A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, in what authorities believe to be an act of terrorism. The Associated Press (AP) seemingly first reported the explosion as a mechanical problem, which Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) called out on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "This is why people don't trust media."
Investigations have revealed the Cybertruck carried fireworks, camp fuel canisters, and other explosives that were detonated by means that currently remain unknown. The presently unidentified driver was killed in the explosion, and others received minor injuries, likely because the blast traveled upwards rather than outward.
CNN revealed that the vehicle came from the rental company Turo, which also rented out the pickup truck used by the perpetrator of the New Orleans terror attack. However, Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill said there is currently no connection between the incidents. McMahill also expressed gratitude toward Tesla CEO and Trump ally Elon Musk for aiding the investigation by supplying footage from Tesla charging stations to identify the driver.
As noted, the Associated Press initially seemed to suggest a Cybertruck malfunction caused the explosion, as the initial headline read, "1 person dies when Tesla truck catches fire and explodes outside Trump's Las Vegas hotel."
X's Community Notes system quickly called the headline "misleading," adding, "It was not a mechanical problem. The explosives contained in the truck were described as fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel, which authorities believe were connected to a detonation system."
As a result, the AP changed the headline to better reflect the reality of the situation, which Rep. Donalds also called out.
"Let's break this down: 1 – A Tesla packed with explosives & excess fuel blew up in front of the Trump Hotel 2 – The initial headline was misleading 3 – Americans rightly called it out 4 – AP quietly changed the headline in the article 5 – This is why people don't trust media," Rep. Donalds posted.
Let's break this down:
1 – A Tesla packed with explosives & excess fuel blew-up in front of the Trump Hotel
2 – The initial headline was misleading
3 – Americans rightly called-it-out
4 – AP quietly changed the headline in the article
5 – This is why people don't trust media https://t.co/trit0IlxxS
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) January 2, 2025
