Elon Musk Sparks Debate with X Poll on Rehiring Controversial DOGE Staffer
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk ignited controversy on Friday by launching a poll on his social media platform, X, asking users whether a former DOGE team member, Marko Elez, should be rehired. Elez resigned from a Trump administration role after past tweets advocating racism and eugenics surfaced.
Musk’s Poll Triggers Public Reaction
Musk’s tweet asked: “Bring back @DOGE staffer who made inappropriate statements via a now-deleted pseudonym?” The poll, which closed at 11:15 a.m., amassed over 385,000 votes, with 78% in favor of Elez’s return and 22% against it.
Marko Elez’s Controversial History
The uproar began when The Wall Street Journal investigated Elez’s link to an X account known for inflammatory statements. One of the posts stated: “Just for the record, I was racist before it was cool.” Another tweet in June read: “I would not mind at all if Gaza and Israel were both wiped off the face of the Earth.”
Following public backlash, Elez stepped down. However, before his resignation, he and another DOGE staffer were granted access to the U.S. Treasury’s payment system, though a federal judge restricted their ability to share sensitive data.
The Role of DOGE in Government
Elez was a part of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team, which President Donald Trump assigned to cut federal spending and optimize government operations. Before joining DOGE, Elez had worked for both X and SpaceX.
Government Officials Weigh In
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the DOGE staff working under his department, telling Bloomberg that they were “highly trained professionals.” However, he did not confirm if Elez was among those he personally vetted.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright also addressed concerns in a CNBC interview, stating that DOGE consultants were brought in to analyze government efficiency. He dismissed rumors that they had access to sensitive nuclear data, stressing that they lacked security clearances.
Meanwhile, CNN reported that a DOGE staffer had gained access to the Energy Department’s IT system, fueling further concerns over the scope of their influence in government operations.
Final Thoughts
Musk’s decision to involve the public in a hiring decision underscores his unconventional leadership style. While the poll results strongly favored Elez’s reinstatement, ethical and security concerns continue to fuel the debate over DOGE’s role in government and the potential risks associated with their access to federal systems.