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Teen nicknamed 'Big Balls' leaves Trump's cost-cutting team after exposing wasteful spending

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Original Story by Fox News
June 25, 2025
Teen nicknamed 'Big Balls' leaves Trump's cost-cutting team after exposing wasteful spending

Context:

Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old software developer nicknamed 'Big Balls', has resigned from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) amidst a departmental shakeup. His departure comes shortly after Elon Musk, the department head, left DOGE, which was tasked with cutting $2 trillion from the federal budget. Coristine had been scrutinizing U.S. Treasury Department payment computers and discovered numerous unexplained federal payments, highlighting a lack of accountability and potential for fraud. Despite criticism from Democrats and liberal media over his access to sensitive government data, Coristine's findings emphasized significant issues in governmental spending. DOGE's efforts have so far resulted in $180 billion in savings, translating to approximately $1,118 per taxpayer, though much work remains to reach the targeted budget cuts.

Dive Deeper:

  • Edward Coristine, a college student and software developer, became known in the Department of Government Efficiency for his audacious LinkedIn username, 'Big Balls', which amused Elon Musk and others during a Fox News interview.

  • Coristine was involved in identifying wasteful government spending by examining payment systems within the U.S. Treasury, uncovering a lack of transparency and accountability in federal payments.

  • His resignation follows a series of departures from DOGE, including Elon Musk, who had been leading efforts to significantly reduce federal spending by cutting $2 trillion from the budget.

  • Coristine faced criticism from Democrats and media pundits for his age and irreverent approach, particularly concerning his access to sensitive government records.

  • During his tenure, DOGE managed to save $180 billion through various measures like asset sales and fraud payment cuts, though this falls short of the targeted $2 trillion budget reduction.

  • The savings achieved by DOGE translate to approximately $1,118 per taxpayer, underscoring the department's significant, albeit incomplete, impact on reducing government expenses.

  • The shakeup at DOGE reflects broader challenges in implementing effective cost-cutting measures within the federal government, as the department continues its efforts to eliminate inefficiencies and fraudulent expenditures.

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