Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

sop

(17,480 posts)
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 04:43 PM Aug 2025

"Big Balls" beaten and bloodied in DC

"Trump administration staffer known as ‘Big Balls’ assaulted in DC...Edward Coristine, who played a key role in early days of DOGE, was attacked while trying to stop an apparent carjacking, according to a police report...Trump posted a photo on his social media platform showing a shirtless Coristine with what appeared to be blood spattered on his face, body and pants."

More at link:

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/05/trump-administration-staffer-known-as-big-balls-assaulted-in-dc-00494990

63 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"Big Balls" beaten and bloodied in DC (Original Post) sop Aug 2025 OP
Bullshit JoseBalow Aug 2025 #1
Bullshit? sop Aug 2025 #6
Bullshit. JoseBalow Aug 2025 #10
What is "bullshit"? sop Aug 2025 #13
Shit that comes out of a bull JoseBalow Aug 2025 #14
So, you're saying this report is bullshit? sop Aug 2025 #15
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. JoseBalow Aug 2025 #17
You know, I get it. "Big Balls" is viewed as a villain here, rightly so for his actions while working for Musk and DOGE. sop Aug 2025 #18
No, MAGA morons make unfounded inferences JoseBalow Aug 2025 #19
You're floundering here, Jose. sop Aug 2025 #20
Bullshit JoseBalow Aug 2025 #21
Just for the record...are you saying this incident didn't happen? sop Aug 2025 #22
So what evidence can you offer that calling this bullshit isn't unfounded? EdmondDantes_ Aug 2025 #57
The DC police were in on the hoax? MichMan Aug 2025 #27
For one thing... Chemical Bill Aug 2025 #44
Yes, they are manufacturing Bullshit. Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2025 #52
Big Balls Truthers? sop Aug 2025 #59
Agreed. Nt lostnfound Aug 2025 #29
Fake news UpInArms Aug 2025 #2
Fake News? sop Aug 2025 #4
They could at least try to come up with more believable lies. Irish_Dem Aug 2025 #3
Lies? sop Aug 2025 #5
No one believes Big Balls rushed to save a woman in danger, Irish_Dem Aug 2025 #7
Apparently, they don't call him "big balls" for nothing. sop Aug 2025 #8
I'll bet he's got little balls. Like calling a big guy by the nickname, Tiny Walleye Aug 2025 #28
He put a woman into his car at 3 AM? newdeal2 Aug 2025 #9
From PBS: sop Aug 2025 #12
Coke deal that went sideways, IMO. BannonsLiver Aug 2025 #25
I wonder what really happened Torchlight Aug 2025 #11
"Feel sorry for poor me" Clouds Passing Aug 2025 #16
Something here doesn't jibe. yellow dahlia Aug 2025 #23
What doesn't jibe? sop Aug 2025 #24
Keep it ForgedCrank Aug 2025 #30
It's really strange when actual events are said to be "lies," "bullshit" and "fake news" because people don't like the sop Aug 2025 #37
Trump is using the assault as a reason to federalize DC and take away citizens' rights. live love laugh Aug 2025 #34
That was the main focus in the New York Times' story. sop Aug 2025 #36
A little too convenient... yellow dahlia Aug 2025 #43
Drug/Prositution Deal yankee87 Aug 2025 #26
These damn rich right wingers think they can just flaunt their wealth Walleye Aug 2025 #31
Most all carjackings are the fault of the car owner. MichMan Aug 2025 #41
Well, anybody who really lives in a city knows to dress down and not show off your affluence. Don't flash the cash Walleye Aug 2025 #45
have you ever been on the DC subway? Blues Heron Aug 2025 #51
Personally, not very interested in going there MichMan Aug 2025 #54
Who cares JBTaurus83 Aug 2025 #32
Phony VanceFan Aug 2025 #33
I wouldn't put it past him Walleye Aug 2025 #46
More about this "false flag stunt" from the DC Police report: sop Aug 2025 #50
Beat up by a 15 yr old girl and boy Arazi Aug 2025 #35
It is Theater (with a horrible purpose) Nictuku Aug 2025 #38
At my predicted rate of exaggeration, it'll be a gang of at least 35 by the weekend. Buns_of_Fire Aug 2025 #39
To those saying this is fake, he definitely did get beaten up. Though I doubt he Scrivener7 Aug 2025 #40
They believed Jusse Smollett at first too. MichMan Aug 2025 #42
The woman is being described by police as his significant other not a stranger. Elon lies. Walleye Aug 2025 #47
The DC Police report identified the woman as Emily Bryant, describing her as Coristine's "significant other." sop Aug 2025 #48
Is she being accused of beating him up ? JI7 Aug 2025 #62
I got a bridge to sell you. Solomon Aug 2025 #49
Why didn't Big Balls just get in the car with his significant other and drive away? gab13by13 Aug 2025 #53
From The Metropolitan Police report: sop Aug 2025 #55
Not saying you or the reporting is bullshit orangecrush Aug 2025 #56
That's a valid point. sop Aug 2025 #61
Agree orangecrush Aug 2025 #63
It looks like red tempera paint JustAnotherGen Aug 2025 #58
Karma . CentralMass Aug 2025 #60

sop

(17,480 posts)
18. You know, I get it. "Big Balls" is viewed as a villain here, rightly so for his actions while working for Musk and DOGE.
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 05:54 PM
Aug 2025

Many here are pleased "Big Balls" took a beating at 3:00AM in DC. Fine, you can enjoy a bit of payback. That's why I posted this reporting. However, maintaining a news report is "bullshit," that it didn't happen, because you don't agree with the guy's politics, is the sort of thing MAGA morons do.

EdmondDantes_

(1,391 posts)
57. So what evidence can you offer that calling this bullshit isn't unfounded?
Thu Aug 7, 2025, 07:54 AM
Aug 2025

Because so far there's been no evidence presented, just an assertion.

Chemical Bill

(3,056 posts)
44. For one thing...
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 08:03 PM
Aug 2025

do these people not know enough to get in the car at 3 AM, rather than hanging out on the street? Especially if there was a group of people approaching, or already there. Even if Mr. Small Testicles had not been out of his mother's basement before he came to DC to steal our data, oops, I mean eliminate fraud, hasn't he ever seen any movies?

And how did the story change? If he was protecting his SO, who made up the original report about him going to rescue a stranger, a woman in trouble? Was it the police? A writer or editor?

Bernardo de La Paz

(60,320 posts)
52. Yes, they are manufacturing Bullshit.
Thu Aug 7, 2025, 07:11 AM
Aug 2025

Musk is alleging a deep concussion but nobody went to hospital.

sop

(17,480 posts)
59. Big Balls Truthers?
Thu Aug 7, 2025, 08:10 AM
Aug 2025

Musk's self-serving spin on this incident is "bullshit," as is Trump's "we have to federalize DC now!" authoritarian crappola. That was the point of this posting: to enjoy a bit of schadenfreude from Big Balls beat down, and maybe discuss the stupidity coming from Trump.

However, a number of people are claiming this attack didn't even happen, that it's "fake news," a "lie," a "false flag stunt," and "bullshit." Others are saying it was a "drug deal" gone wrong, or the woman was a "prostitute." Some people always choose to believe things without any evidence or facts, others steadfastly cling to their paranoid conspiracy theories and delusions. Is that what this site has become?

Irish_Dem

(79,901 posts)
7. No one believes Big Balls rushed to save a woman in danger,
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 05:26 PM
Aug 2025

risking his life. Then getting beaten up for his bravery.

Sure.

newdeal2

(4,804 posts)
9. He put a woman into his car at 3 AM?
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 05:28 PM
Aug 2025

One wonders what they were doing out that late. Or where this woman came from (you can guess what I'm implying here).

sop

(17,480 posts)
12. From PBS:
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 05:34 PM
Aug 2025

"Coristine was assaulted around 3 a.m. Sunday in the city’s Logan Circle neighborhood by a group of teenagers attempting to carjack him and a woman whom police identified as his significant other, according to authorities."

"The Metropolitan Police Department said the group approached the couple’s car and made a comment about taking it. Coristine pushed the woman into the vehicle for safety and turned to confront the group. At least several of the teens then attacked him, police said, until officers patrolling nearby intervened. As officers moved toward the group, the teens fled on foot."

From ABC: "The victim who was assaulted was Edward Coristine, according to an incident report provided by the Metropolitan Police Department. Coristine worked under Musk at DOGE until June, when Musk left the Trump administration, sources familiar with Coristine's employment told ABC News."

"The attempted carjacking unfolded early Sunday in northwest Washington, D.C., according to a police statement. Coristine and a woman were standing next to their car on Swann Street, several blocks from Logan Circle, when they were allegedly accosted by the multiple suspects, according to police."

From The Hill: "Authorities said the 15-year-old suspects, who were charged with unarmed carjacking, were among several teens who allegedly approached the victim, Edward Coristine, and a woman police identified as his significant other near a car around 3 a.m. EDT Sunday in Washington’s Logan Circle neighborhood."

"The group allegedly made comments about taking the car, before Coristine pushed his significant other into the vehicle for safety and prepared to confront the group, according to police."

Torchlight

(6,321 posts)
11. I wonder what really happened
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 05:30 PM
Aug 2025

And for the sake of efficiency.... "what really happened!?"

ForgedCrank

(3,029 posts)
30. Keep it
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 06:21 PM
Aug 2025

up and they are going to accuse you of being MAGA. Happens every time I try to tell the truth here.
I've even had a post remove for linking a .gov court ruling as "right wing talking points".
Manufactured reality seems preferred to some.

sop

(17,480 posts)
37. It's really strange when actual events are said to be "lies," "bullshit" and "fake news" because people don't like the
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 06:43 PM
Aug 2025

victim, or Trump, or something else? Discussing the various possible scenarios involved is one thing, but steadfastly refusing to admit it even happened is just bizarre.

live love laugh

(16,204 posts)
34. Trump is using the assault as a reason to federalize DC and take away citizens' rights.
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 06:28 PM
Aug 2025

Something he’s been alluding to doing and now all of a sudden he has “just cause.”

He’s so “lucky”.

sop

(17,480 posts)
36. That was the main focus in the New York Times' story.
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 06:35 PM
Aug 2025

'Trump Threatens Federal Takeover of Washington After Member of DOGE Is Assaulted'

"President Trump shared a photograph that appeared to show a 19-year-old software engineer shirtless and bloodied, after an attempted carjacking in the capital."

Paywall article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/us/politics/trump-doge-member-assaulted.html

Trump now wants to take over DC because "Big Balls" was attacked.

yellow dahlia

(4,610 posts)
43. A little too convenient...
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 07:54 PM
Aug 2025

furthers the grifters agenda to take over DC.

Or could be something else sketchy, like a drug deal gone bad at 3 am, as posited by another DUer.

Either way - something is sketchy here.

yankee87

(2,761 posts)
26. Drug/Prositution Deal
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 06:15 PM
Aug 2025

He was out looking for a good time and screwed with the wrong people.

Walleye

(43,845 posts)
31. These damn rich right wingers think they can just flaunt their wealth
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 06:21 PM
Aug 2025

And should be able to without being bothered. I wonder what kind of car it was. Tesla? I wonder if he called them names, said or did something provocative. I remember Kristi Noem with her expensive handbag and $3000 in cash and she just left it laying on the floor.

MichMan

(16,652 posts)
41. Most all carjackings are the fault of the car owner.
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 07:21 PM
Aug 2025

If they were riding the subway, it wouldn't have happened

Walleye

(43,845 posts)
45. Well, anybody who really lives in a city knows to dress down and not show off your affluence. Don't flash the cash
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 09:37 PM
Aug 2025

Blues Heron

(8,400 posts)
51. have you ever been on the DC subway?
Thu Aug 7, 2025, 07:10 AM
Aug 2025

Its pretty sketchy too, but not as bad as 14th St at 3AM sketchy though.

VanceFan

(119 posts)
33. Phony
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 06:27 PM
Aug 2025

I think this is a false flag stunt to enable more fascism by Trump. If not, I'm glad they kicked his ass.

sop

(17,480 posts)
50. More about this "false flag stunt" from the DC Police report:
Thu Aug 7, 2025, 07:04 AM
Aug 2025

"According to a report from DC’s Metropolitan Police Department, two people were arrested in connection to the incident, described as a carjacking, between 3:01 and 4:20 am on the morning of Sunday, August 3. The location of the alleged incident is in the northwest region of Logan Circle, a well-known and relatively central area of the city."

"In addition to Coristine, the report references Emily Bryant as a second victim and describes her as Coristine’s 'significant other.' A DOGE affiliate named Emily Bryant has been linked to the Federal Trade Commission, the General Services Administration, and the Executive Office of the President."

"According to the police report, officers patrolling the area of the alleged crime 'observed a group of approximately 10 juveniles surrounding the complainants’ vehicle,' before allegedly assaulting one of the two victims."

"The report also claims that Coristine 'saw the suspects approach and make a comment about taking the vehicle.' It claims that Coristine then 'pushed' Bryant into the car. Then, according to the report, Coristine 'turned to deal with the suspects.' The suspects then began to assault [him]."

"The police claim that Coristine and Bryant were able to positively identify two of the alleged suspects. At that point, the report claims that those two subjects 'were placed under arrest for unarmed carjacking' and transported to the local 'JPC,' possibly the Juvenile Processing Center, to be processed."

"When the police officers exited their vehicle, the report claims that when the juveniles were 'observed' by the officers, they 'began fleeing on foot.' Officers were able to stop just two of the subjects."

Nictuku

(4,567 posts)
38. It is Theater (with a horrible purpose)
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 06:54 PM
Aug 2025

This happens every day somewhere in every state (where someone gets beaten up)

I thought these DOGE guys had their own security?

This 'story' totally reeks, especially if you see the way they are trying to push the 'story' with this BS:

Elon Musk, the former head of DOGE, claimed on X that “a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC,” and that “A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her.”

Either the entire thing was staged, and it is fake blood (like the ear thing), or, they are making more of a common situation (someone mouths off and gets punched in the face).

I'm saying this without seeing any photos. I don't believe it for a second, but I fear how this incident will be used to allow TSF to 'Take over DC'



Buns_of_Fire

(19,013 posts)
39. At my predicted rate of exaggeration, it'll be a gang of at least 35 by the weekend.
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 07:14 PM
Aug 2025

And he defeated 33 of them in manly hand-to-hand combat until the two 15-year-olds tripped him and he fell on his face.

Scrivener7

(58,390 posts)
40. To those saying this is fake, he definitely did get beaten up. Though I doubt he
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 07:19 PM
Aug 2025

was protecting anybody.

Walleye

(43,845 posts)
47. The woman is being described by police as his significant other not a stranger. Elon lies.
Wed Aug 6, 2025, 09:40 PM
Aug 2025

sop

(17,480 posts)
48. The DC Police report identified the woman as Emily Bryant, describing her as Coristine's "significant other."
Thu Aug 7, 2025, 06:58 AM
Aug 2025

"A DOGE affiliate named Emily Bryant has been linked to the Federal Trade Commission, the General Services Administration, and the Executive Office of the President."

gab13by13

(31,263 posts)
53. Why didn't Big Balls just get in the car with his significant other and drive away?
Thu Aug 7, 2025, 07:26 AM
Aug 2025

Is it enough evidence to charge car jacking if Big Balls claims he heard one of the teens say he/she was going to take his car? Did the gang actually try to take his car? Just asking what the law is.

sop

(17,480 posts)
55. From The Metropolitan Police report:
Thu Aug 7, 2025, 07:42 AM
Aug 2025

(Business Insider, August 6, 2025) "A key member of the Department of Government Efficiency was attacked in an attempted carjacking in Washington, DC, over the weekend, authorities said — and a newly-released police report sheds light on what the staffer said happened."

"Business Insider obtained a copy of the incident report from the Metropolitan Police Department."

"The police report says that around 3 a.m. on Sunday, MPD officers in a cruiser saw a group of about 10 young people surrounding Coristine's car and assaulting him."

"The officers quickly intervened, and the suspects started to run, according to the incident report. Police were able to stop two of them — a 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl — who they later arrested on a charge of unarmed carjacking."

"Coristine told police that the group approached him and a woman, identified in the report as his 'significant other,' and made a comment about taking the vehicle, the police report said."

" 'At that point, for her safety, he pushed his significant other' into the vehicle 'and turned to deal with the suspects,' the police report said, adding that the assailants then began to beat Coristine."

"The police report says that an iPhone 16 was stolen during the incident."

"Coristine was treated at the scene for his injuries by emergency responders, police said."

"A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department told Business Insider that its incident report is accurate and contains no errors."

orangecrush

(28,516 posts)
56. Not saying you or the reporting is bullshit
Thu Aug 7, 2025, 07:52 AM
Aug 2025

I believe Mr. Ball's version of events is utter bullshit, though.

sop

(17,480 posts)
61. That's a valid point.
Thu Aug 7, 2025, 08:22 AM
Aug 2025

Musk's version of the incident and Trump's lies about the horrible crime rate in DC were utter bullshit. But for Trump's demagoguery about federalizing DC because of all the carnage, even posting a graphic image of Big Balls bloody beat down, this would have been just another case of simple assault.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»"Big Balls" beaten and bl...