In a shocking turn of events, two Tesla Cybertruck owners who participated in a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans were left distraught after their vehicles were vandalized by members of the crowd. The incident occurred while they were participating in the Orpheus parade on March 23, 2025, carrying parade marshals, according to Business Insider.
One of the Tesla Cybertruck owners, Joshua Hazel, described the experience as "aggressive," "hateful," and "violent." Initially, he and his group of Tesla owners were thrilled to showcase their Cybertrucks adorned with American flags and custom wraps during the festive celebration. However, as they progressed deeper into the parade route, a segment of the crowd turned hostile, subjecting the vehicles to harassment and vandalism.
Mr. Hazel vividly recounted the moment when he saw someone sprinting toward his Cybertruck, aggressively hurling a handful of thick Mardi Gras beads, striking his wife on the head. The impact left her shaken, resulting in significant damage to the vehicle, including a smashed glass panel covering the truck's camera area.
Meanwhile, Christina, another Cybertruck owner, faced a similar fate. Her vehicle sustained major damage as a group of individuals "pummeled" it with a heavy, unidentified object. In the aftermath of the attacks, both Mr. Hazel and Ms. Christina sought assistance from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) to report the vandalism.
The financial implications of the incident are substantial. Mr. Hazel estimates that repairing the shattered glass rim on his Cybertruck will cost around $360, while redoing the aftermarket wrap will add another $7,000 to the bill. Ms. Christina has already incurred significant expenses, having spent over $2,000 to replace her Cybertruck's broken top glass, with further costs looming for repairing the damaged wrap.
Notably, this incident is part of a disturbing trend of attacks on Tesla facilities and vehicles across the United States. Just days before the Mardi Gras parade, multiple Tesla vehicles were set on fire and shot at a service center in Las Vegas. Reports from CNN indicated that at least five vehicles suffered damage, two of which were fully engulfed in flames. The assailant employed Molotov cocktails and fired gunshots at the vehicles, prompting the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to collaborate on identifying the perpetrator.
The trend of hostility against Tesla continues to gain attention, with voices from various sectors condemning these acts. President Trump, in response to the recent events, suggested that such attacks should be classified as domestic terrorism, emphasizing the severity of these actions against private property and individuals.
As investigations into both incidents progress, it raises significant concerns regarding safety for Tesla owners and participants in public events. The continuing pattern of aggression not only threatens individual property but also disrupts community cohesion during celebratory occasions like Mardi Gras.
Ultimately, as the owners of the vandalized Cybertrucks navigate the expensive aftermath of these harrowing experiences, questions linger about the roots of such hostility and how communities can safeguard against these unsettling trends in violence. The incidents serve as a reminder of the broader societal issues at play and the need for vigilance and accountability in public spaces.
