'Was There a Cybertruck Explosion?' Trump Hotel Also in Full Swing Preparing for CES

Cybertruck Explosion Scene Surprisingly Calm
Traces Only on Ceiling at Explosion Site
CES Preparations Progressing Smoothly

On the afternoon of the 4th (local time), the Las Vegas Trump Hotel visited by the reporter was under strict vehicle control, unlike other hotels. While other luxury hotels allowed vehicle traffic without much restriction, the Trump Hotel blocked the vehicle passage with barriers and only allowed guests to enter. However, aside from the vehicle control, it was hard to guess what had happened at this hotel three days earlier.

Traces from the Cybertruck explosion remain on the ceiling at the entrance of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. Photo by Baek Jongmin

On the morning of the 1st (local time), a Cybertruck parked in front of the entrance of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas exploded, injuring seven people nearby. It was confirmed that the perpetrator, who was in the driver's seat of the Cybertruck, took his own life before the vehicle exploded.

The perpetrator likely intended to cause chaos or send a message by detonating the car made by Musk, Trump’s right-hand man, at the Trump Hotel. However, three days after the incident, the scene had returned to calm. Tourists and guests were bustling back and forth, and the previously controlled road in front of the hotel was open to normal traffic. Due to vehicle restrictions, Uber and taxis could not enter the hotel and had to drop off passengers outside, but no complaints were raised.

The aftermath of Tesla's Cybertruck explosion. Photo by UPI Yonhap News

Given that this was a terrorist incident occurring ahead of the world’s largest electronics and IT exhibition CES 2025 and the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, and that a vehicle terror incident also occurred in New Orleans on the same day, it was almost hard to believe this was the same site that had caused such concern.

On the 1st, Tesla's Cybertruck exploded and caught fire at the entrance of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News.

Police patrol cars were stationed in the parking lot near the hotel, and protesters opposing Trump were holding signs, but there was no major disturbance.

At the hotel entrance where the Cybertruck exploded, there were no obvious signs of the incident. When asked if this was indeed the explosion site, staff said, "Yes. After removing the vehicle, we quickly cleaned up, so there were no major traces left. No one was seriously injured."

On the afternoon of the 4th, an employee at the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas is controlling vehicle access. This hotel blocks taxis from entering except for guest vehicles. Photo by Baek Jongmin

However, not all traces of the explosion could be erased. Only by looking up at the ceiling of the hotel entrance could one realize this was the accident site. There were soot marks from the explosion scattered across the ceiling, and part of the ceiling had a hole. It appeared that the ceiling had not been repaired immediately.

Local media reported that the sturdy structure of the Cybertruck seemed to have prevented a large explosion, which explained why there were few traces left at the scene. The Cybertruck remained intact even after the explosives detonated, and its battery did not catch fire. Had the battery exploded as well, it could have escalated into a major disaster.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, also claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that "the stainless steel body of the Cybertruck effectively suppressed the explosive force while dispersing it upwards, so much so that even the glass doors of the hotel lobby were not broken." This incident ended up highlighting the robustness of the Cybertruck.

Opponents of the policies of Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, are holding signs and protesting. Police cars are positioned behind the protesters. Photo by Baek Jong-min

Local police authorities have classified this incident as a tragic suicide committed by a veteran struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other issues. Preparations for CES 2025 are proceeding normally.