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Jake Owen is sporting a new set of wheels on Thursday (July 24) after “getting a lot of hate” for driving a Tesla Cybertruck.
Owen posed for a photo on a bicycle in front of the Cybertruck. He shared the snapshot on his Instagram story and wrote: “Maybe I’ll just ride my ’87 GT today. You can’t hate on something this rad.” He set it to “Thunder in Your Heart” by John Farnham, featured in the 80s film, Rad.
The country star first spoke about the reactions to his Cybertruck in a video he shared on Tuesday (July 22). He said he drove his Toyota 4Runner to pick up a Starbucks order, and on that day, he and another customer shared “a really cool experience,” talking about “how awesome Toyota 4Runners are,” he said. Owen drove his Cybertruck to pick up a coffee order a few days later, and that time, another stranger said to him, “f*** you, traitor.” Owen said at the end of that clip, “I guess if you wanna get picked on, drive a Cybertruck. If you don’t wanna get picked on, just go back to the 2000 Toyota 4Runner.”
On Wednesday (July 23), Owen said on his Instagram story that he’s “already getting hate again today. …I’m starting to feel the hatred in this country.” Hours later, he posted another video on Instagram to share “another example of why I’m reconsidering driving around in a cyber vehicle.”
Owen recorded that update, which he shared on TikTok on Thursday, while sitting in the Cybertruck with his daughter, 12, after meeting a friend for dinner. The country artist said he told his friend, “I think I might have to get rid of this Cybertruck. …I mean, it does look a little ridiculous. Let’s just be honest. But I’m getting a lot of hate. I really am.” Owen noticed a note tucked under the windshield wiper of the truck when he and his daughter returned to the vehicle after dinner. At first, Owen through, “maybe it’s somebody that is being nice.” However, the handwritten message reads: “This car makes you look so f***ing stupid.” Owen pointed out that the note is signed with a heart.
“This is getting ridiculous, guys. Be safe out there. I’m just living my life. I just came to get some pasta, and to whoever left me this note, I love you. I’ll hug you the next time I see you. I promise I’m a good dude, but maybe I do look stupid. See ya.”