At least one person was killed and seven wounded when a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside a hotel belonging to US President-elect Donald Trump in Las Vegas. According to various reports, the electric vehicle pulled up to the Trump International Hotel’s glass entrance before a “large explosion.”
A video shared by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, shows the stainless steel truck parked at the hotel entrance before bursting into flames, followed by smaller explosions that appeared similar to fireworks.
The Billionaire pointed out an alleged connection between the explosion of a Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas and attack in New Orleans. According to Musk, both the vehicles were rented out from the place car rental site. In a post, soon after the explosion, Tesla CEO accused that the explosion in Las Vegas appears to be an act of terrorism.
Musk also said that the electric vehicle’s design minimised the blast’s impact, sparing the hotel from significant damage.
“Terrorists Picked The Wrong Vehicle”
He took to X to share the video, accompanied by a note stating, “The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. The Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken.” Musk’s reaction came after the police released a new video of the blast, showing that the exterior of the Cybertruck remained mostly intact after the attack.
Police have suggested that the Cybertruck limited the damage inside the valet area by directing most of the blast upwards, through the truck, and out. They also noted that the glass doors at the Trump hotel were not even broken.
Tesla Cybertruck which erupted in flames outside the Trump International Hotel’s main entrance is reportedly rented through the car-sharing platform Turo. The injured individuals suffered minor injuries, and the hotel was evacuated as a precaution.
The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards.
Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken. https://t.co/9vj1JdcRZV
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 2, 2025
According to various reports, Investigators confirmed that the explosion originated from materials stored in the truck’s bed, including fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel. These were connected to a detonation system believed to have been controlled by the driver.
FBI Probing ‘Terror’ Angle
The FBI is investigating a possible terror angle in the blast. Witness videos, captured both inside and outside the hotel, show the vehicle bursting into flames just outside the building.
This incident occurred only hours after a man drove a truck into a crowd of New Year’s Day celebrants in New Orleans, resulting in the deaths of 15 people.
Trump International Hotel
The Trump International hotel in Las Vegas is part of the Trump Organisation, the company of President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to return as the US President on January 20. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a prominent supporter of Trump in his 2024 presidential campaign, is also an adviser to the incoming president.
