The Tesla Cybertruck was one of the most exciting cars of the day when Tesla introduced it in the before times of 2019. It was totally new. It didn’t really look like anything else, for better or for worse, but was still a welcome change to the stagnant state of auto design. However, the Cybertruck now represents something altogether different: Elon Musk’s politics.
The Cybertruck and its owners are experiencing significant backlash, largely due to CEO Elon Musk’s increasing political involvement. For many early adopters, the Cybertruck was not just an all-electric vehicle; it was a cutting-edge, stainless-steel automotive protrusion that embodied a daring vision for the future and, more recently, fealty to Musk. However, for some owners, the reality of driving this highly distinctive vehicle has become fraught with unintended and undeserved consequences of someone else’s behavior.
Cybertruck Drama Isn’t Cute Anymore
Kumait Jaroje is a Cybertruck owner who purchased his vehicle in 2024 for business use. He is now one of many experiencing the downside of owning the truck. According to Newsweek, Jaroje said he was initially drawn to the vehicle for its utility and electric efficiency. It didn’t take long before he found himself facing public backlash. As Musk’s political affiliations grew more aggressive—particularly his financial support for right-wing causes and endorsements of controversial figures like Donald Trump—Jaroje’s once simple transportation choice became a political symbol.
He describes the shift from casual comments about his vehicle’s design to overt harassment, including middle fingers, insults, and even the application of hateful graffiti on his truck. This personal conflict illustrates how the Cybertruck has inadvertently transformed from a symbol of a significant design shift into a controversial political statement in a hyper-polarized America. Jaroje isn’t the only one whose Tesla has been targeted.
Even Tesla Doesn’t Want Its Cybertrucks Back
The cultural fallout has extended beyond individual experiences, with incidents of vandalism, including swastika graffiti on Cybertrucks, becoming widespread. Dealerships and Tesla showrooms have also faced protests and targeted actions. Despite the rising tide of discontent, Tesla has shown little willingness to resolve the issue, with some owners, like Jaroje, unable to trade in their Cybertrucks due to the company’s refusal to accept them. As a result, some owners have even resorted to disguising their vehicles with stickers or swapping out Tesla logos in an attempt to avoid association with Musk’s political stances—but this truck, in particular, is hard to hide.
The economic impact of this controversy is also significant. The resale value of the Cybertruck, once hyped as a symbol of status and cutting-edge technology, has plummeted. Secondary market prices have dropped by tens of thousands of dollars, and many owners are left with vehicles they can no longer sell at anything near the original price. For some owners, who purchased their Cybertruck for well over MSRP at auction if they didn’t reserve one years ago, the resale value drop is a particularly brutal hit.
This decline in resale value has contributed to a growing sense of regret among early adopters who feel trapped by their investment in a vehicle that has become a bit of a political lightning rod.
It’s Not Just Cybertrucks Catching Heat
Tesla’s broader brand image has suffered as well, with its stock value and market share taking hits globally. According to various valuation reports, Tesla’s brand value dropped by 26 percent year-over-year, in part due to Musk’s increasingly political actions. In Europe, Tesla has seen a dramatic decline in sales, with registrations falling by as much as 75 percent in some countries.
Tesla’s brand loyalty remains relatively high in the U.S., but its recommendation score has plummeted, reflecting a growing sense of disillusionment among potential new customers. Musk’s behavior, including his support for far-right movements and his controversial use of social media, has further alienated potential buyers, particularly in markets like Germany, France, and the U.K., where his actions have been met with public protests and backlash.
TopSpeed’s Take
The Tesla Cybertruck used to be a symbol of innovation and the reintroduction of “fun” to the auto design space. Now it’s sunk deeply into the pit controversy due to Elon Musk’s political meddling. While the vehicle itself remains an interesting experiment in automotive design (if not execution), the broader cultural and political connotations surrounding it have led to a growing stain on the model and brand. Tesla, facing mounting challenges both in terms of sales and public perception, should be interesting to watch to see how the company navigates the political fallout of its CEO’s actions.
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