The Tesla Cybertruck is often referred to as “America’s most hated car.” When I rented one for a day in Washington D.C., I experienced firsthand the intense reactions it elicits. On my first drive, I was confronted by multiple people who expressed their disdain for the vehicle and its owner, Elon Musk.
As I drove through the city, I noticed that people were not just upset with the car itself but also with Musk’s past role in Donald Trump’s administration. The reactions ranged from mild annoyance to full-blown hostility, with some even resorting to insults and threatening behavior.
During my drive, I stopped at a farmers’ market where locals shunned me due to the Cybertruck. A bicyclist yelled at me from behind his handlebars, while a woman eating brunch gave me the middle finger for over 20 seconds without breaking her conversation. Even at red lights, people would mock and laugh at me.
The events of that day left me with a mixed feeling – I was trying to document my experience as a journalistic experiment, but it also made me wonder if some people’s reactions were truly justified. The Cybertruck has become a lightning rod for controversy, and its impact extends beyond the car itself, raising questions about free speech and tolerance in modern society.
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/03/cybertruck-washington-dc/682232