A large bust of Elon Musk complete with the slogans “MAKE AMERICA WAIT AGAIN” and “Now With Longer Lines Thanks to DOGE Cuts!” was spotted on Saturday at Arches National Park in Utah.
Newsweek contacted Musk, via the Tesla and SpaceX press offices, and the National Park Service for comment on Thursday via email outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
Musk headed up the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) between January 2025, when it was established by President Donald Trump, and April, when he stepped back from the role before dramatically falling out with Trump in early June.
DOGE oversaw significant cuts to federal employment, including by the National Park Service, as it sought to reduce government spending. However critics argue it has had a negative impact for national park visitors.
The bust seen on Saturday shows there are still those who want to blame the cuts specifically on Musk, despite his recent criticism of the president over his “Big Beautiful Bill” spending package.
What To Know
The white sculpture of Musk’s head was spotted sitting on a trailer near the entrance to Arches National Park, off the U.S. 191 on Saturday
Speaking to Mormon media outlet Deseret News, Nancy Charmichael, a park visitor who photographed the bust, said it was around 12 feet tall and was moved to different points around the park during the day.
Four photographs of the bust attributed to Charmichael were shared on X by local network KSL 5 TV.
A bust of Elon Musk was seen in Arches National Park.
According to the tipster that saw it, “it was probably ten or twelve feet tall and had a self-satisfied smirk and a big sign that said, ‘Make America Wait Again’ and ‘Longer Lines Thanks to DOGE Cuts.'”
📷Nancy C pic.twitter.com/WW8qssTxsw
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) July 14, 2025
The sculpture was mounted on a flatbed trailer being pulled by a white Dodge pickup, with a wooden perimeter around Musk’s head and the slogans written on a board in front of his face.
Speaking to Business Insider, Karen Henker, an acting public affairs specialist for Arches National Park, said “lines to get into Arches are very common and have been for years.” She added that lines to get into the park have not been longer in 2025 than in previous years.
Robert Alexander/GETTY
According to the campaign group National Parks Conservation Association, 24 percent of the National Parks Service’s permanent employees have lost their jobs since January.
On Tuesday a House subcommittee marked up the 2026 fiscal bill for the Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies. The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, an advocacy group, said this will cut the National Park Service’s budget by $176 million.
What People Are Saying
Discussing the bust with Deseret News Charmichael said: “I think everyone thought it was kind of cool. I don’t think anyone was upset. Maybe it was meant to be a serious thing, but personally, I just thought it was funny and something you don’t see every day.”
In a statement earlier this month the National Parks Conservation Association said: “The park staff who remain are being asked to do more with less, and it’s simply not sustainable.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen if Saturday’s bust sighing will be a one off or if the Musk sculpture will make further appearances, either at Arches National Park or other sites.
