Gary Zhou 
Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk’s Cybertruck Pledge – Musk has seemingly confirmed he will send a Tesla Cybertruck to 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a Houston teen battling brain cancer.
- Direct Request to Musk – During a CNN interview, DJ shared that he asked Musk for a Cybertruck, to which Musk responded positively. A heart emoji from Musk on X further suggested he would fulfill the request.
- DJ’s Cancer Battle – Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare and incurable brain and spine cancer, DJ has undergone 13 surgeries and outlived his initial five-month prognosis.
- Honor from Trump & Secret Service – DJ was honored by former President Donald Trump during a speech to Congress and received an honorary badge from U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran.
- Political Reactions – While DJ’s story has inspired many, it has also sparked controversy. MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace made a remark referencing the January 6 riots, while some critics on X mocked the honorary badge and made political jokes at DJ’s expense.
- Support Amid Divisiveness – Despite the political discourse, DJ’s resilience and unwavering spirit continue to earn recognition, with Musk’s Cybertruck pledge serving as a notable show of support.
Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed that he will be sending a Tesla Cybertruck to Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old Houston boy battling brain cancer. The teen, who was recognized as an honorary Secret Service member by former U.S. President Donald Trump during his recent address to Congress, made the request directly to Musk.
A Chance Meeting
The Cybertruck pledge came up during a brief interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, where DJ shared that he had asked Musk for the vehicle.
“I said, ‘can you do me a big favor, when you get back to Houston can you send us a Cybertruck down there?’” DJ recounted.
According to Daniel, Musk responded positively. The exchange was later highlighted by Collins in a post on X, to which Musk reacted with a heart emoji—suggesting that he intends to follow through on the request.
Teen’s Cancer Battle Inspires
Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare and incurable form of brain and spine cancer, Daniel has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12. Despite the grim prognosis, he has outlived his original five-month survival estimate.
Trump spotlighted DJ’s resilience during his speech, stating, “Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago. Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true.”
As part of the evening’s honors, DJ officially received an honorary badge from U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran, earning applause from those in attendance.
A Story That Sparks Debate
While DJ’s story has inspired many, Trump’s focus on the teen has also drawn criticism. MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace made a controversial remark about Daniel’s passion for law enforcement, referencing the January 6 riots and stating she hopes he “never has to defend the U.S. Capitol against Trump supporters.”
Criticism has also emerged on X, where anti-Musk and anti-Trump users have made jokes about the honorary badge. Some have mockingly referred to the 13-year-old as a “DEI hire” while suggesting his recognition should be investigated.
Despite the divisive discourse, DJ’s story remains one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering spirit. With Musk’s apparent commitment to sending him a Cybertruck, the young cancer fighter is set to receive yet another show of support from one of the world’s most high-profile figures.
