explain the intense scrutiny surrounding his departure from DOGE.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal was accused of doxxing Coristine, with reports linking the journalist responsible to USAID—an agency that Musk and Trump’s administration have targeted for closure due to allegations of financial mismanagement and funding political activism.

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The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, was created to reduce government waste and realign federal spending priorities.

Its work has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and left-leaning media outlets, particularly as it moves forward with the shutdown of USAID—a major foreign aid agency long accused of channeling taxpayer dollars toward progressive causes and political influence operations.

The Biden-Harris administration previously expanded USAID’s budget, directing billions of dollars toward NGOs, international media outlets, and social engineering projects.

The Trump administration’s decision to halt funding and dissolve the agency has led to protests and opposition from Democratic lawmakers.

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Amid the controversy, President Trump signaled his support for Coristine, reportedly requesting his reinstatement at DOGE.

Trump’s backing comes as the agency continues its mission to dismantle bureaucratic inefficiencies and curb spending on programs deemed wasteful or politically motivated.

While media scrutiny of DOGE and its staff intensifies, the public response to the agency’s work remains overwhelmingly positive.

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A Reuters-Ipsos poll released earlier this week found that 56% of Americans support Trump’s executive order freezing foreign aid and reassessing spending priorities—a key component of DOGE’s operations.

Despite backlash from media outlets and Democratic opposition, DOGE’s efforts to streamline government spending will continue. USAID’s shutdown is scheduled for completion today, marking one of the biggest shake-ups in federal funding in decades.

As scrutiny over DOGE and its personnel grows, Musk and Trump’s administration remain focused on eliminating waste and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently.

Whether Coristine returns to his role or not, DOGE’s work appears far from over.

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