On January 1, 2025, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven people. The vehicle was loaded with fireworks and gas cylinders, indicating possible deliberate intent on the part of the driver, identified as Matthew Livelsberger, a member of the US Army Special Forces. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible act of terrorism, although they have not yet confirmed this classification. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has stated that the explosion was caused by the explosive materials carried in the vehicle, not by a defect in the car itself. At the same time, Elon Musk temporarily changed his name on the X platform (formerly Twitter) to "Kekius Maximus", accompanied by an image of the meme $PEPE "Pepe the Frog" in Roman costume. This move sparked speculation and influenced the cryptocurrency market, leading to a significant increase in the value of a newly launched memecoin of the same name.
It is important to note that, to date, there is no evidence that Musk owns or is directly involved with this cryptocurrency.
The incident in Las Vegas and Musk’s actions on social media highlight the volatility and sensitivity of the cryptocurrency market to external events and influences from public figures.
