Las Vegas — An explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck near President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel on New Year’s Eve has resulted in the death of a suspect and left seven others with minor injuries. The incident, which occurred in the valet area of the Trump International Hotel, has sparked an intensive investigation into potential links to terrorism.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) and Clark County Fire Department responded to the scene early Wednesday morning. Authorities revealed that the truck’s bed was packed with fireworks mortars and camp fuel canisters, leading to a powerful blast that caused significant damage and sent plumes of smoke into the air.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the LVMPD confirmed that the vehicle had been rented through the Turo app in Colorado. While the identity of the individual who rented the Cybertruck is known, officials are withholding the name until it is verified that they were the person inside the vehicle at the time of the explosion.
The Cybertruck was tracked entering Las Vegas at approximately 7:30 a.m., thanks to surveillance footage and data shared by Tesla. About an hour later, it entered the valet area of the Trump International Hotel, where it remained stationary for 15-20 seconds before detonating.
Video evidence presented during a news conference showed the aftermath of the explosion: charred remnants of fireworks, fuel canisters, and other explosive devices crowded the truck bed. The blast’s upward trajectory left the Cybertruck’s bed walls intact but caused extensive damage above the vehicle.
Acting FBI Special Agent Jeremy Schwartz emphasized the need to identify the deceased and determine whether the explosion was an act of terrorism. “Our primary objective is ensuring the safety of the public while thoroughly investigating the circumstances of this incident,” Schwartz stated.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed the situation on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that the explosion was unrelated to the vehicle’s design or 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,” Musk wrote. He added that Tesla’s senior team is conducting an internal investigation, describing the incident as unprecedented.
This incident comes as Musk’s relationship with Trump continues to grow. Musk, who invested an estimated $250 million in Trump’s presidential campaign, has been named to co-lead a new initiative aimed at reducing government size and spending. Both Musk and Trump were in Florida at the time of the explosion, attending Trump’s New Year’s Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
The explosion has raised concerns about public safety in high-profile areas. The Trump International Hotel, a luxury property frequently associated with the former president’s business empire, remains under heightened security.
The FBI, local authorities, and federal agencies are collaborating on the investigation. While no immediate evidence suggests broader threats, officials have not ruled out the possibility of terrorism.
Further updates are expected as authorities process the scene and examine the evidence. The identity of the deceased and the motivation behind the incident remain critical questions in the ongoing investigation.
