Who is Edward Coristine? Ex-DOGE Employee and Viral Hero Backed by Trump and Musk

Edward Coristine, known online by his bold nickname “Big Balls”, is a 19-year-old former government tech worker who’s gone from bureaucratic reformer to viral hero—thanks to a violent incident in Washington, D.C. that brought Donald Trump and Elon Musk into rare public agreement.

Who is Edward Coristine? Early Career: From Student to Federal Systems Insider

Coristine first made waves when he was recruited to DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency)—a Musk-backed initiative aimed at cutting fraud and improving performance in U.S. federal agencies. At the time, Coristine was still a freshman engineering student, but he left college early after being identified as a tech talent capable of managing sensitive government systems.

He was reportedly one of only two DOGE employees with full access to mission-critical systems at the Small Business Administration (SBA). He later worked on digital improvements for the Social Security Administration (SSA) and even had responsibilities linked to Justice, Homeland Security, and the FBI databases.

His unusual nickname, “Big Balls,” started as a joke but became a personal brand on social media. Coristine explained in interviews that it was meant to challenge the stiff, hyper-professional norms of platforms like LinkedIn.

The Carjacking Incident: Heroism in D.C.

On August 5, 2025, Coristine was violently assaulted while stepping in to protect a woman from an attempted carjacking in Washington, D.C. According to multiple reports, including from NBC News and Fox, Coristine intervened during the attack and was severely beaten by a group of eight assailants.

His friend, Marko Elez, captured a now-viral image of Coristine bloodied and bruised, which was quickly shared by Donald Trump on Truth Social. Trump described Coristine as having been “beaten mercilessly by local thugs” and blamed local officials for their “failure to control violent crime.” He even suggested he may federalize the D.C. government if conditions don’t improve.

Elon Musk reposted Trump’s statement on X (formerly Twitter), praising Coristine for his courage and confirming that the young man was indeed a former DOGE employee.

Public Reactions and Rising Fame

Coristine’s act of bravery triggered widespread praise and political commentary. Many see him as a symbol of civic courage, stepping up where institutions have failed. Others point to the incident as a case study in rising crime and government inefficiency.

Despite the media storm, Coristine himself has remained relatively quiet, recovering from his injuries while public support continues to build. Notably, he had no idea there was a reward or national attention coming—he just acted on instinct.

Ties to Power

• Followed by Elon Musk on X

• Known inside federal agencies for his access to high-level systems

• Symbolically endorsed by Trump and Musk, despite their differing political views

• Nickname “Big Balls” has become a trending social symbol for courage in chaotic times

What’s Next for Coristine?

With Trump and Musk both publicly backing him, Coristine’s profile may continue to rise. He could become an advocate for government reform, public safety, or even tech-driven governance. His unique blend of Gen Z boldness, real-world courage, and bureaucratic experience places him at the crossroads of politics, technology, and civic duty.