Cybertruck Carnage: Mardi Gras Mob Turns on Texas Tesla, Glass Chipped Amidst Bead Barrage
The vibrant revelry of Mardi Gras took a decidedly sour turn for at least one out-of-state participant this year. An eye-catching orange Cybertruck, sporting Texas license plate DUMPST5R, became an unexpected target of parade-goers during the Krewe of Orpheus procession Monday night. What began as a presumably celebratory appearance quickly devolved into a harrowing experience for the vehicle and its occupants, forcing an early exit from the iconic New Orleans event.
The Cybertruck in question belongs to winespring, a blogger recognized for her culinary explorations within the fictional universe of the Wheel of Time series, and MrMoonBound, whose online presence links to a detailed guide for the classic Super Nintendo game Earthbound. The couple, who enthusiastically documented their journey via livestream on X, found themselves caught in a maelstrom of boos, jeers, and, most significantly, a relentless barrage of beads and other thrown objects.
The livestream footage, clocking in at over three hours, paints a vivid picture of the escalating tension within the Cybertruck. While winespring and MrMoonBound initially attempted to maintain a lighthearted demeanor, joking and engaging in conversation, the constant thud of beads against the vehicle’s futuristic exterior grew increasingly disconcerting. The relentless assault chipped the Cybertruck’s glass, causing significant damage.
The sounds of beads ricocheting off the vehicle created a cacophony that was only partially muffled by the Cybertruck’s presumably advanced sound dampening technology. The initial excitement of participating in the parade clearly waned as the reality of the situation sunk in. It wasn’t long before the occupants began discussing contingency plans, including the possibility of being pulled from the parade route entirely.
"I’m just keeping everyone posted," a voice can be heard saying on the livestream around the two-hour mark. "They’re talking about pulling all of the trucks off, for everyone’s safety and the safety of the vehicle…as soon as I get the call I’m going to find the nearest cop…and we’ll get out."
The call eventually came, and the decision was made to seek an exit from the parade route. However, even this proved to be a challenge. As the Cybertruck attempted to maneuver through the throngs of revelers, it was met with continued hostility.
The livestream captured the moment the Cybertruck driver signaled to nearby police officers, attempting to explain the situation. "We put out a call with state police. Is there any way we could move that barricade?" the person in the truck asks, the sound of beads striking the vehicle providing an unsettling backdrop to the conversation.
The officers, seemingly taken aback by the request, appeared confused and perhaps even skeptical. The Cybertruck occupants were insistent, however, relaying the extent of the abuse the vehicle was enduring. "We need to get off the route," the person in the Tesla implored. "We’re getting beat to shit by people throwing stuff, jumping on the car, kicking the car, hitting the car."
Eventually, the police facilitated the Cybertruck’s exit from the parade route. As the vehicle pulled away, the jeers and boos from the crowd intensified, and a heavier projectile audibly struck the windshield. The disheartening turn of events clearly impacted winespring, who expressed her disappointment, stating, "We were so excited when we were asked to do this. Because we love New Orleans."
Back inside the Cybertruck, the atmosphere remained tense as the bead bombardment continued. winespring attempted to lighten the mood, referencing previous incidents involving Teslas. "We’ve seen John from Silicon Valley Tesla owners step on his windshield. We’ve seen a bomb go off inside of one. We’re OK," she said.
However, not everyone shared her optimism. One male passenger declared, "I’m about to pull the medical emergency card here. We’ve gotta go." Another added, "I would imagine, eventually, the glass is gonna start breaking. If it already hasn’t."
Finally, the group managed to find a relatively quiet spot to assess the damage. The Cybertruck was covered in beads, with the trunk overflowing with the colorful projectiles. While the orange wrap appeared to be intact, the glass was not so fortunate. A visible divot marred the rear windshield. "Looks like we might have some broken glass…broken glass, that’s sad," winespring lamented. "Hopefully everyone else is OK…well that was the Orpheus parade."
This incident is not an isolated occurrence. It seems to reflect a broader trend of animosity towards Tesla vehicles, potentially fueled by public perception of Elon Musk and his increasingly controversial stances.
The article goes on to mention that the animosity directed at Tesla vehicles is not confined to New Orleans. Across the globe, and particularly in the United States and Europe, incidents of vandalism and even arson targeting Tesla vehicles and facilities have been on the rise.
In France, a Tesla showroom was recently engulfed in flames, resulting in the destruction of 12 vehicles and an estimated $700,000 in damages. In Littleton, Massachusetts, a Tesla charging station was set on fire. In Oregon, a Tesla dealership was targeted with gunfire and arson.
The Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado, has been subjected to repeated attacks, including molotov cocktail attacks on Cybertrucks and spray-painted graffiti. Police have made an arrest in connection with these incidents.
Beyond physical attacks, Tesla showrooms have also become the sites of less violent, but still disruptive, protests. It appears that an anti-Musk sentiment is permeating society, and Tesla vehicles are becoming a tangible symbol of that sentiment.
This string of incidents suggests that the animosity towards Musk and his companies is translating into real-world consequences for Tesla owners and businesses. As Musk continues to engage in politically charged commentary and actions, it appears that the attacks on his company’s vehicles may continue to escalate. The Mardi Gras incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks faced by those associated with the Tesla brand in the current socio-political climate.
