Marko Elez, 25, resigns as a member of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) following revelations of a now-deleted social media account promoting racist ideology. His resignation adds to the scrutiny surrounding the unit, established to streamline government functions in the early days of Trump's second term.
Elon Musk's Doge Unit Faces Controversy Over Resignation Linked to Racist Posts
Elon Musk's Doge Unit Faces Controversy Over Resignation Linked to Racist Posts
A young staffer resigns amid backlash over hate-filled social media account associated with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
In a shocking turn of events, 25-year-old Marko Elez has resigned from Elon Musk's recently established Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), following reports linking him to a now-deleted social media account that propagated racism and eugenics. The departure was confirmed by the White House on Friday, though the reasons were not disclosed.
Musk himself acknowledged the situation, conducting a poll on his social media platform, X, asking users whether they believed he should reinstate the staff member known for making "inappropriate statements" under a pseudonym. One troubling post from the account, reflected a dismissive attitude towards social change, asserting, “Just for the record, I was racist before it was cool,” published in July.
The user’s account featured a series of inflammatory remarks, including one in September stating, “You could not pay me to marry outside of my ethnicity,” and another post urging readers to "normalize Indian hate." These incendiary comments have elicited significant media scrutiny, culminating in their verification by the BBC.
As of Friday morning, over 385,000 individuals participated in Musk’s poll regarding Elez's potential reinstatement, with an overwhelming 78% advocating for his return. Responding to criticisms of Elez's past statements, Musk remarked, "True," signaling his acknowledgment of the concerns raised by users.
Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, arguing against the long-term consequences of Elez’s social media behavior, stating, “I don’t think stupid social media activity should ruin a kid’s life,” thereby supporting the notion of giving Elez another chance.
Elez's resignation arrives at a time when the Doge unit, initially conceived to tackle federal inefficiencies, is under intense scrutiny. Notably, a US judge recently intervened, putting a hold on a controversial initiative that aimed to incentivize voluntary resignations among federal employees. Musk has also been a proponent of dismantling USAID, which is responsible for international development, announcing plans to place most of its 10,000 staff on administrative leave.
The unfolding events surrounding the Doge unit highlight not only the challenges of managing government efficiency but also the cultural sensitivities that accompany such radical changes, particularly under the spotlight of high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump.
Musk himself acknowledged the situation, conducting a poll on his social media platform, X, asking users whether they believed he should reinstate the staff member known for making "inappropriate statements" under a pseudonym. One troubling post from the account, reflected a dismissive attitude towards social change, asserting, “Just for the record, I was racist before it was cool,” published in July.
The user’s account featured a series of inflammatory remarks, including one in September stating, “You could not pay me to marry outside of my ethnicity,” and another post urging readers to "normalize Indian hate." These incendiary comments have elicited significant media scrutiny, culminating in their verification by the BBC.
As of Friday morning, over 385,000 individuals participated in Musk’s poll regarding Elez's potential reinstatement, with an overwhelming 78% advocating for his return. Responding to criticisms of Elez's past statements, Musk remarked, "True," signaling his acknowledgment of the concerns raised by users.
Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, arguing against the long-term consequences of Elez’s social media behavior, stating, “I don’t think stupid social media activity should ruin a kid’s life,” thereby supporting the notion of giving Elez another chance.
Elez's resignation arrives at a time when the Doge unit, initially conceived to tackle federal inefficiencies, is under intense scrutiny. Notably, a US judge recently intervened, putting a hold on a controversial initiative that aimed to incentivize voluntary resignations among federal employees. Musk has also been a proponent of dismantling USAID, which is responsible for international development, announcing plans to place most of its 10,000 staff on administrative leave.
The unfolding events surrounding the Doge unit highlight not only the challenges of managing government efficiency but also the cultural sensitivities that accompany such radical changes, particularly under the spotlight of high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump.
