A Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday has prompted an investigation by local authorities and the FBI, with officials considering the possibility of a terrorist act. The incident, which occurred in the valet area of the hotel, resulted in one fatality-believed to be the driver-and seven injuries. Law enforcement officials have identified the blast as an isolated incident and assured the public that there is no ongoing threat.
The Cybertruck, rented in Colorado and driven to Las Vegas on the same morning, was captured on surveillance cameras driving along Las Vegas Boulevard before stopping in front of the Trump Hotel. Seconds later, the vehicle exploded. The blast, which occurred just after 8:40 a.m., was powerful enough to engulf the truck in flames but did not shatter the glass front doors of the hotel. Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill credited the Cybertruck's unique design for mitigating the extent of the damage, stating, "The fact that this was a Cybertruck really limited the damage that occurred inside of the valet."
Preliminary investigations revealed that the truck's bed contained fireworks, gasoline canisters, and camping fuel, connected to a detonation system believed to be controlled by the driver. Video footage released during a press conference showed charred remnants of the materials, reinforcing suspicions of a planned detonation. The driver's identity has not yet been disclosed, as authorities are working to confirm the identity of the body found inside the vehicle.
New footage shows the Tesla Cybertruck exploding at the entrance of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. WATCH pic.twitter.com/GAnY4DATYp — Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 1, 2025
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has actively participated in the investigation, providing law enforcement with video footage from Tesla charging stations that captured the Cybertruck's journey from Colorado to Las Vegas. Musk, posting on X (formerly Twitter), emphasized that the explosion was unrelated to the vehicle itself. "The explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck," Musk wrote, adding, "The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle."
The FBI's Las Vegas office, led by acting special agent Jeremy Schwartz, is investigating whether the incident constitutes a terrorist act. This appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no further danger to the public, Schwartz stated. Authorities are also exploring potential connections to a deadly truck attack in New Orleans that occurred on the same day. However, no link between the two incidents has been established thus far.
The Cybertruck involved in the Las Vegas explosion was rented through the peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Turo, the same service used for the truck in the New Orleans attack. A Turo spokesperson expressed condolences to the victims and families affected by both incidents, stating, "We are heartbroken by the violence perpetrated in New Orleans and Las Vegas and remain committed to cooperating with law enforcement."
The explosion prompted swift responses from local officials and emergency services. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo assured the public that his office is coordinating with law enforcement to provide any necessary resources. President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the incident and directed federal agencies to offer assistance as needed, according to the White House.
Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, expressed gratitude to first responders. "The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority," Trump wrote on X. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism."
The incident has raised questions about potential motives, given the location and timing. Sheriff McMahill noted, "But obviously, a Cybertruck, the Trump hotel - there's lots of questions that we have to answer as we move forward." Investigators are continuing to search for secondary devices and examine the driver's background to determine whether there are broader implications.
Guests at the Trump Hotel and nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution, and many witnessed the aftermath of the explosion. Galit Ventura Rozen, a guest at the nearby Resorts World Las Vegas, described seeing a plume of smoke rising from the Trump Hotel area. "We saw a huge cloud of smoke ... and a line of ambulances and police cars," she said.
