Last week in Florida, at least 34 Tesla Cybertrucks were found vandalized with graffiti that read “Fuck Elon.” The incident took place between the night of June 20 and the morning of June 21, 2024, in an open parking lot. A local TV news outlet in Fort Lauderdale reported the vandalism, which quickly went viral on social media over the weekend.
Images shared on Instagram by the account Only in Dade showed row after row of Cybertrucks with the offensive message spray-painted on the hoods and some side doors. It remains unknown who was behind the act of vandalism. The parking lot where the Cybertrucks were stored had recently been leased by Tesla. Interestingly, there were no apparent security measures such as gates or barriers to prevent unauthorized access to the vehicles.
When a reporter from NBC 6 visited the parking lot late Friday, most of the vandalized trucks had already been cleaned up or removed. The motive behind the vandalism is unclear, as it is difficult to determine without knowing the identity of the perpetrators. However, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been a controversial figure in recent years, attracting both admiration and criticism.
Elon Musk, once seen as an apolitical tech industry leader, has come under fire for his far-right beliefs and controversial statements. Musk’s social media presence, particularly on Twitter, has stirred up controversy. He has openly endorsed conspiracy theories, spread racist ideas, and associated with extremist individuals. Recently, Musk faced backlash for engaging with a far-right Twitter account that made racist claims about Black people.
Despite the vandalism and public outrage, Tesla, known for its unconventional approach to media relations, did not respond to requests for comment on the incident. It remains to be seen whether any further developments will arise in relation to the Cybertruck vandalism in Florida.
