Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has confirmed that the explosion was caused by fireworks and fuel loaded in the truck’s bed, rather than a fault with the vehicle itself.
The explosion occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m. local time in the hotel’s valet area, where the Cybertruck, rented in Colorado, had been parked. Investigators believe the driver, identified as Matthew Livelsberger, intentionally detonated fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel stored in the vehicle’s bed.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Musk addressed the incident, stating that Tesla’s telemetry data showed no mechanical issues with the vehicle at the time of the explosion.
“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 wrote.
He added, “The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken.”
A Tesla Cybertruck burst into flames outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, with the incident leaving one person dead and seven others suffering minor injuries.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is treating the explosion as a deliberate act. Sheriff Kevin McMahill confirmed that the vehicle had arrived in Las Vegas around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, just an hour before the blast.
While the driver, Livelsberger, died in the explosion, seven others sustained minor injuries. Hazmat teams and first responders quickly secured the scene, and investigators have been working to uncover the motives behind the act.
The incident has drawn attention not only for its tragic outcome but also for the Cybertruck’s durability. Musk highlighted the vehicle’s ability to contain the blast, preventing further damage to the hotel and its surroundings.
The explosion took place outside a property associated with President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office later this month. Musk, a known ally of Trump, will co-head the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency in the incoming administration.
This incident has further spotlighted Tesla’s Cybertruck, both for its structural integrity during the explosion and for its role in an unfolding investigation.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into Livelsberger’s motives and potential connections to extremist activity. Meanwhile, Tesla has reiterated its confidence in the safety and reliability of its vehicles, even under extreme circumstances.
