"I Was Hit in the Face Because I Own a Cybertruck," Says Owner Who Reacts by Distributing Free Money | Carscoops

      Rather than escalating the situation or resorting to legal action, the man remained composed and has started leaving a few dollars along with a heart symbol on Cybertrucks he encounters.

      A Tesla owner recently reported being assaulted solely for owning and driving a Cybertruck. Instead of reacting negatively, he decided to promote kindness among fellow Cybertruck enthusiasts. Amidst numerous threats targeting Tesla owners, this represents a refreshing shift in behavior.

      Robert Oneal, a long-time Tesla investor and Cybertruck owner, had a firsthand experience showcasing how divisive Elon Musk’s uniquely designed pickup truck can be. The Los Angeles resident recounted a brief but bizarre incident on social media, stating: “I got punched in the face tonight because I have a Cybertruck. I feel sorry for that guy. I attempted to hug him afterward, but that didn't go well.” However, Oneal is determined to turn the situation around by channeling that punch into an opportunity for kindness.

      According to Oneal, the attacker, who weighed around 160 pounds, hurled some anti-capitalist insults before striking, seemingly fueled by animosity towards Tesla and/or Elon Musk. Unfortunately for the assailant, Oneal outweighs him by approximately 60 pounds and remained standing. Rather than escalate the confrontation, he opted to demonstrate some goodwill.

      “I forgive him,” Oneal commented, expressing sympathy for the assailant. Instead of allowing the incident to tarnish his affection for Tesla or the Cybertruck, Oneal devised a unique response: he now leaves a few dollars and a heart drawn in dust on the windowsills of Cybertrucks he encounters, a small gesture of kindness to counteract the negativity.

      Ironically, it's quite a twist. A man is punched for being deemed a “capitalist swine” and, in return, begins quietly redistributing wealth—one Cybertruck at a time.

      Whether this will trigger a broader “Cybertruck Pay-It-Forward” initiative is uncertain, but it's a rare instance of a Tesla controversy that doesn't involve Musk's social media antics, dubious hand signals, exploding batteries, or semi-autonomous crashes. For Oneal, it’s about transforming an unnecessarily aggressive encounter into something uplifting.

      Will this prevent the next Tesla or Musk critic from throwing a fit or, worse, a punch? Likely not. But at least some unsuspecting Cybertruck owners are receiving unexpected cash surprises while society navigates its feelings about Tesla’s latest controversies. Across the globe, protests against Musk and Tesla are ongoing, including threats aimed at Tesla owners. Perhaps this could serve as a reminder that everyone needs to take a step back and redirect their energy towards more constructive outlets.

      Image Credit: Robert Oneal