Elon Musk Sculpture Travels From Utah to Yosemite National Park

A sculpture depicting the head of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has made a notable journey from Arches National Park in Utah to Yosemite National Park in California. The approximately 12-foot tall statue, transported on a trailer behind a white Dodge pickup, was sighted in Yosemite over the weekend, attracting attention with its accompanying signs that read, “MAKE AMERICA WAIT AGAIN” and “Now With Longer Lines Thanks to DOGE Cuts!” This artistic display appears to protest recent staffing cuts at national parks by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.

Earlier this year, the agency, which Musk departed to concentrate on his business ventures, implemented significant reductions at national parks, resulting in the layoffs of at least 1,000 employees and the offering of buyouts to many others during January and February. The Department of the Interior prohibits employees from discussing personnel matters, making it difficult to ascertain the full impact of these cuts on the National Park Service (NPS). However, research conducted by the National Parks Conservation Association indicates that the NPS currently has 24% fewer employees than it did in January.

Visitors to Yosemite have reported seeing the Musk sculpture pass iconic landmarks such as El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. One visitor, Greg Perkins, shared his experience with KQED, a media outlet based in San Francisco. Perkins captured images of the sculpture, which he posted on Reddit, garnering over a thousand up-votes before sharing them with the news organization.

The identity of the artist behind the sculpture and the individual responsible for its transport remains unknown. Yosemite is widely recognized as one of the most visited national parks in the United States, often ranking among the top ten alongside destinations like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park. Although Arches National Park does not typically make the top ten list, it is also one of the highest trafficked parks in the country.

The ongoing journey of the Elon Musk sculpture highlights a blend of art and social commentary, drawing attention to the challenges faced by national parks amid administrative changes. As the statue continues its travels, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing conversation surrounding government efficiency and its implications for public services.