Tesla’s Cybertruck has become a focal point of political and cultural debate, with owners reporting increased scrutiny and, in some cases, outright hostility over their vehicle choice. While electric vehicles (EVs) were once broadly associated with progressive environmental policies, the Cybertruck’s design, marketing, and association with Tesla CEO Elon Musk have led to a shifting perception—particularly among conservative consumers.
Rodney Best, a 71-year-old Cybertruck owner from Florida, has noticed the change firsthand. Best, who has previously owned Cadillacs, BMWs, and Corvettes, said his new stainless steel Tesla draws more attention than any other car he has driven. While many are curious, others have been openly hostile, sometimes giving him obscene gestures while he drives. Despite this, Best remains enthusiastic about his purchase.
“Drive it and you’ll never go back,” he said. “Until you drive it, you’ll never know. It just makes sense to me, the fact that it’s Elon Musk designing it, because he’s so smart, and it’s got all these safety features.”
Reports of backlash against Tesla and its customers have been increasing. On Friday, federal agents announced an investigation into vandalism at a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado. According to authorities, the dealership had its windows smashed, Cybertruck windshields painted with large red Xs, and an attempt was made to start a fire. Local media reported that the phrase “Nazi Cars” was painted at the scene, marking the third attack on the dealership this year.
The “Anonymous” account posted this video of a fleet of vandalized Cybertrucks without context. Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/2pf4IfRk0f
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) December 20, 2024
The Cybertruck has entered the broader political conversation at a time when Musk’s influence has grown beyond the business world. A longtime advocate for electric vehicles, Musk has become increasingly outspoken on political and cultural issues, drawing criticism from some on the left. At the same time, Tesla’s latest vehicle has found a growing customer base in conservative-leaning states such as Texas and Florida.
S&P Global Mobility data shows Cybertruck registrations have surged in Republican strongholds. Musk’s positioning of the truck as a high-powered, rugged alternative to early EVs—which were often smaller and marketed toward urban drivers—has helped shift its appeal. With a bullet-resistant stainless steel body and enough towing capacity to haul a 30-foot boat, the Cybertruck has been promoted as a vehicle designed for durability and strength.
While electric vehicle ownership has historically skewed toward Democratic voters, trends are beginning to change. A 2024 study by AutoPacific, an automotive industry research firm, found that while over half of EV owners still identify as Democrats, 30% are now Republicans. AutoPacific suggested Musk’s growing political presence may be influencing these numbers.
“Our analyses of EV owners over the years have clearly shown a correlation between more left-leaning political views and EV early adopters,” AutoPacific Director of Marketing and Consumer Insights Deborah Grieb said. “But as EVs continue to expand across brands, vehicle types, and price ranges, that association is showing signs of fading.”
Things like this need to be shared so the people that commit these reckless behaviors don’t get get away with it.
This happened to @Texas3dprinting in Texas for just driving his Cybertruck peacefully. There was no contact with the Dodge Ram before this incident. pic.twitter.com/43TQr57cDZ
— Nic Cruz Patane (@niccruzpatane) February 3, 2025
Despite its strong presence in political discourse, the Cybertruck remains a niche vehicle. S&P Global Mobility analyst Tom Libby noted that Tesla is registering only about 3,000 to 4,000 Cybertrucks per month, with around 35,000 currently on the road nationwide.
“It’s an extremely unique, extremely polarizing vehicle,” Libby said. “It’s the other end of the spectrum from the Toyota Camry, which is designed to offend nobody at all.”
While Cybertruck registrations have slowed in recent months, Tesla remains the dominant EV manufacturer in the United States, accounting for roughly half the market share. In 2024 alone, more than 550,000 Tesla vehicles were registered across the country.
The landscape of EV adoption continues to evolve as more traditional automakers enter the market. Expensive models such as the Cybertruck, Rivian’s R1 series, the Ford F-150 Lightning, and GMC’s Hummer EV are reshaping perceptions of battery-powered vehicles. Whitney Yates Woods, a Phoenix-area car dealership owner, noted that many customers now approach EV purchases differently than in past years.
“At first, it was definitely a status car, athletes and famous people getting them,” Woods said. “Now, people are coming in not necessarily wanting to make a statement. They just want a good truck. They’re surprised at how nice they are.”
Best, the Florida Cybertruck owner, said he was drawn to Tesla’s advanced technology and engineering. His truck is equipped with the company’s “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” mode, which allows the vehicle to navigate streets autonomously. He also appreciates Tesla’s ability to update software remotely, improving performance over time.
“I’ll never buy a gas engine ever again,” Best said. “Electric motors are just better. And Elon Musk, I don’t know why anybody would not want to follow someone so smart.”
