Elon Musk Labels Tesla Cybertruck Explosion Outside Trump Hotel as Terrorist Act

TDT | Manama

Email: ashentharaka@newsofbahrain.com

Billionaire Elon Musk has claimed that the explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas was an act of terrorism. Musk praised the vehicle's design, suggesting it mitigated the blast's impact and spared the hotel from significant damage.

“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,” Musk wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The incident occurred early Thursday morning when a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck, reportedly rented through the car-sharing platform Turo, exploded outside the hotel’s main entrance. Las Vegas police confirmed one fatality and seven injuries resulting from the blast.

According to investigators, the explosion was caused by hazardous materials stored in the truck’s bed, including fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel. These materials were connected to a detonation system believed to have been controlled by the driver.

The blast caused minor injuries to the injured individuals, and the hotel was evacuated as a precaution. Authorities noted that the Cybertruck's durable design appeared to have helped contain the explosion's force, minimizing damage to surrounding areas.

Possible Link to New Orleans Attack
The timing of the explosion has raised concerns about a potential connection to a deadly attack earlier in the week in New Orleans. In that incident, a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s Eve revelers, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more.

The suspect in the New Orleans attack, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was a former military IT specialist and a U.S. citizen. Authorities have stated that Jabbar appeared to be inspired by the Islamic State group.

Both vehicles involved in the Las Vegas and New Orleans incidents were rented through Turo. A spokesperson for the company said Turo is fully cooperating with law enforcement and noted that neither of the renters had criminal records that would have flagged them as potential security threats.

Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing to investigate the Las Vegas explosion, including the driver’s identity and potential motives. Officials are also examining whether there is a coordinated effort behind the two incidents or if they are isolated acts of violence.

Musk’s comments highlight the unexpected role the Cybertruck played in reducing the blast’s impact, with many now viewing the vehicle’s design as a testament to its engineering resilience.