Rachel Maddow Laughs Hysterically As Elon’s Cybertruck SPUTTERS.

In an era where technology announcements are as dramatic as Hollywood premieres, it’s no surprise that one of the most highly anticipated electric vehicles in recent memory—the Tesla Cybertruck—would command headlines.

But during its most recent public appearance, the futuristic truck sputtered, stalled, and underwhelmed, much to the delight of MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow, whose uncontrollable laughter on live television turned into one of the internet’s favorite viral moments of the week. “I’m not saying it’s a toy, but it’s giving battery-powered blender energy,” Maddow quipped through tears of laughter.

The incident, lighthearted on the surface, underscores a bigger conversation about the disconnect between tech ambition and real-world execution—and the media’s increasingly sharp reactions.

During a live Tesla showcase event in early 2025, Elon Musk presented what was billed as the final, production-ready model of the Cybertruck. Sleek, angular, and still reminiscent of a video game vehicle from the early PlayStation era, the truck rolled forward onto the stage… and then promptly sputtered, made grinding noises, and jerked to a halt.

The silence in the room was palpable.

For a vehicle that’s been delayed multiple times, hyped for half a decade, and priced at a steep $80,000+, the mechanical hiccup was a PR nightmare—and a golden gift for critics and comedians.

On her primetime MSNBC show that evening, Rachel Maddow played the Cybertruck clip for her viewers. What began as a straightforward media commentary turned into a laugh-fueled spectacle as she burst out into full-blown hysterics, unable to finish her sentence for nearly 30 seconds. “It’s supposed to change the world,” she managed to say, gasping for air, “and it can’t even make it across the stage without looking like it’s choking.”

The segment quickly became a meme of its own, as producers added sound effects and rewind footage. The clip of Maddow laughing racked up millions of views within 24 hours on YouTube and TikTok, and was widely shared under hashtags like #CyberLaugh, #MaddowRoastsMusk, and #EVOops.

While the laughter was real, Maddow’s critique was pointed. “This isn’t just about a truck,” she said later in the segment. “It’s about trust in big promises. It’s about billionaires who treat the public like beta testers and the media like marketing teams.”

In a media landscape often polarized between tech worship and tech skepticism, Maddow’s unscripted moment highlighted a growing fatigue with what many see as overpromised innovation that rarely arrives without a glitch (or lawsuit).

She also referenced the infamous 2019 Cybertruck event, when a supposedly “bulletproof” window shattered during another live demonstration. “We’ve had five years to go from broken glass to broken drive train,” she said. “At least the aesthetics are consistent.”

As is the norm with any Elon Musk-related moment, the internet responded in force. But this time, the spotlight wasn’t on Musk—it was on Maddow’s perfectly timed mockery.

Some of the most viral memes included:

A Cybertruck rolling backward into a ditch with Maddow’s laugh dubbed over it.

A fake Tesla ad reading: “Cybertruck: Now with added drama and random noises.”

Side-by-side footage of the Cybertruck and a child’s Power Wheels toy, both “driving” with similar results.

Notably, even many tech enthusiasts shared the moment, saying that even Musk fans “had to admit it was funny.”

Automotive analysts were quick to clarify that the vehicle malfunction was likely minor, perhaps a software bug or motor calibration issue. But in the age of viral media, the optics are everything, and Maddow’s reaction arguably did more damage to Tesla’s image than the actual glitch itself. “Rachel Maddow may have delivered the most effective EV critique of 2025—and she did it while laughing,” said one media critic.

Meanwhile, marketing experts say Tesla’s public events have become as risky as they are effective—balancing showmanship with vulnerability in the always-recording digital world.

Elon Musk, known for clapping back on social media, didn’t directly respond to Maddow—but he did post a meme a few days later: the Cybertruck photoshopped into a “Wacky Races” cartoon, with the caption: “Work in progress. Chill.”

Whether that was meant to be a deflection or defiance is anyone’s guess.

Tesla’s loyal fanbase remains strong, and pre-orders for the Cybertruck are still rolling in. But moments like these may affect mainstream consumer trust, especially for buyers on the fence between traditional automakers and Tesla.

More importantly, the event underscores the growing power of media personalities like Rachel Maddow to shape public perception—not just about politics, but about culture, business, and technology.

Rachel Maddow’s hysterical laughter wasn’t just funny—it struck a cultural chord. In a world oversaturated with big promises and “disruptive” tech, people are craving honesty, accountability, and sometimes, just a good laugh at a billionaire’s expense.

The Cybertruck might still be the future. But if it is, Maddow—and the rest of us—are going to need a lot more reasons to believe it won’t stall on the way there.