Elon Musk Says Tesla Will Get Exploded Cybertruck ‘Back on the Road’

Elon Musk has implied that the Tesla Cybertruck involved in the Las Vegas Trump Hotel explosion on Wednesday could be restored to working order, despite being at the center of the blast. In a social media post the tech CEO suggested that the vehicle could be “back on the road,” after authorities noted that the structure of the truck was largely intact. It was unclear if Musk was being entirely serious about the suggestion. Newsweek has contacted Tesla for comment via email. An investigator takes a picture of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the lobby of Donald Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas on January 1, 2025. At least one person was killed and seven wounded in… An investigator takes a picture of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the lobby of Donald Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas on January 1, 2025. At least one person was killed and seven wounded in the blast. Getty Images Why It Matters Authorities investigating the Cybertruck explosion revealed that the body of the vehicle survived the blast thanks to its reinforced design. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department noted that “it looks like the exterior of the truck is completely intact” and suggested that the damage to it caused by the explosion was limited by the design of the vehicle. Musk has previously made the durability of the Cybertruck a major selling point, highlighting the claim that its body panels are strong enough to stop low-velocity bullets. What To Know Matthew Livelsberger fatally shot himself inside the Cybertruck, which erupted in flames outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day. Las Vegas police published a video of firefighters responding to the explosion. In the video, the Cybertruck’s chassis can be seen to be mostly intact, indicating, as police said, that the explosion appeared to have travelled “up and out” of the vehicle rather than expanding outward. Musk noted the findings on his social media site X (formerly Twitter), writing: “we’ll buff out the scratches and get it back on the road.” Musk did not clarify if his comments were a joke, and did not elaborate on whether Tesla would actually go ahead with the restoration process. The tech CEO has threatened to sue several news organizations for suggesting that the explosion could have been caused by a malfunction within the vehicle itself. Authorities discovered large supplies of gas canisters and fireworks in the truck shortly after the explosion. What People Are Saying Elon Musk said on social media: “The battery pack never even caught fire and the tires are still inflated! Once we get this Cybertruck back to Tesla, we’ll buff out the scratches and get it back on the road.” Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said: “It looks like the exterior of the truck is completely intact. The fact that this was a Cybertruck really limited the damage that occurred inside the valet.” What Happens Next The investigation into a possible motive for the explosion is still underway, with police treating the event as a potential terror attack. Musk is set to play a key role in Trump’s incoming administration as co-head of the Department for Government Efficiency. Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.