On January 1, 2025, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, resulting in the death of the driver and injuries to seven bystanders. The driver, identified as 37-year-old active-duty
U.S. Army Special Forces soldier Matthew Livelsberger, had packed the vehicle with fireworks and gas canisters. Prior to the explosion, Livelsberger died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism but have not established a definitive motive. Notably, this event occurred hours after a separate attack in New Orleans, where another Army veteran drove a truck into a crowd, resulting in multiple fatalities.
While both individuals had military backgrounds and rented their vehicles through the same platform, the FBI has not found a definitive link between the two incidents.