The end of 2024 and beginning of 2025 has been off to a rocky start, with recent plane crashes and now some alleged terror attacks in the USA.
Authorities have confirmed that an explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas was caused by large fireworks and gasoline canisters placed in the bed of a rented Tesla Cybertruck.
The incident, which occurred earlier today, was unrelated to the vehicle itself, according to investigators. Tesla’s telemetry data showed no faults with the Cybertruck at the time of the explosion.
Law enforcement sources revealed that the Cybertruck was rented through Turo and was carrying flammable materials, including gasoline canisters and fireworks, in its cargo bed.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that the Cybertruck’s unique design helped mitigate the blast. “The Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken,” Musk wrote on X.
Las Vegas police praised Tesla for its assistance in the investigation. “Elon Musk provided us with additional information, including how the vehicle was locked after the explosion and video footage captured from Tesla charging stations across the country,” a police spokesperson said.
🚨 LAS VEGAS POLICE THANK ELON:
“I have to thank Elon Musk specifically. He gave us quite a bit of additional information in regards to how the vehicle was locked after it exploded.. as well as being able to capture all the video from the Tesla charging stations across the… pic.twitter.com/Xdjrp3kRfN
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 2, 2025
Investigators currently believe the explosion was intentional, but they have not disclosed potential motives or suspects. Musk called the perpetrators “evil knuckleheads” and noted that the Cybertruck’s stainless steel exoskeleton design likely prevented greater damage. Despite the explosion, the hotel lobby remained intact, with no major structural damage reported.
The investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement and Tesla’s senior team working together to gather more details about the incident.
🚨 #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
