A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on the morning of January 1, 2025, killing one person and injuring seven others. The explosion occurred around 8:40 a.m. local time, sending shockwaves through the area. Authorities have confirmed that all seven injured individuals are now stable, and investigations into the cause of the blast are ongoing.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Sheriff Kevin McMahill provided new details in a press conference, revealing that the vehicle had been packed with fireworks, gasoline canisters, and camp fuel canisters. The explosion, which was caught on video, appeared to set off fireworks, adding to the chaos. A subsequent clip showed law enforcement covering the truck with a tarp to control the fire before removing it to investigate the contents of the vehicle.
McMahill confirmed that the police found “large firework mortars” and several fuel canisters in the bed of the truck, suggesting the possibility of an intentional explosion rather than an accident. Despite the violent blast, McMahill pointed out that the exterior of the Cybertruck remained relatively intact, and the truck’s unique design helped mitigate some of the damage. He also noted that the blast did not shatter the front glass doors of the hotel, despite the vehicle being parked just outside.
“The fact that this was a Cybertruck really limited the damage that occurred inside of the valet,” McMahill said during the press briefing. “Most of the blast went up through the truck and out.”
Rented Vehicle Linked to Turo App
According to authorities, the Tesla Cybertruck had been rented through the Turo app, a peer-to-peer car rental service. The vehicle had been driven to Las Vegas from Colorado and was seen moving up and down the city’s famous Las Vegas Boulevard prior to the explosion. The truck had arrived in the city at approximately 7:30 a.m., just an hour before the incident.
The sheriff confirmed that authorities know the identity of the individual who rented the vehicle but have not yet released the name to the public. Investigators are working to piece together the details of the explosion and its possible connections to other events.
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Investigating Possible Links to Other Attacks
The explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas has raised concerns about potential links to other recent attacks, including one in New Orleans on New Year’s Day that killed at least 15 people. Sheriff McMahill assured reporters that authorities are “absolutely investigating any connectivity” to the New Orleans incident and other global attacks. “We’re not ruling anything out,” he added.
In the aftermath of the explosion, the FBI’s acting special agent in charge for Las Vegas, Jeremy Schwartz, emphasized the importance of identifying the subject involved and determining whether the explosion was an act of terrorism. Schwartz added that, at this time, authorities believe it to be an “isolated incident.”
Political Questions and Potential Terrorism Links
While the investigation remains in its early stages, questions have emerged regarding the potential political implications of the explosion. With the Tesla Cybertruck’s connection to Elon Musk, who has ties to President-elect Donald Trump, some have speculated about a possible political motive. McMahill addressed these concerns during the press conference, saying, “It’s a Tesla truck, and we know that Elon Musk is working with President-elect Trump, and it’s the Trump Tower. So there’s obviously things to be concerned about and it’s something we continue to look at.”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has publicly commented on the explosion, asserting that the blast was caused by “very large fireworks and/or a bomb” carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck, not by any fault with the vehicle itself. Musk confirmed the incident on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion.”
Federal Response to the Incident
On January 1, President Joe Biden also commented on the explosion while delivering remarks about the New Orleans attack. Although he acknowledged the Las Vegas explosion, he emphasized that no definitive links had been confirmed between the two events. “Thus far, there is nothing to report … at this time,” Biden said.
While the investigation continues, authorities have made it clear that the explosion is being treated as a serious matter, with multiple agencies, including local law enforcement and federal authorities, involved in the ongoing probe.
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Tesla and local authorities are working together to gather more information. As of now, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has not released further details. The FBI has joined the investigation to determine whether the explosion was an isolated incident or part of a larger pattern of attacks.
As the investigation unfolds, Las Vegas residents and visitors are urged to remain vigilant, with authorities promising to provide updates as more information becomes available.
