New details have emerged regarding the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1, 2025. Police have released images of the contents found in the back of the vehicle, shedding light on the potential for a much larger threat. The discovery of gasoline canisters, camp fuel canisters, and large firework mortars has led authorities to suspect that the explosion was not accidental, but rather a deliberately planned act, possibly intended to cause significant damage.
Here’s what we reported on the investigation earlier today:
The explosion occurred at approximately 8:30 AM on January 1, 2025, in front of the Trump International Hotel, a high-profile location in Las Vegas. Witnesses reported seeing a Tesla Cybertruck parked near the hotel entrance when it suddenly started to smoke. Moments later, a massive explosion took place, engulfing the vehicle in flames. The driver, who has not been publicly identified, tragically died at the scene, and seven bystanders sustained injuries from the blast.
🚨 #BREAKING: Las Vegas Police release new video of the exploded Cybertruck outside of the Trump Hotel, showing explosive ordinances in the back
Police credited the lack of damage to the Trump Hotel to the strength of the Cybertruck, as it remained mostly intact.
“The explosion… pic.twitter.com/lajQZX2pOI
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 2, 2025
The Explosion: A Detailed Look at the Evidence
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CCTV footage from the Trump International Hotel showed the Cybertruck parked at the entrance when it started to emit smoke, followed by an explosion. Initially, many assumed that the incident was a tragic accident, perhaps caused by a malfunction or a fire related to the vehicle’s battery. However, as investigators began to analyze the vehicle’s contents and the explosion’s impact, a more concerning picture began to emerge.
According to police reports and video footage shared by the authorities, the back of the Cybertruck was loaded with suspicious items. Among these items were gasoline canisters, camp fuel canisters, and large firework mortars—objects that are typically used in homemade explosive devices.
Here’s what the Fox News video shared about the findings in the Cybertruck:
“Just a vehicle fire. And so there’s gonna be a drone video that plays to my left. Again, you’ll see as we the fire initially, they covered it with the tarp to try to get it to go out. Once the fire went out through the suppression efforts of the fire department, you’ll see some of the evidence in the back of the vehicle. So those are gasoline canisters. They are camp fuel canisters and large firework mortars.”
These items are often associated with DIY bomb-making, raising serious concerns that the explosion was intentional. Given the materials involved and the vehicle’s proximity to the Trump International Hotel, authorities are treating the incident as a potential terrorist act, though no definitive conclusions have been made.
The Unusual Nature of the Explosion
What sets this explosion apart from other EV-related fires or incidents is the lack of significant structural damage. Despite the intensity of the blast, the front glass doors of the Trump Hotel, which were located directly in front of the vehicle, were not even broken. This suggests that the majority of the blast energy went upward, potentially due to the unique design of the Tesla Cybertruck, which appears to have minimized damage inside the valet area.
Investigators have pointed out that the Cybertruck’s structure may have played a significant role in preventing more extensive damage to the hotel. The vehicle’s robust construction likely directed much of the force of the explosion upwards, limiting the damage to surrounding property.
FBI and Local Authorities’ Investigation
As the investigation continues, the FBI, in cooperation with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, is focused on determining the full scope of the attack. While it is not yet clear who was responsible for the explosion, authorities are exploring every angle, including the possibility that this was an act of domestic terrorism.
The presence of everyday household items used to construct explosive devices points to a calculated effort to cause harm. While it has not yet been definitively proven that this was an attack, the use of these materials strongly suggests that the explosion was not an accident, but a deliberate act with significant planning behind it.
Comparing the Cybertruck Explosion to Other EV Incidents
While electric vehicle (EV) fires, particularly involving Tesla models, are not uncommon, the circumstances surrounding the Cybertruck explosion are highly unusual. EV fires are typically caused by battery malfunctions, collisions, or exposure to extreme conditions, but in this case, the involvement of external incendiary materials and the location of the explosion make it stand out.
While there have been previous cases of electric vehicle (EV) fires, particularly involving Tesla models, none have mirrored the specific circumstances of this event. The combination of a high-profile location, the materials found in the truck, and the lack of damage to surrounding structures has raised suspicions of intentionality.
This distinction highlights the gravity of the situation and the ongoing efforts by federal and local authorities to uncover the full details. It also raises broader questions about the potential risks associated with homemade explosives and the ease with which dangerous devices can be assembled from commonly available materials.
Public Reactions and Social Media Response
The explosion outside the Trump Hotel has generated widespread public concern, and reactions on social media have been swift. Many are calling for a thorough investigation into the incident, while others are speculating about the motives behind the explosion. Given the high-profile location of the attack, the incident has also sparked discussions about security at public venues and the potential for larger-scale attacks.
Here are some of the tweets reacting to the incident:
— truth seeker 💼 🔥 (@TeslaTomMY1) January 2, 2025
Elon was also helpful in giving the police information on why the cyber truck was locked due to the nature of the force of the explosion and video captured across the nation from Tesla charging stations, being the truck was rented from Colorado using Turo.
— Louis Montoya (@montoyalouis1) January 2, 2025
I’m sure there are a ton of F-150 owners with aluminum beds out there, including myself, who are surprised at how little damage is showing in that CyberTruck. i’m pretty sure my F-150 would’ve looked closer to a peeled banana.
— MSchienle (@m_schienle) January 2, 2025
Conclusion
The explosion of the Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1, 2025, remains shrouded in mystery, but evidence is mounting that this may not have been a random accident. The materials found in the vehicle, coupled with the unusual nature of the explosion, suggest that this may have been a deliberate attack, possibly with terrorist motives.
As the FBI and local authorities continue their investigation, the public awaits answers to the questions surrounding the explosion. Was this a domestic terrorism act? Who was behind the explosion, and what were their motives? These are questions that will likely take time to answer, but the incident underscores the need for heightened vigilance when it comes to public safety and the growing risks posed by easily accessible materials that can be used to create deadly explosives.
Featured image via screengrab.
