‘Elon-gelical’ Tesla Influencers Leaving The Cult

John Johnston discusses a Wired article by Miles Clay detailing how some prominent Tesla influencers, once fervent supporters of Elon Musk dubbed "Elon-gelicals," are distancing themselves from the brand and its leader. He frames this as evidence of a fracturing cult-like community, amplified by recent events like FSD transfer policy changes and longstanding unfulfilled promises.

Recent Triggers for Discontent

The episode centers on Tesla's March 2024 decision to limit Full Self-Driving (FSD) transfers to vehicles delivered by March 31, frustrating buyers amid production delays. Customers who paid up to $15,000 for lifetime FSD found it switched to a subscription model, with no transfer option for late deliveries—only a $250 refund on cancellation. This "bait-and-switch," as Johnston calls it, sparked outrage on X (formerly Twitter), even from influencers like "The Cybertruck Guy," who labeled it "blatant FSD transfer lies." Loyalists responded by blocking critics and accusing them of sabotage, highlighting the community's intolerance for dissent. Johnston notes Tesla's scarcity marketing, such as brief $59,990 Cybertruck pricing, exacerbated the backlash.