Musk's Tesla Cybertruck is a culture war on four wheels
The Independent|September 23, 2024
Dubbed the Magamobile’ and Deplorean’, it may be the best thing ever to happen to electric vehicles, but not for the reason Elon Musk wants, writes Anthony Cuthbertson
Anthony Cuthbertson
Musk's Tesla Cybertruck is a culture war on four wheels

On Christmas Day last year, while other political leaders were posting messages of peace and prosperity, Donald Trump took to his own Truth Social app to go on a festive rant against all that he thought was wrong with the world. Among those on his list were the "evil and 'sick' THUGS" pushing for "electric car lunacy" in the US. "MAY THEY ROT IN HELL," he wrote.

"AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Less than nine months later, and just two months away from the presidential elections, the Republican candidate is now publicly proclaiming his love for the technology. “I’m for electric cars,” he told supporters at a rally in Georgia last month. “I have to be because Elon [Musk] endorsed me very strongly.”

This sudden shift in sentiment was cemented when he was presented with a brand new Tesla Cybertruck, gifted to him by the controversial streamer Adin Ross. Emblazoned with his “Make America Great Again” slogan on the bonnet, the electric truck featured an image on the doors of Trump with his fist raised shortly after July’s assassination attempt. Trump appeared enthralled. “That is beautiful,” he said. “I think it’s incredible.”

While it wasn’t clear whether he was talking about the truck or the wrap, Trump’s pivot follows a broader trend of Republicans and those on the right shifting their allegiance to Elon Musk and his assorted companies. Having been a champion for environmentalists after supercharging the transition to electric vehicles, Musk has since staked his ideological flag in the Maga camp, pushing far-right conspiracies and radicalising himself on his own platform.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 23, 2024 من The Independent.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 23, 2024 من The Independent.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE INDEPENDENT مشاهدة الكل
Why Is Starmer So Against An EU Youth Travel Scheme?
The Independent

Why Is Starmer So Against An EU Youth Travel Scheme?

The prime minister has once again been urged to agree to a limited scheme to allow young people to travel freely between the UK and the EU for the purposes of work or study, and has once again signalled his refusal to consider it.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2024
Why home advantage has lost its sting in Test series.
The Independent

Why home advantage has lost its sting in Test series.

“The tour is only a matter of hours old, but the wry thought occurs to me that reputations will almost certainly be destroyed in the next few months.”

time-read
4 mins  |
November 28, 2024
North can't compete with south's individual X factor
The Independent

North can't compete with south's individual X factor

Ex-Lions captain Sam Warburton has a theory why southern hemisphere teams have dominated the autumn internationals

time-read
4 mins  |
November 28, 2024
Aimless Villa stagger to bore draw against Juventus
The Independent

Aimless Villa stagger to bore draw against Juventus

Aston Villa and Unai Emery have run out of ideas, far too early in the Spaniard’s previously exhilarating revolution.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 28, 2024
Reds humble Real and Slot does what Klopp could not
The Independent

Reds humble Real and Slot does what Klopp could not

A few weeks ago, it was possible to look at Arne Slot’s seemingly impressive start at Liverpool, adopt a sceptical tone and ask who they had really beaten.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 28, 2024
Vauxhall's closure shows No 10 must recharge EV rules
The Independent

Vauxhall's closure shows No 10 must recharge EV rules

Electric vehicles aren't selling in the volume anticipated and James Moore says government is right to order a swift review

time-read
3 mins  |
November 28, 2024
Nationwide banks £2bn in takeover of Virgin Money
The Independent

Nationwide banks £2bn in takeover of Virgin Money

Nationwide has gained £2.3bn following its acquisition of Virgin Money, according to the firm’s half-year results.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
Red Sea boat survivors were trapped in cabins, says diver
The Independent

Red Sea boat survivors were trapped in cabins, says diver

Two Britons who were on the yacht remain unaccounted for

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2024
Record snowfall leaves Seoul scrambling to cope
The Independent

Record snowfall leaves Seoul scrambling to cope

Transport chaos and power cuts hit city as two die on roads

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
Myanmar junta chief faces crimes against humanity charge for Rohingya deaths
The Independent

Myanmar junta chief faces crimes against humanity charge for Rohingya deaths

Arrest warrant requested by International Criminal Court

time-read
3 mins  |
November 28, 2024