Elon Musk's Vocal Social Media Critic Bought A Cybertruck For Its 'Safety,' Here's What The Tesla CEO Had To Say About It
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Elon Musk praised Tesla Inc.'s (NASDAQ:TSLA) Cybertruck on Thursday after frequent critic Brian Krassenstein said he bought one, using the moment to defend the electric pickup's polarizing design, safety case and performance.
Musk Defends Cybertruck's Polarizing Design
Musk wrote on X that "only when you drive the Cybertruck do you realize how incredible it is," calling the vehicle "a bulletproof tank that moves like a million-dollar sports car." He said the truck's angular shape was not just styling but also a manufacturing constraint tied to its thick stainless-steel body panels.
The Tesla CEO argued that the Cybertruck's ultra-hard stainless steel panels cannot be stamped like the "thin, feeble" steel used on traditional trucks, saying they would break 5,000-ton stamping machines. Tesla has long marketed the Cybertruck around its exoskeleton-style body, though the model's sharp design has also drawn criticism since its launch.
Krassenstein Purchase Draws Online Backlash
Krassenstein, a political commentator who runs Krassencast with his twin brother Ed, announced Wednesday that he had bought a Cybertruck despite expecting backlash. He said safety mattered because he has a young family and added that he did not want to keep burning "$5 a gallon gasoline."
The post quickly drew thousands of comments on X, many of which mocked the purchase. On Thursday, Krassenstein responded sarcastically, posting an AI-generated image of a black Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) Super Duty diesel pickup and joking that he had traded in the Cybertruck after losing 6,000 followers.
Cybertruck Safety Ratings Boost Musk's Case
The Cybertruck has earned strong crash-safety marks. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety lists the 2025 Cybertruck as a Top Safety Pick+ for vehicles built after April 2025, the group's highest award. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also given the Cybertruck a five-star overall rating, though it received four stars in rollover testing.
Tesla has also regained ground with repeat buyers. S&P Global Mobility data recently showed the electric vehicle maker leading U.S. automotive brand loyalty in February 2026 at 61.1%, ahead of Subaru (OTC:FUJHY) at 60.5% and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) at 59.9%, above the industry average of 52.7%.
According to Benzinga Edge Rankings, Tesla stock offers satisfactory Momentum, but poor Value. It also provides a favorable price trend in the Long and Short term.
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