Tesla smart TVs are real... and not what you might think

In a recent deep-dive, Caleb Denison investigated the buzz surrounding so-called Tesla TVs, a product many assumed was the latest disruptive move from Elon Musk and his company, Tesla Inc. However, as Denison uncovered, these TVs have nothing to do with Musk or the electric vehicle giant. Instead, they are products from Tesla Appliances, a Serbian electronics company operating under the Comtrade Group. While these televisions are legitimate and primarily sold in Eastern Europe, a wave of deceptive online content has misled people into believing Musk is behind them. AI-generated videos, fabricated articles, and cleverly mixed real footage have fueled a false narrative, making it seem like Tesla is about to revolutionize the TV industry with ultra-cheap, high-tech displays.

The scam aspect emerges from websites and social media posts falsely linking Elon Musk to these TVs, often promoting them at unbelievably low prices—such as $200 for a 75-inch model. This follows a pattern seen in previous scams, like the so-called Tesla Space Heater, which falsely used Musk’s name to sell a low-quality product at an inflated price. The deceptive marketing uses AI-generated voices, deepfake content, and fake customer reviews to push the illusion that these TVs are ground-breaking innovations from Musk’s Tesla. In reality, buyers risk either receiving an unknown, untested product from overseas or worse—paying and receiving nothing at all, with little recourse to get their money back.

The Serbian company mentioned above is certainly not the only brand attempting to make a quick buck by using dodgy tactics; there's also Tesla Innovation and many more.

Denison’s investigation serves as a cautionary tale about modern online scams. He emphasizes key red flags: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is; if a product isn’t available from reputable retailers, be skeptical; and if trusted tech reviewers aren’t talking about it, question its legitimacy. The Tesla TV scam highlights how fake AI-generated content and misleading branding can dupe unsuspecting buyers. While Tesla-branded TVs do exist, they are not affiliated with Elon Musk, and the hype surrounding them is part of an elaborate misinformation campaign. This case underscores the importance of verifying sources, questioning online claims, and staying vigilant against an increasingly sophisticated world of digital deception.