‘He Picked The Wrong Vehicle’: Elon Musk Responds After Tesla Cybertruck Explosion Outside Trump Hotel

Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, has reacted to the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, calling the attacker’s choice of vehicle a mistake. Musk suggested that the assailant may have been carrying fireworks or a bomb in the rented Cybertruck.

The explosion, which occurred early Wednesday morning, tragically resulted in one death and at least seven injuries. Musk took to his X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, offering his take on the incident: “The explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck. The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. The Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken,” he wrote.

Authorities are investigating potential links between the Las Vegas incident and a deadly attack in New Orleans that left 15 people dead.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department described the explosion as an “isolated” incident, although authorities have not ruled out connections to the New Orleans attack. The Cybertruck, reportedly rented through Turo in Colorado, arrived in Las Vegas around 7:30 AM and was seen driving down Las Vegas Boulevard before pulling into the Trump Hotel. At 8:40 AM, the explosion occurred at the hotel’s porte cochère, causing a fire and prompting a temporary evacuation.

McMahill stated that authorities found gas canisters, camp fuel canisters, and large firework mortars in the truck’s bed, though the exact cause of the ignition remains unclear. The driver, who was the vehicle’s sole occupant, was killed in the explosion, and as of Wednesday afternoon, authorities were working to identify the deceased.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is involved in the investigation to determine whether the incident constitutes terrorism. Jeremy Schwartz, the FBI’s acting special agent in charge in Las Vegas, noted, “We’re investigating whether this was an act of terrorism or not… That is our goal, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

While there is no evidence linking the incident to ISIS, which President Biden had cited as the inspiration for the New Orleans attack, Turo, the car rental platform used for the Cybertruck, confirmed its cooperation with authorities. A spokesperson stated that neither of the renters involved in the attacks had a criminal background that would have flagged them as security risks.

Videos circulating on social media captured the Cybertruck engulfed in flames outside the Trump Hotel’s lobby entrance. Oscar Terol, a visitor from Barcelona, described the chaos as he and his wife approached the hotel, narrowly avoiding the explosion. “Those 10 seconds were the difference,” he said, recalling the eruption of flames and fireworks.

Inside the hotel, guests described the tense situation. Todd Hansen, on the 27th floor, heard loud popping sounds and noticed smoke when he descended to the lobby. Kerri Ford, visiting for her wedding, had to leave her dress and marriage license behind during the evacuation.

In a statement, Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, expressed, “The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority.” The Trump Las Vegas social media account echoed this sentiment, reassuring the public that safety measures were in place.

The explosion occurred amid increasing scrutiny of Musk’s close relationship with President-elect Donald J. Trump. Musk, who was staying at Mar-a-Lago, has been appointed by Trump to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency. Federal filings indicate Musk has spent over $250 million supporting Trump’s campaign.