Elon Musk has shared his version of events regarding the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day. According to Musk, the blast was caused by fireworks or a bomb that had been loaded into the back of the vehicle—not by the truck itself. Police have since confirmed the presence of explosive materials in the vehicle, which included firework mortars, gasoline tanks, and camping fuel. Authorities are now investigating the incident as a possible act of terror.
Tesla CEO Clarifies the Explosion Cause
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on January 1, Musk explained that Tesla’s telemetry systems indicated no issues with the vehicle prior to the explosion. “All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion,” he wrote, noting that the vehicle was not the source of the blast. Tesla’s investigation into the incident is ongoing, and police have backed up Musk’s account.
The explosion occurred at 8:40 AM local time, just hours after the New Year’s festivities in Las Vegas. The blast tragically killed the driver, who had pulled the Cybertruck into the valet area of the hotel, and injured seven others. The identity of the driver has not yet been confirmed.
What Was in the Cybertruck?
As for what caused the deadly explosion, police confirmed that the truck was filled with explosive materials. Firework mortars, gasoline tanks, and camping fuel were found in the bed of the vehicle. Investigators have ruled out the possibility of the Cybertruck itself malfunctioning or causing the explosion, with authorities now focusing on the origin of the explosives.
“The current findings suggest this was an isolated incident with no indication of a larger plan,” said the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, reassuring the public that there is no immediate threat to the city at large.
A Chilling Coincidence: New Orleans Attack
Interestingly, the explosion came just hours before another terrifying event unfolded in New Orleans. A suspect flying an ISIS flag rammed a Ford pickup truck into a crowd celebrating the New Year on Bourbon Street. At least 15 people were killed in the attack.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed that it is investigating the New Orleans incident as an act of terrorism, but as of now, there is no evidence linking the two attacks. The one striking similarity between the two? Both the Tesla Cybertruck and the Ford pickup truck involved in the New Orleans attack were rented from the Turo app, a peer-to-peer car rental service.
Authorities Investigate Possible Terror Links
While there’s no direct connection between the two events, the timing of these violent attacks—one in Las Vegas and one in New Orleans—has sparked concern. Federal, state, and local authorities are collaborating on the investigations, with the Las Vegas Police Department working closely with the FBI to determine whether the Cybertruck explosion had any links to terrorism. The investigation into the New Orleans truck attack is also ongoing, with terrorism being the primary focus of the inquiry.
Conclusion: A Disturbing Start to 2025
The tragic events surrounding the explosion of the Tesla Cybertruck in Las Vegas and the truck attack in New Orleans are a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by vehicles when misused as tools for violence. While authorities continue to investigate, the cause and intent behind these incidents remain unclear. What we do know is that they are tragic, and we can only hope that the ongoing investigations shed light on the truth.
As of now, there’s no clear connection between the two incidents, but both serve as grim reminders of the volatility and unpredictability of such attacks. The world is watching closely as investigators work to piece together the facts surrounding these disturbing events.
