In a moment that has captured the internet’s attention, Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, has once again made headlines with a surprising act of generosity. On Wednesday evening, Musk handed over the keys to a brand-new Tesla Model 3 to a pizza delivery driver who had been publicly mocked for driving an old, beat-up car while making a delivery near Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin. The gesture, which unfolded in front of a crowd of onlookers, has sparked widespread discussion about class disparity, the power of kindness, and Musk’s polarizing public image in 2025—a year marked by his controversial political involvement and declining Tesla sales.
A Humiliating Encounter Goes Viral
The incident began on the evening of May 14, 2025, when 27-year-old Carlos Rivera, a delivery driver for Southside Flying Pizza in Austin, arrived at a luxury apartment complex near the Tesla Gigafactory to drop off an order. Rivera, who has worked as a delivery driver for three years to support his young family, was driving his 1998 Honda Civic—a car he affectionately calls “Old Faithful” despite its visible rust, dented bumper, and sputtering engine. As he parked to deliver the pizza, a group of young professionals exiting a nearby Tesla Model Y began laughing and pointing at his vehicle.
“Look at this guy’s car—it’s older than my grandpa!” one of them shouted, prompting laughter from the group. Another added, “How do you even deliver pizzas in that thing? It looks like it’s about to fall apart!” Rivera, overhearing the comments, felt a sting of humiliation but kept his composure, delivering the pizza and returning to his car. Unbeknownst to him, one of the onlookers recorded the interaction and posted the video on TikTok, where it quickly went viral, amassing over 5 million views in 24 hours. The clip sparked a heated debate online, with some users joining in the mockery while others defended Rivera, calling out the group’s classist behavior.
Rivera later shared his perspective in an interview with The Austin Chronicle. “I’ve been saving up to fix my car, but it’s hard with rent, bills, and taking care of my wife and daughter,” he said. “I don’t need a fancy car to do my job—I just need something that gets me around. But hearing those comments hurt. It made me feel like I didn’t belong there.”
An Unexpected Encounter with Elon Musk
The story might have ended as just another viral moment of online shaming, but fate—and Elon Musk—had other plans. On the evening of May 15, Musk was leaving the Tesla Gigafactory after a late meeting when he noticed a small crowd gathered near the entrance. Rivera had just arrived to deliver another order, this time to a Tesla employee, and his Honda Civic caught Musk’s eye. Having seen the viral video earlier that day while scrolling X—Musk’s social media platform of choice—he recognized Rivera and approached him.
“I saw what happened to you online,” Musk said, according to witnesses. “It’s not right for people to laugh at someone who’s working hard. You’re out here delivering pizzas, keeping people fed—that’s real work.” Musk then pulled out a set of keys from his pocket and handed them to Rivera, saying, “Take this. It’s a Tesla Model 3. You deserve better than what you’ve got.” The crowd erupted in cheers as Rivera, visibly stunned, accepted the keys to a sleek, silver Model 3 valued at approximately $40,000.
The moment was captured on video by a Tesla employee and shared on X, where it quickly amassed over 20 million views. In the clip, Rivera can be heard saying, “I don’t even know what to say—this is unreal. Thank you, Mr. Musk.” Musk, dressed in his signature black jacket, smiled briefly before returning to the Gigafactory, leaving Rivera to process his unexpected gift.
A Tale of Two Narratives
Musk’s gesture has elicited a polarized response, reflecting the complex public perception of the billionaire in 2025. For some, the act is a heartwarming display of generosity from a man known for his bold, often theatrical actions. Musk, after all, has a history of making grand gestures—most notably launching his personal Tesla Roadster into space in 2018 as part of a SpaceX demonstration. Supporters on X praised Musk, with one user writing, “This is why Elon is a legend—he sees someone getting mocked and steps up with a new car. That’s real leadership.” Others highlighted the irony of a pizza delivery driver receiving a Tesla, noting Musk’s earlier investments in autonomous delivery technology, such as his support for companies like Refraction AI, which has been testing pizza delivery robots in Austin.
Rivera, for his part, expressed gratitude in a follow-up interview with KXAN News. “I never thought something like this would happen to me,” he said. “This car isn’t just a car—it’s a lifeline. It means I can work without worrying if my car will break down, and maybe even take my family on a little trip.” He plans to use the Model 3 for both deliveries and personal use, though he admitted he’ll need to learn how to navigate Tesla’s charging network, a challenge he’s eager to tackle with the help of local Tesla owners’ groups.
However, not everyone sees Musk’s actions as purely altruistic. Critics argue that the gesture is a calculated PR move at a time when Musk and Tesla are facing significant challenges. Tesla’s sales declined by 1.1% in 2024, the first annual drop in the company’s history, amid a competitive electric vehicle market and backlash over Musk’s political involvement (Los Angeles Times, 2025-03-13). As a senior advisor to President Donald Trump, leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has drawn protests for his role in federal budget cuts, and his public support for controversial figures has alienated some Tesla customers. Many drivers, particularly in liberal-leaning areas, have expressed buyer’s remorse, with some even selling their Teslas at a loss due to declining resale values (The Guardian, 2025-04-03).
“This feels like a publicity stunt to distract from Tesla’s bigger problems,” said automotive analyst Maria Torres. “Musk knows how to play to the crowd—he’s done it before with stunts like sending his Roadster into space. Gifting a car to a struggling delivery driver makes for a great headline, but it doesn’t address the systemic issues Tesla is facing, like falling sales and customer dissatisfaction.” Some online commentators echoed this sentiment, with one X user writing, “Musk gives one guy a car while his company’s stock tanks and his policies hurt millions. Nice optics, but it’s not enough.”
A Deeper Look at Class and Kindness
The incident also shines a light on broader societal issues, particularly the class disparity highlighted by Rivera’s initial humiliation. Delivery drivers like Rivera often work long hours for modest pay, relying on tips to make ends meet—a reality underscored by a 2021 incident where a Domino’s driver in Florida was filmed breaking down after receiving no tip (Inside Edition, 2021-02-28). Rivera’s 1998 Honda Civic, while a source of mockery for some, was a symbol of his resilience, a vehicle he kept running through sheer determination to provide for his family.
The group’s ridicule of Rivera’s car reflects a growing divide between the affluent tech elite—many of whom can afford Teslas—and the working-class individuals who keep cities running through essential services like food delivery. Austin, a booming tech hub where Musk has a significant presence with both Tesla’s Gigafactory and SpaceX’s Starbase, has seen this divide widen in recent years. The city’s “Keep Austin Weird” motto feels increasingly out of reach as gentrification and corporate influence reshape the area, a tension also evident in the use of autonomous pizza delivery robots by companies like Refraction AI (CNBC, 2021-07-10).
Musk’s act of kindness, while a boon for Rivera, raises questions about the systemic inequities that made the moment possible in the first place. “It’s great that Carlos got a new car, but what about the thousands of other delivery drivers struggling with old vehicles and low wages?” said labor advocate Elena Martinez. “One-off gestures don’t fix the bigger problem—we need better pay, better working conditions, and a society that doesn’t mock people for being working-class.”
Musk’s Legacy in 2025
The pizza delivery incident also reflects the duality of Musk’s public image in 2025. On one hand, he remains a visionary entrepreneur whose companies have reshaped industries, from electric vehicles to space travel. Tesla’s Model 3, the car gifted to Rivera, is a symbol of that innovation, offering a sustainable alternative to gas-powered vehicles—a mission Musk has championed since Tesla’s inception (Tesla.com, 2021-12-24). On the other hand, Musk’s recent political involvement and polarizing statements have damaged his reputation among some former supporters. His endorsement of controversial figures and his role in Trump’s administration have led to protests and declining Tesla sales, with many customers feeling “trapped” by their association with the brand (The Guardian, 2025-04-03).
For Rivera, however, Musk’s gesture transcends the controversies. “I don’t care about the politics,” he said. “To me, he’s the guy who saw me when I felt invisible and gave me a chance to keep going. That’s what matters.” As Rivera drove off in his new Tesla Model 3, the crowd at the Gigafactory cheered—a moment of hope in a city, and a country, grappling with division and uncertainty. Whether Musk’s act will be remembered as a genuine act of kindness or a fleeting distraction remains to be seen, but for one pizza delivery driver in Austin, it’s a new beginning that he’ll never forget.
