On New Year’s Day, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing the suspected perpetrator and injuring seven others. Remarkably, the Cybertruck’s unique design limited the blast’s impact, sparing surrounding structures from catastrophic damage.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk quickly clarified that the explosion was unrelated to the Cybertruck’s functionality. “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,” Musk stated on social media.
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.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2025
All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion. https://t.co/HRjb87YbaJ
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI are treating the incident as a potential act of terrorism. Preliminary findings revealed that the truck was carrying a combination of fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel. Investigators suspect the explosion was triggered using a controlled detonation system reportedly operated by the driver.
The Cybertruck had been rented via the Turo app, the same platform used for a pickup truck involved in another deadly attack in New Orleans earlier that day. Musk commented, “Appears likely to be an act of terrorism. Both this Cybertruck and the F-150 suicide bomb in New Orleans were rented from Turo. Perhaps they are linked in some way.”
Appears likely to be an act of terrorism.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2025
Both this Cybertruck and the F-150 suicide bomb in New Orleans were rented from Turo. Perhaps they are linked in some way. https://t.co/MM6ehJO3SG
Despite the blast’s intensity, the Cybertruck’s design directed much of the force upwards, leaving the vehicle’s stainless steel exoskeleton intact. Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill emphasized this during a press conference:
“The fact that this was a Cybertruck really limited the damage that occurred inside of the valet because it had most of the blast go up through the truck and out. In fact, if you look at that video, you’ll see that the front glass doors at the Trump Hotel were not even broken by that blast, which they were parked directly in front of.”
Responding to this, Musk remarked, “The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken.”
WATCH:
NEW FOOTAGE: “The fact that this was a Cybertruck really limited the damage that occurred inside of the valet, because it had most of the blast go up, through the truck and out… The glass doors at the Trump hotel were not even broken.” pic.twitter.com/XtztqmZAYr
— America (@america) January 2, 2025
The perpetrator has been identified as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Authorities continue their investigation into the motive and potential connections to other attacks.
