A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day, leaving one person dead and seven others injured.
Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill confirmed the incident, saying, “The vehicle pulled up to the hotel’s entrance before a large explosion occurred.” He added that the explosion caused only minor damage to the hotel, thanks to the Cybertruck’s design, which directed most of the blast upward.
The truck’s back was found to contain gasoline, camping fuel canisters, and large firework mortars. “The glass doors of the hotel, just a few feet away, were not even broken by the blast,” McMahill said.
Federal and local authorities are investigating the explosion, with the FBI exploring whether it was an act of terrorism. FBI agent Jeremy Schwartz described it as “an isolated incident” but emphasized ongoing efforts to identify the person involved and determine the motive.
President Joe Biden addressed the nation, noting that investigators are probing any connection between this incident and a separate truck attack in New Orleans that killed 15 New Year’s revellers. “Thus far, there’s nothing to report on that score,” he stated.
The Cybertruck is manufactured by Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, a known supporter of President-elect Donald Trump. Sheriff McMahill commented, “It’s a Tesla truck, and we know Elon Musk is working with President-elect Trump, and it’s the Trump Tower. There are things to be concerned about there.”
Musk dismissed concerns about the vehicle’s involvement, saying on X, “The explosion was unrelated to the vehicle itself. The whole Tesla senior team is investigating this incident.”
The truck was rented through the car-sharing app Turo in Colorado, the same platform used to rent the vehicle involved in the New Orleans attack. Authorities are looking into this coincidence.
A spokesperson for Turo confirmed cooperation with law enforcement and stated, “Neither renter had a criminal background that would have flagged them as a security threat.”
Seven people sustained minor injuries from the explosion, and the Trump International Hotel was evacuated as a precaution. Video footage shows the Cybertruck parked at the hotel entrance before bursting into flames.
As investigations continue, Sheriff McMahill urged the public to remain vigilant but reassured them that no broader threat had been identified. “We are leaving no stone unturned to understand the cause and context of this tragic incident,” he said.
