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You’ve seen the viral videos of "Cyber-hate," but one owner’s experience eating pizza in his frunk reveals a surprising truth about what real people actually think of the controversial truck when the cameras aren't rolling.
In the fourteen years I’ve been reporting on the automotive industry, few vehicles have ignited a firestorm of public opinion quite like the Tesla Cybertruck. If you spend any time on social media, you’d be forgiven for thinking that driving one is an open invitation for vandalism, middle fingers, and verbal abuse. We’ve all seen the viral videos of frustrated pedestrians or the "rolling coal" incidents. But is that the reality for every owner?
According to a recent report from the Cybertruck Owners Only Facebook group, the narrative of universal "Cybertruck hate" might be more of an online echo chamber than a real-world rule, especially if you live in the right neighborhood.
One owner, Christopher John, recently shared an experience that stands in stark contrast to the dystopian "Cyber-hate" often portrayed in the media. His story, coming from Franklin, Tennessee, suggests that in some pockets of America, the angular electric truck isn't a symbol of division but a catalyst for community, curiosity, and even a little bit of joy.
Does an "Alternate Universe" really exist?
Christopher John took to social media to share his confusion and delight after a month of ownership. He expected the worst but received the best. Here is what he posted to the group:
"I must live in an alternate universe because, after almost a month owning a Cybertruck AWD, I’ve had no hate. Today, I actually got smiles, thumbs-up, and comments about how cool it is. I went to Mellow Mushroom Pizza in Franklin, TN, popped the frunk, and sat with my wife, eating a slice of pizza while watching some kids and adults river dance in the town square. I heard one guy walk by hating on Biden for being a criminal (CT-inspired Biden hate? lol), and another guy commented while I had my window down how cool the truck was, and he saw the rear wheels turn, not knowing these trucks had that feature. Another lady in Mt Juliet, TN, looked over and couldn't stop smiling. The Starbucks employees around here all ask questions about it and seem to like it. So I guess everyone in Tennessee loves Elon Musk, hates Biden, and loves Tesla / Cybertrucks. You need to move to TN."
This quote is fascinating because it paints a vividly different picture from the coastal or urban antagonism we often read about. It captures a specific slice of Americana: eating pizza in a frunk, watching river dancing in a town square, and bonding over truck tech.
The Internet Amplifies the Negative
As a reporter who spends a lot of time analyzing owner forums and reliability reports, I often warn readers that the internet amplifies the negative. When it comes to the Cybertruck, the "hate" clicks are profitable. A video of someone yelling at a Cybertruck driver goes viral; a video of a family smiling at one does not.
However, John's experience in Franklin highlights a crucial point: Curiosity often trumps ideology.
When the truck is actually sitting there, in the metal (or stainless steel alloy, to be precise), the politics often fade away. The man John mentions, who noticed the rear wheels turning, wasn't thinking about Elon Musk's latest tweet or the EV tax credit. He was a truck guy looking at a piece of machinery doing something cool.
The Feature That Turns Heads
John mentioned a specific detail that caught a passerby's eye: "he saw the rear wheels turn, not knowing these trucks had that feature."
For those who haven't driven the Cybertruck, the Steer-by-Wire system and Rear-Wheel Steering are legitimate game-changers. I’ve reviewed hundreds of vehicles, from the Toyota Tundra to the Ford F-150, and maneuverability is always the Achilles' heel of a full-size pickup.
The Cybertruck’s rear wheels can turn up to 10 degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speeds. This shrinks the turning circle to be smaller than that of a Model S sedan. When you see a truck that size pivot on a dime in a tight Mellow Mushroom parking lot, it stops you in your tracks. It looks unnatural, futuristic, and undeniably impressive.
It is these tangible engineering feats that often win over the skeptics. It’s hard to "hate" a vehicle when you are busy trying to figure out how it just pulled off a U-turn that would have required a three-point turn in a Silverado.
The "Frunk" Lifestyle
Another part of John's story that resonates is the image of him and his wife "eating a slice of pizza" while sitting in the frunk.
For decades, the "tailgate party" has been a staple of truck ownership. But the Cybertruck, along with the Ford F-150 Lightning and Silverado EV, is shifting the party to the front. The motorized frunk (front trunk) offers a bench-like seating area that is perfect for exactly what John described: casual dining while people-watching.
This shifts the vehicle's social dynamic. You aren't hiding behind the truck bed; you are out front, facing the community. It invites interaction. In a friendly town square in Tennessee, that interaction appears to be overwhelmingly positive.
Is It A Regional Thing?
John suggests, somewhat jokingly, "You need to move to TN." There might be some truth to the regional variance in reception.
In areas where EVs are ubiquitous (like parts of California or my home state of Colorado), the Cybertruck is seen through a lens of oversaturation and political tribalism. In truck-loving states like Tennessee or Texas, the reception can be paradoxically warmer. Why? Because underneath the cyber-skin, it’s still a pickup.
Truck owners respect capability. If a vehicle can tow, haul, and handle rough terrain, it earns a nod of respect, regardless of the badge. The Cybertruck is polarizing, yes, but in regions where "truck culture" is dominant, the sheer audacity of building a stainless steel beast often garners a "Hell yeah, brother" reaction rather than a sneer.
"Biden vs. Musk"
John’s anecdote also touches on the inevitable political filter: "I guess everyone in Tennessee loves Elon Musk, hates Biden..."
It is impossible to separate the truck from the man who built it, especially in 2025. For some, the Cybertruck is a rolling MAGA hat; for others, it’s a symbol of progress in green energy. But what John experienced was a weird crossover: a conservative-leaning demographic (hating on Biden) embracing an electric vehicle (usually a liberal marker) because of the "Cool Factor."
This breaks the traditional mold. It suggests that Tesla has successfully crossed the chasm. The Cybertruck isn't just an "environmentalist's car." It has become a cultural icon that transcends traditional political boundaries, appealing to anyone who values disruption and raw power.
What This Means for Potential Cybertruck Owners
If you are on the fence about buying a Cybertruck because you are afraid of the negative attention, Christopher John’s story is a reassuring data point.
The Internet Isn't Real Life: The hostility you see in comment sections rarely translates to physical confrontations in the real world. Most people are non-confrontational and, more often than not, just curious.
Kids Love It: As John noted, "Kids and adults river dance." Okay, maybe the river dancing was incidental, but the joy was real. Children are almost universally awestruck by the Cybertruck. To them, it’s a video game come to life.
Be Prepared to Talk: You cannot be an introvert and own this truck. You will be stopped at gas stations (or charging stations), Starbucks, and pizza joints. As John found out, employees and strangers will ask questions.
The Smile You Didn't Expect
We live in divided times, and the automotive world is not immune to that division. But stories like this remind us that, at the end of the day, cars and trucks are meant to be fun. They are meant to take us places to Mellow Mushroom, to the town square, to the trail.
Christopher John expected to defend his purchase. Instead, he found himself eating pizza in the front of his truck, watching his community dance, and sharing a moment of appreciation for rear-wheel steering with a stranger.
If that’s the "alternate universe" the Cybertruck opens up, maybe it’s not such a bad place to be.
What about you? Are you seeing Cybertrucks in your neighborhood? Is the reaction thumbs up or thumbs down? Let us know in the comments below.
With over 30 years of industry experience, Denis Flierl brings an insider’s perspective to Torque News, where he has been a Senior Reporter since 2012. Before picking up the pen, Denis consulted for the automotive industry's biggest brands and honed his skills as a test driver. He cuts through the noise to deliver the latest auto news, compelling owner stories, and the expert analysis necessary to navigate today's changing automotive market.
Have a tip or question? Follow me on X @DenisFlierl and @WorldsCoolestRides, or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Christopher John
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