Tesla Cybertruck Gets Brutal Reception at Mardi Gras as Crowd Booed, Pelted It With Beads

The Tesla Cybertruck remains in the headlines, but for reasons Elon Musk would not welcome. Just recently, authorities probed a fatal crash involving an electric pickup truck. This made them question if its safety features underwent extreme tests.

Amid repeated recalls and criticism, the highly visible electric truck was subjected to a surprise surge of public hatred at Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

A viral video recorded the crowd mercilessly booing the sleek vehicle, reiterating the building sentiment of anger against Musk and his company.

Mardi Gras Crowd Unleashes Fury on Tesla's Cybertruck

Tesla Cybertruck Gets Brutal Reception at Mardi Gras—Booed, Pelted With

On the Krewe of Orpheus parade on Lundi Gras, a day before the big Mardi Gras celebration, a Cybertruck drove down New Orleans streets, only to be greeted by boisterous jeers from the crowd. The video, now going viral online, captures a whole parade crowd coming together in disapproval, releasing a long series of boos.

Based on social media and Reddit reports, things escalated to more than just vocal discontent. Witnesses supposedly threw Mardi Gras beads at the truck, with some reports claiming one of the windows even cracked under the attack. This runs contrary to Tesla's assertions of essentially indestructible windows, which is just one more controversy on the already dubious reputation of the vehicle.

Why Is the Cybertruck Getting So Much Hate?

According to Mashable, Tesla's Cybertruck has been a polarizing car since its introduction. While some enthusiasts appreciate its striking, experimental styling, others consider it a representation of Musk's divisive leadership in the tech and automotive worlds.

Recently, the automaker has weathered surges of bad publicity, from product recalls to quality control concerns.

In December, the Cybertruck production was suspended. While it's bad news for Musk, it's good news for those who despise it.

Tesla owners who own Cybertrucks have moved to the Internet forums and exchanged stories about people mocking them out on the highway and on the streets.

With its sharp styling, it's an easy subject, and to many, the truck symbolizes more than the electric truck: it's a mobile representation of Musk's character, one which still triggers emotional responses.

The Expanding Backlash Against Tesla and Musk

Public opinion of Elon Musk has changed enormously in recent times. Although he was once popularly hailed as a visionary entrepreneur, his growingly contentious statements, management decisions, and Twitter antics have disenfranchised a large percentage of the population.

From Tesla's mass layoffs to the bungling of Twitter (now X), Musk has built a persona that makes many uncomfortable. Consequently, even Tesla's most aspirational projects, such as the Cybertruck, are caught in the firing line of public anger.

In July 2024, climate activists vandalized the Tesla Cybertruck displayed for a presentation. According to them, Tesla consumed a huge amount of energy, indicating that Elon only cares for the "senseless" use of energy. They also criticized its design as "hazardous" to passengers and pedestrians.

Will Tesla Overcome the Controversy?

Despite the criticism, Tesla is still a leading player in the electric vehicle segment. The Cybertruck, with all its negatives, still has a devoted fan base clamoring for deliveries.

However, the Mardi Gras fiasco should remind Tesla that it should still listen to people's sentiments.