A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, leaving one person dead and seven others with minor injuries.
The blast took place near the hotel’s glass entrance, causing a commotion as the futuristic electric vehicle suddenly erupted into flames. The driver, the sole occupant of the Cybertruck, lost their life in the incident.
Video footage captured the dramatic moment when the stainless steel truck parked at the valet area burst into flames, followed by a series of smaller explosions resembling fireworks. The explosion caused visible damage to the vehicle and set off alarm bells across the city.
Musk suggests terror link
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, was quick to address the incident, suggesting it could have been a deliberate act of terrorism. He linked the explosion to another recent attack in New Orleans involving a Ford F-150 rigged with explosives.
Musk pointed out that both vehicles were rented through the car-sharing service Turo, hinting at a potential connection between the two events.
Appears likely to be an act of terrorism.
Both this Cybertruck and the F-150 suicide bomb in New Orleans were rented from Turo. Perhaps they are linked in some way. https://t.co/MM6ehJO3SG
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2025
In his social media posts, Musk emphasised that the Cybertruck itself was not at fault. He stated that vehicle telemetry indicated everything was functioning correctly at the time of the blast, ruling out technical failure as a cause. Musk also noted that the explosion was likely caused by fireworks or a bomb placed in the truck’s bed.
🚨 #BREAKING: Las Vegas Police release new video of the exploded Cybertruck outside of the Trump Hotel, showing explosive ordinances in the back
Police credited the lack of damage to the Trump Hotel to the strength of the Cybertruck, as it remained mostly intact.
“The explosion… pic.twitter.com/lajQZX2pOI
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 2, 2025
Authorities investigate possible terror motive
Las Vegas law enforcement is treating the explosion as a serious incident but has yet to confirm whether it qualifies as a terror attack. Sources cited by major US media outlets have suggested that terrorism is one line of inquiry. Investigators are working to piece together the sequence of events, including how explosives ended up in the vehicle and who might be responsible.
The sheriff overseeing the investigation described the explosion as significant, with the blast’s impact extending beyond the immediate vicinity. Despite the shock of the event, the injuries sustained by bystanders were reportedly minor, with no one else in critical condition.
Questions surrounding Elon Musk & Donald Trump’s safety
The incident has sparked debates about safety and the broader implications for high-profile locations like the Trump Hotel. Tesla fans have rallied behind Musk’s assertion that the Cybertruck was not the cause of the explosion, but the event has raised questions about the risks associated with using shared vehicles for malicious purposes.
As the investigation continues, the bizarre and unsettling nature of this explosion has left many wondering about the motives behind it and whether it signals a troubling new trend. For now, authorities are keeping tight-lipped, promising updates as they unfold.