By Charles Switzer
3:59am PDT, Mar 9, 2025
Growing Backlash Against Elon Musk Spills Onto the Streets
As public sentiment against
Elon Musk intensifies,
Tesla Cybertrucks have become an unexpected target of hostility. Across the United States, reports indicate that Cybertrucks are being booed, defaced and ridiculed, with many viewing them as a symbol of Musk's influence.
The controversy has even spread to other Tesla vehicles, with non-Cybertruck owners experiencing backlash simply for driving a car associated with Musk.
Here's what's happening…
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Tesla Owners Facing Harassment
According to
CNN, Tesla owners report increasing incidents of public hostility, with some facing direct acts of vandalism and verbal abuse.
Steven Minnick, a Tesla driver, recounted an incident where individuals in a Subaru performed a Nazi salute toward him, seemingly linking Tesla ownership to far-right ideologies.
In another encounter, Minnick found crude images drawn on his car, further illustrating the growing tension. "I didn't do anything, I just own the car."
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Musk's Behavior Driving Tesla Owners to Sell
For some former Tesla enthusiasts, Musk's controversial public statements and political stances have become deal-breakers.
Jennifer Vargas, a former Tesla owner, said she sold her car solely because of Musk's behavior.
"I love the car, I like everything about it, but it was just his name being attached to it that became the issue," she explained.
Vargas represents a segment of former
Tesla customers who, despite enjoying the vehicles, no longer want to be associated with the brand due to Musk's influence.
Social Media Reactions
The backlash against Tesla owners has ignited debate online, with many defending drivers who feel unfairly targeted.
One X user posted, "I h*** Musk, but vandalizing someone's car just because it's a Tesla? That's ridiculous."
Others see the trend as a form of justified protest, with another user writing, "Musk made Tesla political. He can't be surprised that people don't want to be associated with him anymore."
Meanwhile, Tesla supporters have lashed out at critics, calling the backlash "irrational hatred."
The Future of Tesla in a Polarized Landscape
With Musk's polarizing presence at the center of the debate, Tesla's future as a brand remains uncertain. While the company continues to sell vehicles, its reputation is increasingly tied to Musk's personal brand.
Whether this backlash will have a lasting impact on Tesla's market share remains to be seen, but for now, owning a Tesla — particularly a Cybertruck — has become more than just a consumer choice — it's a political statement.
