Tesla Cybertruck Reportedly Explodes In Las Vegas — Elon Musk Responds

A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1, 2025, killing the driver and injuring seven others. The incident, which occurred around 8:40 a.m. local time, has prompted an FBI investigation into whether the blast was an act of terrorism.

Timeline of the Incident

Surveillance footage shows the 2024 model-year Cybertruck moving along Las Vegas Boulevard before parking in front of the hotel and erupting into flames moments later. Emergency responders arrived within four minutes to extinguish the blaze, and the Trump Hotel was evacuated as a precaution. Most guests were relocated to nearby accommodations.

The Cybertruck, reportedly rented in Colorado through the car-sharing service Turo, had arrived in Las Vegas approximately an hour before the explosion.

Investigations and Preliminary Findings

Authorities, including the FBI, have identified the driver but have not released their identity. FBI special agent Jeremy Schwartz noted that while the motive remains unclear, investigators are considering whether the explosion qualifies as a terrorist act.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed speculation surrounding the Cybertruck itself, stating on X (formerly Twitter), "We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself. All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion."

Telemetry data, which automatically collects and transmits vehicle performance information, confirmed that the Cybertruck was functioning normally prior to the blast.

Broader Context and Similar Incidents

The explosion occurred hours after a separate truck attack in New Orleans, where a vehicle was driven into a crowd of New Year's revelers, killing 15. Both the Cybertruck in Las Vegas and the vehicle used in the New Orleans attack were rented through Turo.

A Turo spokesperson confirmed that the renters involved in both incidents had no criminal records that could have flagged them as potential security risks. The company is cooperating with law enforcement in their investigations.

Reactions and Speculations

Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization and son of President-elect Donald Trump, acknowledged the incident on X, stating, "Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas."

Public reactions have been mixed, with some criticizing initial media reports for implying that the Cybertruck itself malfunctioned. A user on X remarked, "Media headlines are misleading audiences, suggesting the Cybertruck caught fire or exploded due to a malfunction. The truth is that explosives were placed in the back and intentionally detonated, likely as part of a terrorist act. Don't fall for the misinformation."

Via