Musk's Doge Unit Faces Controversy as Member Resigns Over Racism Allegations

Marko Elez resigns from Musk's Department of Government Efficiency amid uproar over racist social media postings, prompting discussions on accountability and social media scrutiny.

A tumultuous episode has unfolded within Elon Musk’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) as Marko Elez, a 25-year-old advisor, has resigned following allegations connecting him to a now-deleted social media account that disseminated racist content. Elez, who previously held a position at Musk’s SpaceX, faced backlash after media outlets linked him to controversial postings that supported eugenics and expressed discriminatory views.

The White House confirmed Elez's resignation on Friday; however, the reasons were left vague. Musk himself publicly acknowledged the controversy on X, his social media platform, by running a poll asking followers if he should reinstate the staff member behind "inappropriate statements" found under a pseudonym. The account, which posted such remarks as “I was racist before it was cool,” has drawn significant attention for its incendiary commentary that included sentiments against inter-ethnic relationships and derogatory views toward specific communities.

Since the story broke, the poll has attracted over 385,000 participants, revealing that a staggering 78% of respondents are in favor of Elez's reinstatement, despite the uproar. Musk responded to criticisms of Elez’s posts, affirming, "True," in reply to one user’s comment about discussing the issue with Elez.

Vice-president JD Vance weighed in on the matter, stating that while he disagreed with some of Elez’s expressed views, he believed that "stupid social media activity should not ruin a kid's life," advocating for his return to the team.

Elez’s departure coincides with escalating scrutiny of the Doge unit, a cost-cutting advisory formed by Trump, which has taken on significant responsibilities early in his second term. As Musk's administration pushes for comprehensive cutbacks and restructuring within the federal apparatus, a recent ruling by a US judge blocked some of these initiatives, including a plan for incentivizing federal workers to resign voluntarily.

The shadow cast by Elez's resignation and the reactions it has sparked may pose challenges for Musk and his team as they navigate this controversial but ambitious government overhaul.