Tesla Cyber truck Explodes Outside Trump Hotel in Las Vegas; Police Investigate Possible Connection to New Orleans Attack

CGC News Reporter January 2, 2025

A Tesla Cyber truck packed with fuel canisters and fireworks exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning, killing the driver and injuring seven others, though all injuries were reported as minor. The truck, which had been rented in Colorado, was parked near the hotel’s entrance when it began to smoke before detonating, sending fireworks shooting in multiple directions.

Authorities are investigating whether the explosion is linked to the recent deadly attack in New Orleans, where a truck was driven into a crowd, leaving 15 dead and dozens injured. Investigators are also examining potential connections to President-elect Donald Trump, whose hotel was targeted, and Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla. The FBI has not confirmed any links to terrorism, but is actively looking into the incident.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Police Department showed dramatic footage of the explosion, revealing the wreckage of the truck and remnants of the fireworks and fuel canisters scattered around the site. The vehicle had been rented through Turo, an app-based car rental service, which confirmed it was cooperating with authorities but noted that neither of the renters had a criminal background.

In response to the explosion, the Trump Hotel was evacuated, and emergency responders quickly extinguished the fire. President Joe Biden was briefed on both the Las Vegas explosion and the attack in New Orleans, with federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies working to determine if there are any links between the two incidents.
The Las Vegas community is no longer under threat, authorities confirmed, as investigations into the cause of the explosion continue.