logo
NBA star Gilbert Arenas claims son Alijah Arenas' Tesla Cybertruck malfunctioned, leading to terrifying crash

NBA star Gilbert Arenas claims son Alijah Arenas' Tesla Cybertruck malfunctioned, leading to terrifying crash

Time of India20-05-2025

Image credit: Getty Images
Former NBA player
Gilbert Arenas
has spoken out about his 18-year-old son and USC commit
Alijah Arenas
' terrifying
Tesla Cybertruck
crash, which left him injured and hospitalized for days. He blamed the vehicle after his son hit a fire hydrant while driving home in the early hours of the morning. The car caught fire, and a witness rescued him from the burning vehicle. Fortunately, the teenager avoided sustaining severe injuries.
Gilbert Arenas talks about Alijah Arenas' Tesla Cybertruck crash
Talking about the car crash, Gilbert Arenas said during an appearance on Matt Barnes' All The Smoke podcast, 'Long story short, the car malfunctioned on him. The steering wheel went limp and he ran right into a tree.' He also claimed that the windows of the
Tesla
Cybertruck were bulletproof and couldn't be broken to get him out.
The Arenas family had shared the rescuer's account in their statement. It quoted the rescuer as saying: 'I tried to break the window, but it wouldn't give. Then I saw one of the windows was cracked just enough, and we used everything we had to bend it and pull him out.'
Alijah Arenas Car Crash Video Shows Fiery Wreck, Star Writhing On Ground | TMZ Sports
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World
5minstory.com
Undo
When news of Alijah Arenas' crash was shared on
Reddit
, many expressed concern over the Tesla Cybertruck's safety issues. A Reddit user commented, 'Seemed like they were designed to keep people out, which is a problem in situations like this.' Another wrote, 'But the truck is bullet resistant for all those times you never get shot at! Very smart design for safety!'
Commenting on the Arenas family's statement, a Reddit user wrote, 'It reads like the Cybertruck's hardened windows almost killed him. Great car.' One person said, 'Sounds like Alijah is very lucky there was a bystander and a cracked window. Everything I've seen and heard about the Cybertrucks, seems like it's almost impossible to not only get in but get out as well. Insane that those deathtraps are on the road. Prayers to the Arenas family.'
Also Read:
Gilbert Arenas' son Alijah Arenas hospitalized following Tesla Cybertruck crash, graphic footage surfaces
Some even called for a ban on the vehicle. 'Unfortunately it'll be at least four years before regulators actually will be able to do anything about it,' wrote a Reddit user. 'Get these things off the road man, the stories are terrifying,' said another.
Get
IPL 2025
match
schedules
,
squads
,
points table
, and live scores for
CSK
,
MI
,
RCB
,
KKR
,
SRH
,
LSG
,
DC
,
GT
,
PBKS
, and
RR
. Check the latest
IPL Orange Cap
and
Purple Cap
standings.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How the cybertruck came to embody Tesla's problems
How the cybertruck came to embody Tesla's problems

Mint

time33 minutes ago

  • Mint

How the cybertruck came to embody Tesla's problems

The bromance between Elon Musk and President Trump is ending at a difficult time for Tesla. The electric-vehicle maker lost roughly $150 billion of market value Thursday—its biggest ever drop—after the Tesla CEO and Trump traded insults. Sales of Teslas have slumped this year. Tariffs could disrupt the supply of key components. The sprawling Republican tax-and-spending bill would end tax credits for EV buyers. And Tesla's Cybertruck has been a disappointment. Musk set high expectations for the Cybertruck, telling investors it would be Tesla's 'best product ever." The angular, stainless steel pickup was supposed to generate buzz for Tesla by showcasing new technology and unlocking the lucrative truck market. Instead, it has become synonymous with Musk's polarizing stint in politics, exposing some owners to graffiti or middle fingers from other drivers. And its reputation has been tarnished among Tesla fans because of a spate of recalls and manufacturing issues that have resulted in cycles of repairs. In the U.S., the company sold fewer than 40,000 Cybertrucks in 2024—well below Musk's ultimate goal of 250,000 a year. In the first quarter of 2025, Tesla sold around 7,100 Cybertrucks in the U.S., according to registration data from S&P Global Mobility. Ford's F-150 Lightning pickup outsold it. In an effort to boost sales, Tesla has rolled out lower-price versions of the truck and started offering buyers incentives such as 0% financing and free upgrades. Almost as soon as the $100,000 Cybertruck hit the road, quality problems began to multiply. Reports on social media cited cracked windshields and spotting from so-called rail dust, orange discoloration similar to rust. In its first year, Tesla recalled the truck seven times to fix dangerous defects. In March, with large metal panels falling off the trucks, the tally rose to eight. Some of the quality problems were known and documented internally before the truck went on sale, including issues with the accelerator pad and windshield wiper that later triggered recalls, said former employees who worked on the Cybertruck. But there was pressure inside Tesla to get the truck to market quickly, according to these employees. Tesla didn't respond to requests for comment. 'Elon Musk will tell you the biggest professional mistake was the falcon doors on the Model X," said David Fick, a longtime Tesla owner who got his Cybertruck in March. He referred to the complex door design that opens upward and hinges at the roof. 'I believe that the Cybertruck is going to go down as an even bigger corporate stumble." The retired banker in Boynton Beach, Fla., chose to wait more than a year to buy his Cybertruck, hopeful that many of the biggest issues would be identified before he drove his off the lot. 'They do a lot of bleeding-edge stuff where they rush to the market and then you're a beta tester as an owner," Fick said. He paid about $72,000 for the car, plus $7,300 for window tinting and a custom wrap for exterior trim panels known as cant rails, covering his new car in a metallic maroon color. Soon after, Tesla recalled cant rails because they could become unglued. 'I've had tons of recalls on my Teslas over the years," said Fick, who added that the cars are worth the hassle. 'Eighty percent were fixed by [software] updates, but these are physical things we are dealing with now." Musk unveiled the prototype for the Cybertruck in 2019. At the time, he said it would cost $39,900, with a battery range of up to 500 miles—an ambitious combination that would be a stretch for any EV maker. Work on the vehicle was delayed a couple of years, leaving engineering and manufacturing teams with only a few months to do final testing before the trucks went to customers, former employees said. Musk tried to temper expectations around how quickly Tesla could increase production, given its unique design. 'There is always some chance that Cybertruck will flop, because it is so unlike anything else," he wrote on social media in July 2021. Still, he promoted some of its most unusual features, including his dream of making the car amphibious. Former employees said they took Musk's social posts as orders, but the engineering proved difficult. By 2022, it was clear internally that Cybertruck wouldn't be able to meet all Musk's criteria, so engineers scrapped an early design and started over—developing a smaller, landlocked version of the truck, the people said. After about a year and a half of testing, Tesla delivered the first Cybertrucks to a dozen or so customers in late November 2023. An early version of the truck started at $100,000 and had an estimated range of 318 miles. Two months later, Tesla issued its first recall on the vehicle: a software update that required the company to increase the size of the font on a warning system used across its fleet. It was the first of three recalls that Tesla addressed on the Cybertruck through over-the-air updates to its software. Cybertruck's problems couldn't be fixed by software updates alone. In April 2024, Tesla issued a recall for the accelerator pedal. The company had received a notice from a customer complaining that the accelerator had gotten stuck. Tesla found that the pad attached to the long pedal could dislodge and get stuck in the trim above the pedal, causing the car to accelerate. An internal investigation found the issue was the result of an 'unapproved change," in which Tesla employees used soap as a lubricant to attach the pad, according to the recall notice. Inside Tesla, the accelerator pad had been a known issue starting with the prototype, according to an employee who worked on the part. The manufacturing team also identified the part as problematic, this person said. Tesla also had problems with the Cybertruck's expansive windshield, which measured nearly 6 square feet. Sometimes the heavy glass would break, two employees said. The glass either arrived cracked from the supplier in Mexico or from handling at the Austin, Texas, facility, they said. Some owners took to social media to describe the glass cracking as soon as they drove off the lot, or while they wiped the inside of their windshield. The windshield required a large windshield wiper measuring 50 inches long. In June 2024, Tesla issued a recall on the wipers, whose motors Tesla found had been overstressed by testing. The wiper had been flagged nearly a year before, two people who worked on the Cybertruck said. It was one of the first issues identified on the vehicles, at which point it was classified as a 'gating issue," which meant that it needed to be resolved before production could move forward. Reid Tomasko, a 25-year-old YouTube creator, took his Cybertruck on a cross-country trip, during which it performed perfectly, he said. Then came winter in New Hampshire. He was driving near his home in Lebanon, N.H., in February when a metal panel flew off the side of his truck. In March, Tesla issued a recall affecting most of the Cybertrucks it had produced—more than 46,000. The problem involved adhesive that could become brittle in extreme weather, causing exterior trim panels called cant rails to dislodge. Inspecting his truck, Tomasko said he found loose connections on almost every panel that used the adhesive, including the large pieces of stainless steel over the rear wheels, the front fender and the front doors. 'I was wondering, why are they not recalling the other panels?" Tomasko said. After replacing several panels, Tesla offered to buy back Tomasko's truck for nearly all of the $102,000 that he paid, he said. He accepted. 'I am planning on getting a newer one for cheaper soon," he said. Write to Becky Peterson at

From foes to friends to foes again: What are ten key moments in Trump-Musk fickle relationship?
From foes to friends to foes again: What are ten key moments in Trump-Musk fickle relationship?

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

From foes to friends to foes again: What are ten key moments in Trump-Musk fickle relationship?

Image credit: AP In a dramatic 48-hour unraveling, the relationship between US President Donald Trump and billionnaire Elon Musk collapsed spectacularly in full public view. The clash began when Musk openly criticized Trump's proposed 'big beautiful bill,' calling it fiscally irresponsible and disconnected from innovation-driven policy. Trump fired back with threats to revoke federal subsidies and government contracts for Musk's companies, framing the tech billionaire as ungrateful and disloyal. Musk, in turn, escalated the feud, accusing Trump of deception, failed leadership, and clinging to outdated political narratives. What was once a transactional alliance between political power and tech influence has now devolved into a high-profile feud playing out across social media platforms, with implications for business, politics, and the 2024 presidential landscape. However, their relationship has swung from initial disagreements, to standing firmly by each other, and eventually drifting apart once again. Here's a lookback into their hot and cold relationship: 2016: When Musk felt Trump 'not right guy' for US There was a time, not long ago, when Musk publicly noted that Trump's lacked the "character that reflects well on the United States". He had appraised Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton over Republican Donald Trump. "I feel a bit stronger that he is not the right guy," Musk had said about Trump. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3BHK Transformation Possible for ₹4.5 Lakh? HomeLane Get Quote Undo "He doesn't seem to have the sort of character that reflects well on the United States," he had said. "I don't think this is the finest moment in our democracy," the Tesla CEO added. 2017: Musk joins, then quits Trump's administration Elon Musk left Donald Trump's administration during his first term over differences in opinions on climate change. Musk was a part of a handful of White House advisory boards, including Trump's "manufacturing jobs council." "Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world," he had said. 2020: Trump calls Musk 'one of our great brains' In 2020, Trump publicly praised Musk during a SpaceX launch, calling him 'one of our great brains' and commending his achievements. However, despite occasional tensions, Musk maintained close ties with the federal government through lucrative SpaceX contracts with Nasa and other agencies. 2022: When Trump called Musk a 'bulls*** artist' Trump, during a rally in 2022, had criticised Musk calling him a "bulls*** artist" for supporting the Democrats in 2016 Presidential elections. 'He said the other day, 'Oh, I've never voted for a Republican'. I said, 'I didn't know that.' He told me he voted for me, so he's another bulls*** artist,' he had said. Two months after this incident, Musk, who bought X, formerly known as Twitter, lifted ban on Trump's social media account. His account was suspended in 2021 following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, as X's previous management cited the risk of incitement to violence in the wake of the deadly riot led by Trump's supporters. July 2024: Musk's first official endorsement for Trump The X owner's first official endorsement for Trump came on July 13, 2024 (local time), after the then GOP presidential nominee survived an assassination attempt. "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery," Musk had said. Musk then actively supported Trump's campaign, even appearing alongside him on the trail, and contributed around $277 million to boost Trump and other Republican candidates — primarily through a super PAC he backs, known as America PAC, according to campaign finance records, CBS News reported. The contribution made Musk the single largest donor to either party in the 2024 election cycle, according to federal election commission filings. December 2024: With Trump in office, 'a star is born- Elon' After securing victory in the US presidential elections, Trump, in his victory speech, gave a special mention to Musk saying: 'We have a new star; a star is born- Elon.' 'He's an amazing guy. We were sitting together tonight. You know, he spent two weeks in Philadelphia, in different parts of Pennsylvania, campaigning,' he had said. January 2025: Musk back in Trump admin, spearheading DOGE Trump appointed Musk to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role focused on reducing federal spending. However, the initiative fell significantly short of Musk's ambitious target of saving $1 trillion. And thus began the beginning of a relationship that led Musk publicly professing his love for Trump: "I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man," he had said. The two leaders made a joint appearance in the Oval Office, where they took questions from the press. Musk was accompanied by his son during the visit. July: Musk criticises 'big beautiful bill' after exiting Trump government Days after exiting Trump administration, Musk took on 'big beautiful bill' saying: "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong." T he outspoken protest marked Musk's first public break with Trump since stepping down from his administration role last week. "Call your Senator, Call your Congressman, Bankrupting America is NOT ok! KILL the BILL," he said. Tensions flared even further when Musk claimed credit for Trump's 2024 victory and dismissed the former president's remarks with a blunt 'Whatever.' 'Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate," Musk claimed. In retaliation, Trump accused Musk of going 'crazy' after losing influence and threatened to cut federal subsidies to Musk's companies. "Elon was 'wearing thin,' I asked him to leave… and he just went CRAZY!' he said. Musk drops 'Epstein files' bomb In a stunning escalation, Musk accused Trump of being named in the Jeffrey Epstein files — a highly controversial and politically explosive topic that continues to cast a long shadow over American public life. 'Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!' he said. "Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out,' he added. He also criticised Trump's tariffs saying: 'The Trump tariffs will cause a recession in the second half of this year.' Musk calls for new 'American Party' Musk called for the launch of a new political party in the US calling it "The American Party". 'Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?' he said. Based on the X poll results, Musk agreed upon the name 'The America Party'. "The people have spoken. A new political party is needed in America to represent the 80% in the middle! And exactly 80% of people agree. This is fate," he added. Given their history of fickle relationship, will they find their ways back to each other, or is it the beginning of the end?

Caught in Trump-Musk crossfire: Tesla stock sinks amid feud; $380bn wiped out — among 2025's biggest losses
Caught in Trump-Musk crossfire: Tesla stock sinks amid feud; $380bn wiped out — among 2025's biggest losses

Time of India

time3 hours ago

  • Time of India

Caught in Trump-Musk crossfire: Tesla stock sinks amid feud; $380bn wiped out — among 2025's biggest losses

The unlikely political marriage between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has ended in a fiery public divorce with Tesla's shares paying the price. The fallout began after Musk openly slammed Trump's new tax-and-spending bill on social media. In response, Trump fired back, threatening to cut off government contracts for both Tesla and SpaceX. The political clash added to Tesla's existing troubles, including slowing electric vehicle demand and Musk's controversial ties to far-right groups. As a result, Tesla is now the worst-performing large-cap stock of the year, with its market capitalisation plunging by 29.3% to $917 billion. The company, which ranked eighth globally in market value at the start of 2025, has now slipped to the tenth spot, as per Reuters report. Tesla's shares had initially surged 29% the week Trump won the 2024 election, fueled by investor optimism over a potentially favorable policy environment. However, since November 6, the stock has returned just 2.3%, compared to a 20% gain in the broader market over the same period—indicating growing investor unease. The White House has since stepped in, reportedly arranging a call with Musk to ease tensions. Despite a small rebound in Tesla shares on Friday, the broader damage appears done. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Descubra o valor de qualquer imóvel — basta digitar o endereço! Valor da casa | Anúncios de pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo Meanwhile, Apple has also faced a tough year, falling to the third most valuable company globally. Its $2.99 trillion market cap reflects a 20% drop this year due to slowing demand in China, AI challenges, and renewed trade tensions under the Trump administration. Tesla share price volatile after Trump-Musk feud Tesla shares plunged 14% on Thursday, wiping out over $150 billion in market value—their biggest single-day loss on record—amid a public feud between Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump. The clash followed Musk's sharp criticism of Trump's tax-and-spending bill, which proposes ending the $7,500 EV subsidy by late 2025. The selloff hit broader markets, including Destiny Tech100 Inc., which holds a significant SpaceX stake, falling 13%. Short sellers gained nearly $4 billion from Thursday's crash, the second-largest single-day profit ever, according to Ortex. However, Tesla shares recovered some ground on Friday. At 9:40 am, the stock climbed 5.2% to $299.46, after Musk appeared open to de-escalating tensions, aligning with investor Bill Ackman's call for peace. Reports also suggest White House aides are arranging a call with Musk to cool the rift. The Thursday crash partly erased earlier gains from Tesla's announcement of a driverless "robotaxi" rollout in Austin, Texas. Still, the stock closed the week down 15%, its worst weekly performance since October 2023. Year-to-date, Tesla shares have dropped 22%, making it the worst performer among the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks, despite remaining the world's most valuable automaker with a market cap of about $1 trillion. Yet its valuation—140 times projected earnings—continues to raise concerns amid growing political risks and regulatory uncertainty. What's gone wrong between Musk & Trump? Elon Musk stepped down from his role in the Trump administration last week after pressure from Tesla shareholders. While the split seemed friendly at first, things quickly turned sour. Since his exit, Musk has openly criticised Trump's key domestic policy—particularly the new tax bill, which he called a "disgusting abomination" on his social media platform, X. He argued that the bill undermines cost-cutting efforts led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a team Musk was closely involved with. In response, Trump accused Musk of being upset over the bill's removal of electric vehicle (EV) tax incentives and claimed Musk turned against him because their once-friendly relationship no longer served his interests. Trump voiced his displeasure on Truth Social, stating: "The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn't do it!" During an Oval Office address, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz present, Trump expressed disappointment in their deteriorating relationship. Trump claimed he had asked Musk to leave, citing his decision to remove the EV mandate. "Elon was 'wearing thin,' I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!" Musk retaliated on X, claiming credit for Trump's 2024 electoral success and criticising his ingratitude. The exchange grew more hostile when Musk referenced Trump's connection to the Epstein files, concluding with "Have a nice day, DJT!" Elon Musk's other companies like SpaceX and Starlink—leaders in space launches and satellite internet—are now under scrutiny because of his political ties. These businesses often rely on favorable regulatory approvals, helped by Musk's government connections. Musk, who donated $300 million to Trump's campaign, claimed Trump's 2024 win would depend on his support. He later criticized Trump for being ungrateful, backed his impeachment, and warned that Trump's global tariffs could push the economy into a recession. Tesla shares have seen major ups and downs since Musk endorsed Trump last July. The stock jumped on hopes of reduced regulation for robotaxis but later dropped due to weak sales and backlash over Musk's political involvement. What analysts say about the Trump-Musk rift? Some analysts believe the Trump-Musk rift may not last long, as it could hurt both sides. "It's a junior high school fight where these best friends are now becoming frenemies," Dan Ives of Wedbush, a well-known Tesla supporter told Bloomberg. "It's a Twilight Zone situation for all investors, because the last thing investors want to see is Trump go from a huge supporter of Musk and Tesla to a foe," he added. Meanwhile, most Congressional Republicans are backing Trump in the fallout. That's a positive sign for the proposed bill, which could remove a key tax credit of up to $7,500 for buyers of some Tesla and other EV models by the end of this year—seven years earlier than planned. According to JPMorgan, if the bill passes, Tesla could lose about $1.2 billion in profit for the year. According to Paul Stanley of Granite Bay Wealth Management, the public disagreement between Trump and Musk increases Tesla's political and reputational risks. He notes that ongoing controversy could affect investor confidence and market stability. "Given that inherent powers of the office of the presidency, I don't see how this could be anything but negative for Tesla and Musk," he said. What's next for Tesla ? Tesla faces a significant milestone with its robotaxi service launch scheduled for June 12 in Austin, Texas. This development is crucial for Musk's strategy to transform the company's focus towards autonomous vehicles and AI technology. Wedbush's Ives describes the upcoming robotaxi launch as the "start of the autonomous vision and the next chapter of golden growth," whilst acknowledging Tesla as "way oversold." He advises investors to maintain patience. "I still believe that they stay friends and supporters of each other, but this is definitely a little white-knuckle period for Tesla investors," Ives added. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store