Washington, DC — A former Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) staffer — better known online as “Big Balls” — was reportedly savagely beaten during an attempted carjacking near Dupont Circle early Sunday morning, after stepping in to protect a young woman.
Victim Identified as Edward Coristine
The victim, Edward Coristine, 19, was described as a tech prodigy who had previously interned at Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain implant company, before being hand-picked for a position at Doge. He now reportedly holds a senior advisory role with both the State Department and Department of Homeland Security.
According to witnesses and social media reports, Coristine intervened when a group of eight assailants attempted to steal a woman’s car. He was allegedly beaten by the group, sustaining visible injuries.
“Edward protected a young woman from an attempted carjacking by eight thugs near Dupont Circle,” wrote Marko Elez, a fellow Doge staffer, on X. “Violence like this in the heart of DC is completely unacceptable.”
Elez, who was previously fired and later rehired by Doge over a racist social media post, shared a photo believed to show Coristine shirtless, bloodied, and slumped on the sidewalk, with red stains covering his white trousers.
Trump Reacts: “Incredible Young Man”
The incident drew a forceful response from former President Donald Trump, who posted the image on his Truth Social account Tuesday, calling Coristine an “incredible man” and condemning rising crime in the capital.
“The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs,” Trump wrote. “Washington, DC, must be safe, clean and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see.”
“If DC doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take federal control of the City… perhaps this should have been done a long time ago.”
Trump also said 14-year-olds should be tried as adults, citing this attack as a symbol of out-of-control youth violence in major cities.
Controversial Past and Online Persona
Coristine made headlines earlier this year after media reports linked him to cybercrime groups, raising alarms over his former access to sensitive government data. While he has not commented publicly on those allegations, his unusual online presence — including a past X account under @edwardbigballer — made him an unlikely but high-profile government hire.
- His nickname “Big Balls” reportedly came from that username, which he also listed on LinkedIn.
- He was one of the youngest recruits at Doge, an experimental agency focused on government tech efficiency.
Despite his unconventional image, sources confirmed to the Washington Post that Coristine has since transitioned into serious roles within federal agencies.
Renewed Spotlight on Crime in the Capital
The attack has reignited debate over public safety in Washington, DC, with some critics accusing local leadership of failing to rein in violent crime. The incident occurred in one of the city’s more visible neighborhoods — Dupont Circle — just blocks from federal offices and embassies.
Authorities have not announced any arrests as of yet, and the suspects remain at large.
What do you think about rising crime in major U.S. cities? Should the federal government step in? Share your thoughts in the comments.
