A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning, killing one person inside the vehicle and injuring several bystanders, according to local officials.
The explosion, deemed suspicious, is under investigation as a potential terrorist attack, though no motive has been identified, law enforcement sources say.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk denied any fault with the vehicle, stating on X that the explosion was caused by “very large fireworks and/or a bomb” placed in the Cybertruck’s bed and was unrelated to the vehicle itself. Musk emphasized that all vehicle telemetry was normal at the time of the incident.
The blast occurred around 8:40 a.m. near the hotel’s glass entrance doors.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill described the aftermath as chaotic, with smoke emanating from the Cybertruck before the explosion. First responders discovered multiple injured individuals around the vehicle, with two transported to a local hospital. The injuries were reported as minor, though officials are still working to recover the body of the victim inside the truck.
The Cybertruck was rented from Turo, the same platform used to rent the truck involved in a deadly New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans just hours earlier, which is also being investigated as a possible act of terrorism.
Videos from the scene show the vehicle engulfed in flames outside the hotel, with sirens echoing through the lobby as guests were evacuated to nearby Resorts World Las Vegas. The Trump Organization issued a statement acknowledging the incident and praising first responders for their swift actions.
The explosion prompted an evacuation of the Trump International Hotel, owned by the Trump Organization and businessman Phil Ruffin. Eric Trump shared a statement on X expressing the organization’s commitment to the safety of its guests and staff.
The FBI is assisting local authorities with the investigation. Meanwhile, witnesses reported hearing loud blasts and seeing smoke fill the area as law enforcement responded. Guests described being rushed out of the hotel and warned to avoid inhaling the smoke.
The incident comes as Elon Musk serves as co-leader of an advisory council for President-elect Donald Trump’s second administration, focusing on reducing federal regulations and government spending. Musk, who contributed $277 million to Trump’s campaign and GOP candidates, has strongly denied any connection between the Cybertruck explosion and the vehicle’s design. The investigation remains ongoing.
