Featured Image Credit: Chance Yeh / Stringer via Getty
MKBHD has learned why you don't mess with the Big T, as the top tech YouTuber has apparently been shunned by Tesla after he decided to sell his controversial Cybertruck. It's fair to say that Tesla's apocalyptic vehicle has faced something of a baptism of fire, with things getting off to a troubled start when chief designer Franz von Holzhausen smashed a window at the vehicle's 2019 reveal event.
Since then, Tesla has been lambasted for everything from production being halted as parts fell off to potential lighting flaws, questions about its bulletproof credentials to reports that it's sitting on $800 million of unsold Cybertrucks.
Others love their angular beast, with many saying it saves them a ridiculous amount of money in fuel costs, and others using it as a literal home on wheels. One person seemingly done with their Cybertruck experience is Marques "MKBHD" Brownlee, who is something of a big deal in the world of tech. Known for his YouTube channel and boasting some 20.8 million subscribers, MKBHD passing judgment on your product has the potential to do some serious promotion or damage.
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Having previously butted heads with Tesla after canceling his long-awaited Roadster order and saying he'd shave his head if robotaxi was released before 2027, Brownlee now claims that Tesla has completely stopped talking to him since he sold his Cybertruck.
In a recent TikTok, MKBHD said he had to source his own Tesla Model Y Performance for a January 2026 review. Seen picking up the car from New Jersey EV dealer George Saliba, Browlee explained: "Some people on Twitter posted about me selling my Cybertruck, and seemed to think I’ve turned against Tesla or something. Elon unfollows me on Twitter. Everyone goes nuts. I never hear from Tesla again.”
The video was posted by George Saliba, with MKBHD clarifying: "Tesla stopped talking to me,” Brownlee said, adding that it wasn’t because of a negative review."
Brownlee says he had a Rivian and a Cybertruck, opting to keep the former and putting his Tesla up for sale. This caused a bit of a stir online, with someone reposting an Instagram mentioning his Cybertruck and simply writing 'sold'.
It's important to note that MKBHD appeared to be one of Tesla's preferred content creators, being one of only three who were given early access to the Cybertruck.
Replying to George Saliba's video, one person said: "Cybertrucks start at 60k now. Early adopters are probably in shambles."
Another added: "I think they still owe him a free Tesla Roadster , if they ever actually release it."
A third said: "Driving a Tesla at this point could be the most unpatriotic move of the century. Let’s face it Elon single handedly destroyed our democracy."
Going against Brownlee, someone else concluded: "Nah, nah, nah, this guy made it clear he was getting rid of his Model S and Cybertruck out of spite, there's no misunderstanding."
Ultimately, Brownlee's review of the Model Y Performance was quite a positive one, pointing to plenty of pros despite increased competition from the likes of Rivian. In the review, MKBHD said: "The thing about testing one and actually driving a Tesla for a while, you start to remember all of the ways that Tesla is still ahead of the competition.”
UNILADTech has reached out to Tesla for comment.
