This article was originally published by Willow Tohi at Natural News. 

• • On January 1, U.S. Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a rented pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 15 and injuring dozens. Authorities found an ISIS flag, weapons, and a suspected explosive device, classifying the attack as terrorism. Jabbar was killed in a shootout with police, but investigators are probing potential accomplices.

• • Hours later, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven. The truck, rented via the Turo app (also used in New Orleans), may have contained explosives. The driver, Matthew Alan Livelsberger, an active-duty Army member, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, raising questions about a possible connection to Jabbar.

• • The FBI is investigating potential links between the two incidents, including ties to domestic or international terrorism. Both suspects were military veterans, and reports suggest they may have served at the same base. Authorities are also examining connections to President-elect Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

• • President Biden addressed the nation, urging caution against premature conclusions while directing federal resources to support the investigations. New York City heightened security measures, including increased police presence at Trump Tower and Times Square, as a precaution.

• • While no definitive link has been established, the use of the Turo app, the suspects’ military backgrounds, and the timing of the attacks have fueled speculation about a coordinated effort. Authorities continue to investigate, with the nation awaiting answers.

In a chilling start to 2025, the United States was rocked by two devastating incidents on New Year’s Day: a deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans and a fiery explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. While authorities have yet to confirm a direct connection between the two events, the FBI is actively investigating whether they are linked, as both incidents bear hallmarks of coordinated violence.

The New Orleans attack unfolded in the early hours of January 1, when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran, drove a rented pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street. The rampage left 15 people dead and dozens injured. Inside the vehicle, authorities discovered an ISIS flag, weapons, and a suspected improvised explosive device, leading them to classify the attack as an act of terrorism. Jabbar was killed in a shootout with police at the scene, but investigators are still probing whether he acted alone or had accomplices.

Hours later, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven bystanders. Initial reports suggest the vehicle was loaded with fireworks or an explosive device. The Cybertruck was rented through the Turo app, the same platform used to rent the pickup truck in New Orleans. This detail has intensified scrutiny over potential links between the two incidents.

President Joe Biden addressed the nation from Camp David on Wednesday night, emphasizing the importance of determining whether the attacks are connected. “We’re tracking the explosion of a Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. Law enforcement and the intelligence community are investigating this as well, including whether there’s any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans,” Biden said. However, he cautioned against premature conclusions, stating, “Thus far, there’s nothing to report on that score.”

The driver of the Cybertruck has been tentatively identified as Matthew Alan Livelsberger, a 37-year-old active-duty U.S. Army service member. Livelsberger, who had been serving in Germany but was on leave in Colorado, reportedly rented the vehicle before driving it to Las Vegas. Authorities found him dead in the truck with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Like Jabbar, Livelsberger was a military veteran, raising questions about whether the two men had any prior connection. Reports suggest they may have served at the same military base, though this has yet to be confirmed.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, weighed in on the Las Vegas explosion, denying any fault with the Cybertruck. “All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion,” Musk said, adding that the incident “appears likely to be an act of terrorism” and that “perhaps” both events are “linked in some way.”

The FBI is leading investigations into both incidents, with agents examining potential ties to domestic or international terrorism. Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill confirmed that authorities are exploring connections to the New Orleans attack, as well as possible links to President-elect Donald Trump, who owns the hotel, and Elon Musk, whose company manufactured the Cybertruck. “Obviously, a Cybertruck, the Trump Hotel, there are lots of questions that we have to answer as we move forward,” McMahill said.

Precautionary measures while investigation proceeds

In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has heightened security measures, including increased police presence at Trump Tower and Times Square, as a precautionary response to the attacks. “While there are no credible threats at this time, we are on alert,” Adams said.

As the nation grapples with the aftermath of these tragedies, President Biden has directed top officials, including the attorney general, the FBI director and the secretary of Homeland Security, to dedicate all available resources to the investigations. “I’ve directed my team to make sure every resource is made available to federal, state, and local law enforcement to complete the investigation quickly and to ensure there is no remaining threat to the American people,” Biden said.

While the FBI has stated there is “no definitive link” between the two incidents at this stage, the investigations remain fluid and ongoing. The use of the Turo app to rent both vehicles, the military backgrounds of the suspects, and the timing of the attacks have all fueled speculation about a possible coordinated effort. For now, the nation waits for answers as authorities work tirelessly to uncover the truth behind these harrowing events.