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By Rachel Dobkin
Weekend Reporter
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A Tesla Cybertruck exploded in front of President-elect Donald Trump's Las Vegas Hotel Wednesday, which was captured on video and shared on social media.
Police are currently determining if the incident was an act of terrorism. They found gasoline tanks, camping fuel and large firework mortars in the back of the vehicle. The incident was not due to a defective Cybertruck but instead by "large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed," according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump International Hotel, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and Tesla via email for comment Wednesday afternoon.
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Why It Matters
One person died and seven more were injured after the fire erupted in the hotel's valet area at around 8:40 a.m. local time, according to authorities.
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What To Know
A person inside the Cybertruck was killed, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Clark County Fire Department told reporters. Seven more victims nearby suffered minor injuries.
Eva McMillan, a Florida-based specialist in luxury waterfront real estate and self-identified Tesla car owner and Tesla shareholder, shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday appearing to show the moment the Cybertruck at Trump International Hotel went up in flames.
The hotel has 64 stories and is near popular attractions like the Las Vegas Strip and the Fashion Show Las Vegas shopping mall.
Musk's pro-Trump political action committee, America PAC, shared footage of the back of the Cybertruck in a Fox News segment that included commentary saying, "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 front glass doors at the Trump hotel were not even broken."
Musk also rebuked the mainstream media for its reporting on the explosion.
An X user who goes by Doge Designer wrote: "Media headlines are misleading audiences, suggesting the Cybertruck caught fire or exploded due to a malfunction."
Musk replied, "You don't hate the legacy media enough."
None of the headlines explicitly stated that the Cybertruck explosion was caused by a malfunction.
Musk also suggested on X that it was "maybe" time to sue news outlets that framed the incident as a manufacturing error.
What People Are Saying
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, on X: "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 said in a follow-up post: "Law enforcement currently believes it was most likely intentional." He also said in a previous post that Tesla has "never seen anything like this."
Jeremy Schwartz, acting FBI Special Agent in Charge for the Las Vegas office, at a news conference: "I know you have a lot of questions."
"We don't have a lot of answers," he added.
Eric Trump, the president-elect's second-eldest son and one of the executive vice presidents of his father's real estate company, the Trump Organization, on X: "Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas."
"The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism," he added.
Melania Trump, the president-elect's wife, on X: "The incidents of violence that have impacted our communities are deeply concerning. The brutality must stop. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families who are experiencing such profound grief and loss. Let us strive for a future where peace prevails."
The post didn't name the Cybertruck event. However, it comes amid the fallout from that incident and an incident in New Orleans early Wednesday morning in which at least 15 people died and 30 were injured after a man drove a car through a crowd on Bourbon Street.
Eva McMillan, on X: "Tesla's Cybertruck explosion at the entrance to Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas was not a coincidence. Tesla's are very safe and don't just explode."
What Happens Next
The Las Vegas police announced they are investigating the fire and explosion. At Wednesday's news conference, Schwartz confirmed that the FBI is also involved in the investigation. Meanwhile, Las Vegas authorities said they are working to get the deceased body out of the Cybertruck.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
Update 1/1/25, 4:22 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 1/1/25, 7:25 p.m. ET: This article was updated with an X post by Elon Musk.
Update 1/1/25, 9:26 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 1/1/25, 10:50 p.m. ET: Information about previous Tesla recalls was deleted from this article and additional information was added.
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