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Tesla’s Cybertruck is starting to catch the interest of industry leaders

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Tesla’s Cybertruck has caught the world’s attention due to its polarizing design. While it is undeniably futuristic, the vehicle’s design is so much different from every other pickup truck on the market that it is proving to be an acquired taste. Despite this, support for the vehicle is spreading quickly. This has been teased by statements from several walks of life, from law enforcement members to titans of the gaming industry, to one of the most recognized icons in the world of sports entertainment today.

When Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the Cybertruck on November 21 in Los Angeles, he said it was made to be tough. The company moved the mass of the vehicle to the outside, recognizing this design as an “exoskeleton” that will make the truck durable and long-lasting. This idea was displayed through a demonstration involving a sledgehammer and the truck’s door.

Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen slammed the driver’s side door with the sledgehammer multiple times without doing any sort of cosmetic damage to the truck. The Cybertruck’s tough design does not fit the traditional age-old stereotype of electric vehicles being weak and underpowered — an idea that many non-electric car enthusiasts hold onto.

The unusual design choice Tesla chose for its first pickup truck, while polarizing and unusual, caught the attention of many people, including Kansas Highway Patrol member Ben Gardner, who stated he was interested in using the Cybertruck while on duty. Trooper Ben, as he is known as on Twitter, started the speculation when he tweeted “Hear me out…. #Cybertruck patrol vehicle?! #SignMeUp.” This tweet was met with renderings from a designer named Daniel Scott, who provided a render of the Cybertruck as a police vehicle. 

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Tesla vehicles have been utilized by some police forces in the United States, including a Model S for the Fremont PD near the Tesla factory in California, and a Model 3 in Bargersville, Indiana.

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Another prominent figure from another industry has requested a Cybertruck design from Elon Musk. Min-Liang Tan, CEO of Razer, a gaming hardware manufacturing company, has requested a Cybertruck themed with his company’s logo and color scheme. Tan tweeted the Tesla CEO on November 25, sending a pretty slick-looking render of the black and green Razer themed Cybertruck, along with a question regarding Tesla’s status in his home country of Singapore.

https://twitter.com/minliangtan/status/1198987366716911618

Tan’s proposed design for his custom Cybertruck even caught the attention of Musk, who liked the tweet.

Finally, one of the biggest sports icons in the world today has complimented and requested a pre-order of the Cybertruck. Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) superstar Conor McGregor tweeted Musk following the CEO’s announcement of 200,000 Cybertruck pre-orders. McGregor, who is known throughout the world as “The Notorious,” is known for his flashy clothing and cars. The man who regularly sports designer threads and some of the fastest sports cars in the world focused on the impressive pre-orders the truck has received. But McGregor did not stop there, as he also requested a couple of Boring Company flamethrowers in the process, too.

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The man who is the first fighter in UFC history to hold championship belts at two separate weight classes is known for his flashy style both inside and outside of the Octagon, McGregor is a longtime follower of Musk on Twitter. Perhaps he is looking to add some high-performance, electric-powered vehicles to his fleet of automobiles.

McGregor’s thirst for unique automobiles has spread to the Tesla Cybertruck. Credit: Instagram/@TheNotoriousMMA

Kansas Highway Patrol, the Razer CEO, and the MMA fighter are but the tip of the iceberg for notable personalities who are starting to warm up to the Tesla’s polarizing pickup truck. YouTube superstars, musicians, and social media influencers have also publicly stated that they have posted reservations for the vehicle.

As the Cybertruck nears the quarter-million pre-order mark, the truck’s unique shape and design have obviously won many people over. It seems that the Cybertruck is becoming the “cool” truck of the next decade, a truck that some of the toughest, most bleeding-edge people in the world have their sights set on. The boldness of Tesla to release the truck has caught the attention of leading figures in their respective fields, making it one of the most talked-about vehicles today.

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Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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President Trump touts new Air Force One with Musk technology

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Credit: Air Force

President Donald Trump unveiled an upgraded Boeing 747-8 at Joint Base Andrews on June 19, 2026, describing the Qatar-gifted aircraft as an interim Air Force One equipped with advanced communications systems, including Starlink, Elon Musk’s SpaceX satellite internet service.

The plane, valued at around $400 million and modified for presidential use, serves as a bridge until the delayed VC-25B replacements arrive. Trump highlighted its luxury features and new technology during remarks to service members.

Trump stated:

“We have communication equipment up there that nobody’s ever seen before. It’s the highest level and, uh, including Starlink. My friend Elon is going to be very happy, but, uh, Starlink and we have, uh, four or five different sets of double and triple communications like people haven’t seen.”

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He added:

“And it represents what can happen with hard work, innovation, and aggressive timelines because we did this quickly and yet there’s never been communication like is on this plane.”

The aircraft features a redesigned red, white, and blue livery and has been outfitted with Starlink satellite connectivity alongside other secure systems.

Trump praised the plane’s uniqueness, calling it among the world’s most luxurious. The gift from Qatar and subsequent modifications have drawn attention, with the jet positioned as a solution for presidential travel. It is expected to support operations, including potential ceremonial roles such as Fourth of July flyovers.

The event marked the formal introduction of the converted jet, which will help maintain capabilities while the primary Air Force One fleet undergoes modernization. Defense observers note the inclusion of commercial satellite technology like Starlink as part of efforts to ensure resilient communications, crucial to keep the country running as the President is in the sky.

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President Trump’s comments underscored appreciation for rapid upgrades and innovation in equipping the aircraft. The plane remains a U.S. government asset and is slated for eventual transfer related to presidential library purposes after its service.

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Tesla Cybercab launch is imminent after latest sighting at Giga Texas

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Credit: Joe Tegtmeyer | X

Tesla just gave what is perhaps its biggest signal yet that the launch of the Cybercab, its autonomous ride-hailing-geared car, is imminent.

The Cybercab has been spotted outside of Gigafactory Texas in massive numbers over the past few days, with hundreds of units being stored on property just days after the vehicle received a Certificate of Conformity from the EPA.

Today, things were a bit different.

Cybercabs spotted on Giga Texas property today had an addition: a Cybercab decal on the side, reminiscent of the “Robotaxi” ones that were placed on Model Ys just as the company launched its ride-sharing platform about a year ago.

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Giga Texas drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer noticed the change today:

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Tesla could be signaling that the Cybercab is preparing to enter the Robotaxi fleet in the coming weeks or months with this move. It seems more symbolic than anything; Tesla is ready to throw Cybercabs in the ride-hailing platform just as it did with Model Ys last year.

The addition of the Certificate of Conformity awarded to the Cybercab is another major factor working to Tesla’s advantage. The company now has permission from the EPA to allow the vehicle to operate on public roads and enter the chain of commerce. It’s officially street legal.

Tesla Cybercab specs revealed: range, curb weight, range ratings, and more

The big question that remains is whether Tesla will be able to operate the car without a safety monitor, especially considering it plans to put the car out there without a steering wheel or pedals. With the Cybercab only having a seating capacity of two, it is hard to believe Tesla will even consider putting a Safety Monitor in the car.

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It did recently self-certify as Level 4 and has the ability to operate driverless vehicles in the State of Texas under a law that took effect on May 28. You can read more about that here:

Tesla’s Robotaxi dreams just took a massive step toward reality

We’d imagine Cybercabs will be on the roads as soon as July, but August will likely be a better estimate of when the car will be entered into the Cybercab fleet. It all depends at where Tesla is, as they’ve truly prioritized safety with the rollout of the Robotaxi platform.

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Elon Musk says this part of Tesla ‘makes no sense’

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Justin Pacheco, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Elon Musk has publicly questioned Moody’s credit assessments following the rating agency’s decision to assign SpaceX a Baa1 investment-grade rating, two notches above Tesla’s Baa3. The comments came amid discussions comparing the two companies’ financial profiles.

SpaceX earned its first-time Baa1 rating with a stable outlook from Moody’s. The agency highlighted the company’s leadership in orbital launches, the growing recurring revenue from its Starlink satellite network, strong vertical integration, U.S. government contracts, and emerging opportunities in AI infrastructure.

These factors were cited as supporting robust cash flows, margin expansion, and financial flexibility.

Musk responded directly: “Tesla’s credit rating is ridiculously low tbh,” and added, “Yeah, makes no sense. Tesla has over $40B in cash, no debt, and is consistently profitable!” His remarks underscored Tesla’s balance sheet strength and profitability at a time when many traditional automakers continue to report losses in the shift to electric vehicles.

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Tesla maintains a leading position in the global EV market, with diversification into energy and storage, battery technology, and robotics through projects like Optimus. Recent financial updates show the company generated positive free cash flow of $1.4 billion in Q1 2026, supported by operating cash flow of $3.9 billion. Cash and short-term investments stood at approximately $44.7 billion.

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Moody’s has affirmed Tesla’s Baa3 issuer rating with a stable outlook in periodic reviews, acknowledging the company’s EV leadership, technology strengths, including AI for autonomous vehicles, solid profitability, and strong liquidity.

Tesla (TSLA) scores Baa3 Moody’s rating for ‘stable’ outlook

However, the agency has also noted challenges in the automotive segment and expectations for margin pressures.

Musk’s critique highlights a common debate about how traditional rating methodologies apply to high-growth, capital-intensive technology companies. SpaceX benefits from long-term government-backed contracts and diversified, recurring revenue streams, while Tesla’s valuation reflects heavy investment in future technologies such as autonomy and robotics.

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Both ratings remain investment-grade, yet the one-notch difference has fueled online discussion about potential inconsistencies in evaluating innovative firms.

The exchange comes as SpaceX explores financing options following its recent valuation milestones, while Tesla continues executing on its multi-year roadmap. Musk’s pointed response serves as a reminder that credit ratings, though influential for borrowing costs, represent one lens through which markets assess corporate strength—and that company leaders often view their financial positions through the lens of long-term innovation and cash generation rather than short-term risk metrics alone.

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