‘Make America Wait Again’ Giant Elon Head Seen at Arches NP Highlighting DOGE and Trump Cuts to National Park Service
Visitors to Arches National Park in Southern Utah come for the unique natural landscapes. What they weren’t expecting to see last weekend was a giant Elon Musk head being pulled on a trailer throughout the national park.
The 10-12 foot head, as estimated by Nancy C., who sent in photos and alerted me of this, also had ‘Make America Wait Again’ and ‘Now with Longer Lines Thanks to Doge’ under the head. She added that, “people seemed generally amused by it.” (I’d tend to agree, as anyone’s massive head being shuttled around a national park would bring about chuckles. )
Related: National Park Service sets record for visitation. See the most visited national parks.
It was also “sweltering hot” this weekend, Nancy said, with long lines throughout the park. Arches, with one way in and one way out, is known for having long lines and has implemented timed entry permits to help quell the road congestion.
However, the Timed Entry Permits are not currently in effect at the park. From July 8 to August 27, the park has no limits or proactive measures in place to control crowds. Why this is the case, I’m not sure, but that 100% added to the long lines.
The long lines surely make visitors wonder if they are due to the cuts to staff and funding, thanks to DOGE, Elon Musk, President Donald Trump, and Republicans in Congress.
DOGE Cuts to the National Park Service
I’ll be honest. DOGE was so fast, unorganized, and inept that I honestly have no idea the full effects of their cuts to the National Park Service. Much of it is still being contested in the courts. But this is what we do know. Much of the effects are still likely unknown.
- Tried to fire 1,000 NPS workers, including three at Arches National Park
- The National Park Service has lost 24% of its permanent staff, according to an NPCA report
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Trump’s Big Beautiful Bil Cuts Funding to NPS
The massive bill that Trump just signed, which adds three-plus trillion dollars to the national debt thanks to giving more tax breaks to billionaires, also affects the NPS by:
- Clawing back $267 million of previously committed funding for national park staff, according to TIME
In addition, the Trump Administration’s FY26 budget proposes a more than four billion dollar cut to “national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, wilderness and recreation areas, and more.” That includes $1.2 billion in cuts to the NPS, which would be the “largest cut to the National Park Service in its 109 year history,” according to the Center for American Progress.
These cuts could result in 5,000 job losses and a 31% staffing reduction, according to the NCPA.
“Operational funding would see a 31% reduction. Facility operations would be reduced. Resource stewardship would be reduced tremendously,” Bob Krumenaker, a retired national parks superintendent, told TIME. “What people don’t understand is that the National Park System returns a lot of money to the American economy… so in the guise of saving money and being efficient, it couldn’t be more wrong.”
What This Means for Visitors & Parks Going Forward
- Reduced ranger staff: Fewer personnel on patrol means slower emergency response times, less oversight in backcountry areas, and strained visitor services.
- Cut maintenance & preservation: Ongoing work on trails, historic sites, and park infrastructure may be delayed or canceled.
- Decline in program quality: Interpretive programs, community outreach, and educational initiatives may suffer or be eliminated.
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What you can do
If you don’t like what is happening to public lands and the National Park Service, contact your local representative, register to vote AND vote against Republicans threatening our lands (it’s a fact that no one in the Democratic Party supports this), or run for office yourself to unseat those doing harm to our public lands.
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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