Elon Musk has always aimed for the Cybertruck to be the talk of the town. Over the weekend, he certainly got his wish, albeit not in the manner he expected. A bizarre video went viral, leading Tesla—known for its lack of a public relations arm—to take the unusual step of issuing a public denial.
This incident underscores the Cybertruck’s uneasy status. It’s a vehicle that polarizes opinions and is constantly hyped by its creator, thus attracting both controversy and, now, viral rumors.
The Viral Hoax
The uproar began on Sunday when an Instagram user named “bighuey313” shared a dramatic video from the driver’s seat of his allegedly stranded Cybertruck.
“Wtf I’m in the middle of traffic, bro,” he exclaimed, panning the camera to reveal a dashboard message: “Tesla Cybertruck De-Activated. Critical Issue Detected | Contact Customer Service, Comply with Cease & Desist to Re-Activate.”
“Everything is locked. Cybertruck deactivated,” he continued. “I can’t move the car, bro, I’m stranded as f**k.”
In a follow-up post, he showed a supposed “cease and desist” letter from Tesla, alleging the company had taken legal action against him for composing a song titled “Cybertruck.” The implication was unsettling: Tesla had allegedly incapacitated his vehicle due to a petty legal matter.
He also claims Tesla sent him a cease and desist letter because he made a song titled Cybertruck or something like that.
That’s why the error message in the video mentions a cease and desist. pic.twitter.com/1zdtGApEfj
— Jeremy Judkins (@jeremyjudkins_) August 11, 2025
The video took off across social media platforms. However, sharp-eyed users soon pointed out discrepancies, including that the letter’s signature was from a Tesla lawyer who no longer held that title.
Tesla’s Rare Denial
The uproar escalated to the point that on Monday, Tesla’s official account on X issued a rare and clear denial.
“This is fake – that’s not our screen,” Tesla tweeted. “Tesla does NOT disable vehicles remotely.”
This is fake – that’s not our screen.
Tesla does NOT disable vehicles remotely. https://t.co/QFOLG74AJI
— Tesla (@Tesla) August 11, 2025
Why This Hoax Stuck
The necessity for Tesla to respond speaks volumes about the Cybertruck’s tarnished reputation. As previously highlighted by Gizmodo, this futuristic pickup has struggled in the marketplace. Sales of new vehicles plummeted by over 50% in the last quarter, and the resale value has dropped by more than 30% in the used car market.
This underperformance starkly contrasts the relentless promotion from Musk, who has described the truck as “apocalypse-level safe” and “built bullet tough.” Such a mix of significant hype and real-world struggles makes the Cybertruck an easy target for scorn. The idea that a powerful corporation could remotely disable a customer’s vehicle resonates deeply with skeptics of electric vehicles.
For Tesla, the stakes are high. While a last-minute surge for expiring EV tax credits has provided a temporary boost in sales, the long-term future of the Cybertruck remains uncertain. A viral rumor about a remote “kill switch” is the last thing a brand facing challenges needs. The entire narrative highlights how culturally significant the Cybertruck has become, with Tesla continuously finding itself in damage control mode.
For a vehicle already fighting to win over buyers and increasingly perceived as a commercial failure, even a fictional viral rumor can significantly harm its reputation.
What led to the Cybertruck’s controversial status in the market?
The Cybertruck’s distinctive design and Musk’s ambitious claims have created high expectations, but the vehicle’s real-world performance hasn’t met that hype, attracting skepticism.
Can Tesla really disable vehicles remotely?
No, Tesla confirmed in its recent statement that it does not have the capability to remotely disable vehicles, debunking the viral hoax.
How did social media play a role in spreading the rumor about the Cybertruck?
The rapid shareability of content on platforms like Instagram and Twitter allowed a sensational video to gain traction quickly, with users amplifying the narrative before verifying the facts.
What are the sales trends for the Cybertruck?
The Cybertruck’s new vehicle sales have dropped over 50% in recent months, and its resale value has fallen by more than 30%, indicating consumer hesitance.
As a potential buyer or enthusiast, staying informed about the Cybertruck’s evolving narrative can help you make educated decisions. Don’t miss out on related content on electric vehicles and market trends—check out Moyens I/O for more insights.