Recently, a Tesla Cybertruck was observed towing a large statue of Elon Musk on a trailer in Texas, sparking considerable interest among local residents and social media users alike. The remarkable sight, which took place over the weekend in Brownsville, required onlookers to pause, as it is not every day that one encounters a colossal depiction of the Tesla CEO being transported by a matte black Cybertruck.
Footage shared online captured this unique event, although the original video has since been removed, with only an accompanying photograph remaining. The video originally displayed the statue, which some viewers suggested bore a poor resemblance to Elon Musk, being pulled along the road near SpaceX’s Starbase headquarters. Remarkably, the origins of the statue and its intended destination remain largely unknown.
Elon Musk has notably been an influential figure in Brownsville, having made substantial contributions to the community, including a $10 million donation in 2021 aimed at revitalizing the area where SpaceX operates a rocket production facility. This investment sparked discussions about Musk’s ambitious plans to establish a city named “Starbase” in nearby Boca Chica, further solidifying his commitment to the region.
In addition to his previous donations, Musk has recently announced intentions to invest an additional $15 million for the development of a shopping center in Brownsville, which is set to feature a grocery store, cafe, restaurant, and an outdoor space overlooking the Rio Grande. Such investments could potentially be linked to the statue’s appearance in the town.
Reports from Torque News suggest that the statue is part of a promotional effort by a group aiming to market Musk’s likeness as digital art in the format of a non-fungible token (NFT). While the statue may appear to be bronze, it is reportedly constructed from a lighter material coated in dark gold paint. Despite being secured to the trailer with only thin straps, which hints at its relatively light weight, the statue poses minimal risk of falling or causing damage.
The choice of a Cybertruck for this endeavor has led many to speculate that it is a calculated publicity stunt. Interestingly, the statue was designed intentionally not to resemble Musk, following an earlier, melting-face artwork of him that circulated on Reddit five years ago. This amusing artistic connection even prompted a sardonic response from Musk, who remarked, “It is like looking in a mirror.”
Additionally, the group responsible for the statue, identified as ElonRWA, has previously created a mural representing the same melting-face portrait in Brownsville, advocating for the purchase of fractional shares of the Elon Musk meme’s NFT.
In closing, while the spectacle of a Tesla Cybertruck towing a statue of Elon Musk captured the attention of many, it appears to be a multifaceted endeavor not only to promote artworks of Musk but also to highlight his continued investments in Brownsville and the burgeoning Starbase community.
Social media reactions showcase the excitement surrounding this unusual event, with various users expressing their admiration and amusement at the sight. It remains to be seen how this creative representation of Elon Musk will influence local engagement and broader conversations about innovation in art and technology.