A viral video claiming that Tesla remotely shut down a Cybertruck after its owner used the truck in an unauthorized music video has been debunked by the automaker, which called the footage “fake” and confirmed it does not disable vehicles remotely.
The controversy began over the weekend when rapper Big Huey posted a video to Instagram showing what he claimed was his Cybertruck suddenly shutting off while driving on a highway. The clip displayed the vehicle’s infotainment screen with a flashing red warning reading “Tesla Cybertruck De-Activated” and instructing the driver to “comply with cease & desist to re-activate.”
Alongside the video, the rapper later posted an image of a supposed cease-and-desist letter from Tesla’s Vice President of Legal, Dinna Eskin, accusing him of “unauthorized use of Tesla’s intellectual property” in a music video. The post quickly spread across social media, drawing thousands of reactions and fueling anti-Tesla commentary online.
However, social media users soon spotted multiple inconsistencies. The alleged Tesla letter began with “We represent Tesla,” an unusual phrase for correspondence signed by in-house counsel. It also listed Eskin’s outdated title, “Sr. Director and Deputy General Counsel,” instead of her current position as VP of Legal.
Additionally, the warning message on the Cybertruck’s screen didn’t match Tesla’s standard in-vehicle alert formatting.
On Monday, Tesla addressed the growing speculation with a direct post on X, and a reply to the video itself on Instagram: “This is fake – that’s not our screen. Tesla does NOT disable vehicles remotely.” The statement effectively ended any credibility the video may have had, though the clip continues to circulate on social media.
The incident highlights how quickly misinformation can spread online, especially when it taps into existing skepticism toward high-profile companies like Tesla. Even with clear evidence of fabrication, viral hoaxes often continue to gain traction long after they’ve been debunked — a reality Tesla has had to navigate repeatedly in the era of social media-fueled narratives.
This is fake – that’s not our screen.
— Tesla (@Tesla) August 11, 2025
Tesla does NOT disable vehicles remotely. https://t.co/QFOLG74AJI
