Tesla Cybertruck Explosion Outside Trump Hotel Investigated as Possible Terror Attack
Las Vegas authorities are investigating a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel early Wednesday morning, leaving one person dead and seven others injured.
What happened?
The Cybertruck, rented in Colorado, arrived in Las Vegas at 7:30 a.m. local time and exploded roughly an hour later while parked near the hotel's glass entrance. Dramatic footage shows the truck emitting smoke before a blast launched fireworks in multiple directions. Sheriff Kevin McMahill confirmed the vehicle carried fuel canisters and large firework mortars but stated the cause of the ignition remains unclear.
The Trump International Hotel, partially owned by President-elect Donald Trump, was evacuated following the explosion, with guests relocated to nearby Resorts World Las Vegas. Eric Trump thanked emergency responders in a statement, assuring the safety of hotel staff and guests remained a priority.
Incident currently thought to be an isolated incident
“This is an isolated incident,” McMahill said, emphasizing that there is no immediate threat to the community. Investigators are looking into possible connections to the New Orleans attack, where a truck flying an ISIS flag plowed into crowds, killing 15. However, McMahill stated that there is no evidence linking the Las Vegas explosion to any terrorist organization.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who provided video footage from Tesla charging stations and assisted in unlocking the destroyed truck, confirmed the explosion was unrelated to the Cybertruck itself. “The explosion was caused by fireworks and/or a bomb in the truck bed,” Musk said on social media.
The rented Cybertruck and the New Orleans vehicle were both leased through Turo, a car-sharing service. A Turo spokesperson confirmed cooperation with authorities and said neither renter had a known criminal background.
While the FBI and local law enforcement continue to investigate, President Joe Biden addressed the situation, acknowledging the similarities between the two attacks but stopping short of confirming a connection. “We’re tracking this closely,” Biden said, adding that law enforcement agencies are working together to uncover any links.
The explosion has heightened security at Trump properties nationwide, with additional precautions taken at Trump Tower in New York and Trump International in Chicago.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials have yet to release the identity of the deceased driver. As Sheriff McMahill noted, “We’re exploring all possibilities, but there’s a lot of work left to do.”
