Young Coder Exits Government Efficiency Role

A 19-year-old programmer, who goes by “big ball” online, stepped away from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Tuesday, following the earlier departure of Elon Musk. Edward Coristine, a former staff member at DOGE, had gained attention and criticism due to his youth and lack of experience. His exit adds to a series of departures from the agency, including the notable exit of Steve Davis, a key figure associated with Musk.

“I’m officially out of that office,” Coristine mentioned on X. He expressed some relief about his departure, stating, “It feels good to breathe again.” He hinted at future plans involving “meatball coin scams” but promised to share more insights about his experience soon.

Coristine rose to prominence this past February, with coverage that highlighted his early involvement in a business called Tesla.Sexy LLC, which he founded around the age of 16. Within DOGE, he moved between various agencies, including the General Services Bureau and Homeland Security. Reports suggest he worked on projects ranging from drafting lists of potential layoffs to proposing AI tools for audit automation. A former classmate remarked that Coristine “was never really going to college” and aimed to carve his own path akin to tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates.

While Musk’s departure seemed tied to a public feud with Trump, the White House maintains that DOGE will persist. However, there has been no response from the White House regarding inquiries from the media.