When you think Mardi Gras, you probably picture a parade of colorful floats, beads flying through the air, and revelers dancing in the streets. But this year’s celebration in New Orleans had an unexpected twist thanks to a handful of shiny Tesla Cybertrucks that quickly became the most unpopular ride in the parade.
The Krewe of Orpheus, known for its diverse and inclusive vibe, rolled out with more than 1,000 riders on Lundi Gras, led by none other than drag legend Bianca Del Rio. However, the introduction of four Tesla Cybertrucks between floats didn’t exactly win over the crowd. In fact, the trucks got a brutal reception, with paradegoers pelting them with beads, insults, and, most dramatically, eggs, rocks, and kicks.
One rider inside the convoy didn’t mince words when he described the chaos. “We’re getting beat to s**t by certain people throwing stuff, jumping on the car, kicking the car, hitting the car,” he told a sheriff’s deputy in a now-viral video. “They’re killing us out here.” By the time the Cybertrucks were escorted off the parade route, one had a shattered window, and the others were visibly rattled, with at least three leaving early.
The source of the backlash seems to stem from a growing political discontent linked to Tesla’s controversial owner, Elon Musk. His close ties to former President Donald Trump, including his outspoken attacks on liberal policies, have led to mounting opposition among left-leaning communities, and New Orleans, a notably blue city, wasn’t having any of it. “I’m sure to some disappointed few, my Cybertruck was not damaged at all. It’s bulletproof btw. The glass sure can be broken,” one of the drivers wrote on social media, calling the experience “more about chaos and hatred under the false flag we hate Elon.” He also expressed regret over the aggressive reception, adding that it was “sadly” reflective of his home state’s political climate.
Reddit users, as usual, weighed in with their own colorful takes. One user, reflecting on the economy, quipped, “I remember when eggs were cheap enough to be the weapon of choice. Another user joked, “And if you get a golden retriever partner good rocks are in endless supply.”
The Orpheus organizers have yet to comment on the incident, and local authorities haven’t made any statements about the extent of the damage. But clearly Tesla Cybertruck’s debut at Mardi Gras didn’t go as smoothly as its bulletproof windows might suggest. One amusing Reddit quote summed it up perfectly: “I thought Tesla was supposed to be ‘bulletproof’—guess no one warned them about the ‘mob mentality.”
Whether the electric vehicle gets a warmer reception next year (or a second round of pelting) remains to be seen. For now, it seems Elon Musk’s futuristic trucks might need to stay off the parade routes… at least until the political climate cools down. Or until someone figures out how to make egg-throwing fashionable again.
