‘We are the media now’: why Tesla’s robotaxis were dominated by Elon Musk superfans

Tesla’s robotaxi launch was dominated by Elon Musk superfans and Tesla influencers who are openly supportive of the CEO’s vision.
Journalists and tech bloggers who attempted to ask critical questions about the service were excluded, ridiculed, and mocked by Tesla fans online.
A prominent influencer named Zack ignored a Reuters journalist who approached him multiple times and received supportive responses from other users.
Tesla fans took cues from Elon Musk’s past behavior of fomenting resentment toward critical media, with some even saying they would unfollow accounts that responded to journalists.
The event highlights Tesla’s reputation for hosting events to generate authentic hype, but also shows how the company’s fanbase can be hostile to criticism and opposing viewpoints.

illustration of a person hailing a Tesla robotaxi

Over the years, Tesla has built part of its reputation on hosting big, bold events to generate authentic hype for upcoming releases. The robotaxi launch in Austin, Texas, last week wasn’t one of them.

Coverage of the rollout was dominated by a close-knit cohort of Tesla influencers and Elon Musk superfans, many of whom are openly supportive of the CEO’s vision. Journalists and tech bloggers who might have been more critical of the technology were not only excluded but also actively ridiculed and mocked by Tesla fans and some of their followers for attempting to ask basic questions about the service. In Austin and online, Tesla fans were taking a cue from Musk, who has spent years fomenting a culture of resentment toward critical media.

One of the more prominent influencers, who goes by Zack on X, claimed he was approached multiple times by a Reuters journalist, whom he promptly ignored. That post, which has over 2,000 likes, received supportive responses from other users – one wrote that the publication and other legacy media outlets “can go F themselves.” Another said they would unfollow any account that simply responded to members of the media.

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Q. What was unique about Tesla’s robotaxi launch event?

A. Unlike previous events, Tesla’s robotaxi launch did not generate much hype or authentic media coverage.

Q. Who dominated the coverage of Tesla’s robotaxi rollout?

A. A close-knit cohort of Tesla influencers and Elon Musk superfans, many of whom are openly supportive of the CEO’s vision.

Q. How were journalists and tech bloggers treated by Tesla fans during the event?

A. They were excluded, ridiculed, and mocked for attempting to ask basic questions about the service.

Q. What was one of the responses from a Tesla influencer when approached by a Reuters journalist?

A. The influencer ignored the journalist and posted on X, receiving supportive responses from other users.

Q. How did some Tesla fans respond to journalists who attempted to ask questions about the robotaxi service?

A. They would unfollow any account that simply responded to members of the media.

Q. What has Elon Musk spent years fomenting a culture of resentment toward critical media?

A. A culture of resentment toward critical media, which is evident in how Tesla fans and influencers treated journalists during the event.

Q. Why did some Tesla fans respond negatively to journalists who attempted to ask questions about the robotaxi service?

A. Because they were influenced by Elon Musk’s rhetoric and felt that critical media was “fake news” or not worthy of attention.

Q. What is notable about the response from a user on X who wrote that legacy media outlets “can go F themselves”?

A. The user’s response reflects the toxic atmosphere created by Elon Musk’s influence, where critics are mocked and ridiculed.

Q. How did Tesla fans take cues from Elon Musk during the event?

A. They took cues from Musk’s behavior and rhetoric, which encouraged them to be dismissive and hostile towards critical media.

Q. What is the significance of the post with over 2,000 likes on X?

A. The post highlights how Tesla fans are actively participating in a culture of resentment toward critical media, as encouraged by Elon Musk.