Big Balls' Edward Coristine: Teen Tech Prodigy Quits Musk's DOGE Taskforce Amid Cybercrime Scandal

Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old tech adviser known online as 'Big Balls', has resigned from Elon Musk's federal DOGE taskforce following explosive reports linking him to cybercrime-related firms and internal misconduct.

The teen prodigy, once hailed as a digital reform champion within the Trump-era Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), stepped down on 24 June in Washington, D.C. His departure comes amid intensifying scrutiny over his past affiliations and the agency's opaque hiring practices.

What Triggered His Sudden Exit

Coristine's resignation followed a series of investigative reports that cast doubt on his background. According to The New York Times, he was previously dismissed from cybersecurity firm Path Network over allegations of leaking sensitive information.

Meanwhile, The Guardian cited his ties to DiamondCDN, a company once accused of providing infrastructure to the hacking group EGodly.

While Coristine has denied direct involvement in any cybercriminal activities, internal emails obtained by MSN revealed growing unease among senior officials about his continued role within the agency.

Inside Coristine's Role at DOGE

Despite his young age, Coristine was granted expansive access to several high-level federal departments, including the Treasury, Homeland Security, and the Office of Management and Budget.

Elon Musk, who initially led the DOGE programme before stepping back, was reportedly a key supporter of Coristine, calling him a 'digital wunderkind' with disruptive potential.

The DOGE taskforce was established to modernise outdated federal IT systems, but has faced criticism for fast-tracked hires and lax vetting standards. Insiders told The Guardian that appointments—like Coristine's—were made with little oversight.

Political Fallout and Industry Reactions

Lawmakers and cybersecurity experts reacted swiftly. Several U.S. senators have called for a formal inquiry into how Coristine cleared security checks. One senior official, speaking anonymously, said: 'This resignation shouldn't have been necessary—because he never should have been hired.'

Critics argue that the Coristine controversy reflects deeper flaws in DOGE itself, describing it as 'more Silicon Valley theatre than serious governance.'

Public Backlash and Internet Uproar

Online reactions have been sharp and relentless. Coristine's internet alias, 'Big Balls', trended on X (formerly Twitter), with users questioning how someone with such a moniker was entrusted with federal access.

Screenshots of his resignation memo circulated widely, amplifying concerns about DOGE's credibility. Watchdog groups have since demanded a full audit of all systems Coristine worked on, though no data breaches have yet been confirmed.

What This Means for DOGE's Future

Coristine's exit is the latest blow to the already embattled DOGE taskforce. Elon Musk himself resigned in May, followed by the departure of two senior engineers. With public trust eroding and mounting calls for the agency's dissolution, DOGE's future appears increasingly uncertain.

A former General Services Administration (GSA) staffer told MSN: 'It's hard to innovate when you're constantly cleaning up messes. This wasn't tech disruption—it was reckless improvisation.'

Why It Matters Now

Coristine's resignation underscores the risks of combining tech idealism with weak institutional safeguards. It serves as a cautionary tale: reform without accountability can quickly unravel. As DOGE faces renewed scrutiny, the fallout from this scandal may well shape how digital governance is approached in future administrations.