Listen to this Post
Tesla is no stranger to controversy, spectacle, and viral internet moments—and the past week was no exception. From an anti-Elon Musk protest involving a Sherman tank to a near-mythical FSD trip to Everest Base Camp, to the futuristic roar of the Tesla Semi and Musk joking about gorillas—this week’s headlines read like a blend of dystopian satire and innovation documentary.
These episodes, while ranging from dramatic to downright absurd, underscore one consistent thread: Tesla’s vehicles, brand, and CEO remain at the heart of cultural, technological, and political discourse. Whether it’s political performance art or high-altitude FSD experiments, each event speaks volumes about the evolving public relationship with Tesla and its enigmatic leader, Elon Musk.
Tesla Crushed by Tank, But Not Defeated
Led By Donkeys, a British political activist group, published a viral video of a World War II veteran crushing a Tesla Model 3 with a Sherman tank in protest of Elon Musk’s alleged alignment with far-right ideologies in Europe. Their symbolic act—literally flattening a car with a “Fascism” plate—was meant to deliver a punchy political message.
But the result? Mixed.
Despite the crushing force of a 70,000-pound tank, the Model 3 held up far better than expected. Its lower structure remained intact, doors could still open, and many observers pointed out that someone inside might have survived—a testament to Tesla’s industry-leading crash resilience.
The irony was not lost on social media users, who highlighted the unintentional marketing win for Tesla’s vehicle safety.
Tesla Model 3 FSD Climbs Toward Everest
Thousands of miles away, a Tesla Model 3 in China embarked on a far more inspiring challenge: a nearly 4,000-kilometer journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest. What makes this extraordinary is that the trip is being attempted using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software.
With stunning landscapes and difficult terrain—some requiring oxygen canisters—this is a powerful demonstration of how far Tesla’s autonomous driving tech has come. The vehicle has nearly reached Everest Base Camp and may arrive by Friday, marking another milestone in Tesla’s FSD evolution.
While not the first Tesla to attempt this journey, it is likely the first to do it under full automation, capturing public imagination and reinforcing Tesla’s lead in the autonomous driving space.
Tesla Semi: Futuristic Freight Roar
Another Tesla vehicle turning heads is the Class 8 Tesla Semi. Though not yet mass-produced, Tesla’s electric truck has already logged nearly 8 million miles during testing. Recent viral videos have drawn attention not just for its size or acceleration, but for the unique, sci-fi sound the vehicle emits when revving up under load.
These audio-visual clips underscore the futuristic aura surrounding Tesla’s heavy-duty entry. While still in the ramp-up phase at the Nevada production facility, Tesla has begun hiring for over 80 Semi-related roles, with more than 1,000 workers already dedicated to the project.
The Semi is more than a novelty; it could revolutionize logistics with electric powertrains and low operational costs—all wrapped in a high-tech package.
Elon Musk Joins “100 Men vs. 1 Gorilla” Meme
In lighter news, Elon Musk recently joked about joining a bizarre viral challenge circulating on social media: “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla.” Prompted by a popular meme and reposted by MrBeast, the idea triggered debates, laughter, and even simulated battle clips.
Musk, known for spontaneous humor, chimed in with “Sure, what’s the worst that could happen?” It was a rare playful moment from the Tesla CEO, following a tough quarter and months of politically charged activity.
Fans took it as a sign that Musk might be softening his public persona once more, especially as he distances himself from daily operations of X (formerly Twitter) and focuses more on Tesla and SpaceX.
What Undercode Say:
This week of Tesla headlines offers an excellent lens into the company’s strengths, vulnerabilities, and cultural magnetism.
- The Tank Incident: Intended as a protest, it became an inadvertent advertisement. The Model 3’s structure surviving a Sherman tank crush is no minor feat. Engineering wins again. While the political message was loud, the safety messaging was louder.
FSD to Everest: This isn’t just about a long drive; it’s symbolic. Tesla’s autonomous software reaching one of the most remote and extreme environments on Earth speaks volumes about its adaptability. It’s one thing to drive through LA traffic; it’s another to self-navigate near-Everest altitudes. That’s autonomy under pressure.
3. Tesla
4.
Cultural Gravity: Tesla doesn’t just make cars—it attracts social narratives. From protests to challenges, it remains a central talking point. Few companies are both engineering icons and cultural Rorschach tests. Tesla is both.
Contradictions Are Strengths: One group rolls a tank to protest Tesla’s CEO, yet ends up validating the brand’s core product. Another group drives to the edge of the world to test its autonomous brain. Even the internal contradictions add to the mythos of the brand.
Media Engineering: Whether intentional or not, Tesla continues to dominate news cycles with content that blends product marketing with story-telling. Each viral moment becomes part of a broader brand narrative—one that mixes science fiction, social commentary, and real-world engineering.
Evergreen Innovation: The Semi isn’t even in full release yet, and it’s already achieving cultural status. The Everest journey hasn’t even concluded, and it’s already making headlines. Tesla’s innovation engine is also a hype engine—and both are well-oiled.
Tesla Is Too Big to Ignore: Love it or hate it, Tesla commands attention. Whether it’s an old tank, a mountain peak, or a joke about gorillas, Tesla always finds itself at the intersection of technology, politics, and meme culture.
Fact Checker Results
The Sherman tank used in the Tesla Model 3 stunt weighs approximately 70,000–84,000 pounds — consistent with real M4 Sherman specs.
The Tesla Model 3 used appears to have had its battery removed, which explains the resilience of the lower chassis.
FSD driving toward Everest Base Camp is corroborated by video evidence on Chinese platforms and prior Tesla journeys.
Prediction
In the coming months, we can expect Tesla to double down on narrative control. Viral moments—whether critical or celebratory—will be spun into brand-positive stories. Tesla’s marketing, especially under Elon Musk’s meme-savvy leadership, is now more decentralized than ever. Expect more wild adventures, unexpected stunts, and meme-driven engagement to serve as soft power in Tesla’s global expansion.
If anything, Tesla’s greatest product might not be its vehicles—but the storylines it creates.
References:
Reported By: www.teslarati.com
Extra Source Hub:
https://www.twitter.com
Wikipedia
Undercode AI
Image Source:
Unsplash
Undercode AI DI v2
