Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has taken public steps to address mounting public scrutiny over a recently imported Tesla Cybertruck by releasing an official Seaboard Marine bill of lading that explicitly names the Office of the Prime Minister as the designated consignee of the vehicle. The move comes in direct response to weeks of circulating questions and unsubstantiated claims regarding the recipient of the futuristic electric pickup, which had sparked widespread debate across local political circles and social media platforms. Browne did not mince words when addressing critics he accused of intentionally peddling misleading narratives for self-serving attention. “To the attention seeking political activists who know better, but are spreading disinformation — Get a blasted life,” Browne stated publicly, pushing back against what he framed as a deliberate misinformation campaign targeting his administration. The verified shipping document, dated October 29, 2026, lists Tesla Inc.’s Austin, Texas, headquarters as the official shipper, with the Office of the Prime Minister’s physical address on Queen Elizabeth Highway in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, marked as the receiving party. Cargo details confirm the shipment contained a single 2026 model Tesla Cybertruck, with the vessel having loaded the vehicle at the Port of Miami before discharging it at the Port of St. John’s. While the newly disclosed bill of lading confirms the consignee is the prime minister’s official government office, the document alone does not resolve all outstanding public questions surrounding the vehicle’s acquisition. No details are included on the paperwork to confirm whether the Cybertruck was donated to the government or purchased through a formal procurement process, nor does it clarify the full terms of the acquisition or the vehicle’s registered legal owner. Additionally, the document only accounts for one Cybertruck, and provides no confirmation on whether additional similar vehicles may have been imported via separate, unreported shipments or alternative arrangements. The public concerns that prompted Browne’s disclosure range from unsubstantiated claims that the vehicle was a personal gift to the prime minister rather than a government asset, to questions about the total number of vehicles imported, who will cover ongoing operational and maintenance costs, and whether public taxpayer funds were used to cover any purchase, import duties, or associated fees. While the shipping manifest does list standard freight and handling charges, it omits any reference to the Cybertruck’s purchase price, the monetary value of a potential donation, or the source of funds used to cover any import-related expenses. Government transparency advocates note that further official records, including a formal donation agreement, national vehicle registration documentation, or public government asset inventory logs, will be required to fully resolve remaining ambiguities around ownership and the full terms under which the electric vehicle was received.
Antigua and Barbuda PM releases shipping document amid Cybertruck ownership questions
