Cybertruck explodes, one dead
Elon Musk confirms that the explosion was caused by fireworks in the bed of the rental Cybertruck, which had no faults, according to data.
A Tesla Cybertruck exploded Wednesday outside of the Trump Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada, in what officials are calling a "possible act of terror."
Officials reported that the driver of the Cybertruck pulled into the valet area before the vehicle exploded 15-20 seconds later, killing the driver and injuring seven bystanders. JEFFREY MILLER via REUTERS
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The Cybertruck was filled with fireworks and other explosives
We have now confirmed that 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. https://t.co/HRjb87YbaJ— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2025
Elon Musk wrote in an X (formerly Twitter) post that his senior team is also investigating the matter and confirmed that fireworks or a bomb in the bed of the Cybertruck caused the explosion. The truck was reportedly a Turo rental out of Colorado, and no mechanical faults were reported, according to onboard telemetry.
Surveillance footage posted on X shows the exploding Cybertruck and the corresponding fireworks surrounding the blast area immediately afterward.
New footage shows the Tesla Cybertruck exploding at the entrance of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. WATCH pic.twitter.com/GAnY4DATYp— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 1, 2025
Update: A 4 p.m. PST news conference with Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill showed further footage of the Cybertruck's bed containing explosives like gasoline canisters and camp fuel canisters alongside large firework mortars. There is no indication yet of how these explosives were set off. Associated Press YouTube
Driver identified as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger
According to NBC affiliate KOAA News5, Livelsberger was a Colorado resident who served in the Army at the same base as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the man who carried out the terror attack in New Orleans. The Cybertruck driver had several registered addresses in Colorado Springs, one of which has already been raided by the police.
So far this is Unverified, but a LinkedIn Profile has been discovered for a Matthew Livelsberger, who is believed to be the Suspect that was killed in today’s Cybertruck Bombing outside of Trump Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. The Profile states he is from the Greater Colorado… pic.twitter.com/w60JB94yzy— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 2, 2025
Elon Musk will play a sizable role in Donald Trump's administration
Elon was recently assigned to the incoming Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Alongside fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, the pair have been tasked with advising the administration on how to best cut excess government spending.
Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill said that there is no further threat to the community but recognized the potential political implications.
“But obviously, a Cybertruck, the Trump hotel – there’s lots of questions that we have to answer as we move forward.”
Eric Trump, Donald Trump's son and the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, also posted about the incident on X.
Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas. The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their…— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) January 1, 2025
More details about this story will be added as it develops.
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