Ice Cube has addressed the incident on social media after a fire damaged his crew’s bus last week in Portland, Oregon, during a stop on his Truth to Power tour.
Initial reports suggest the attack stemmed from protesters who mistakenly believed the bus—due to its prominent “ICE” letters—was connected to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to The Times of India, a group thought to be linked to Antifa reportedly threw incendiary devices at the bus, causing significant exterior damage but no injuries.
Why It Matters
The firebombing has sparked discussion about protest violence, mistaken identity, and safety at large concert events. The incident, reportedly triggered by confusion over the bus’ “ICE” lettering, underscores the risks touring artists and their crews can face amid a polarized American climate. Law enforcement is investigating, while Ice Cube’s response highlights his composure and resilience. Though no one was hurt, the event has fueled debate about protest tactics and the protection of high-profile performers.
What To Know
On September 22, the charter bus associated with Ice Cube—whose real name is O’Shea Jackson Sr.—was set ablaze in downtown Portland. Portland Fire & Rescue spokesperson Rick Graves told Newsweek that crews responded to a fire near the bus’ front passenger tire and extinguished it without injury or damage to musical equipment.
Tresa Sanders, CEO of Ice Cube’s PR firm TreMedia, confirmed the bus was used by the crew for the Truth to Power tour, which had just stopped in Portland.
On Saturday, Ice Cube clarified the situation on X.
“Wasn’t my bus. It was a crew bus. Parked in front of the hotel. Everybody was upstairs sleeping. Nobody hurt. No equipment damaged,” he told his 5.7 million followers. “A coward set fire to the bus. My bus was actually in Oakland getting serviced.”
Responding to X user @eugenedelgaudio, who commented: “I am glad nobody got hurt. It is one of your tour buses and you were targeted by leftist domestic terrorists. Posting that this is ‘only’ the crews bus is absurd on your part,” Ice Cube wrote: “‘Only’ is your words not mine. I was stating the facts. Being in my business is absurd on your part. So STFU [shut the f*** up]…”
When X user @hdamaall shared a photo of a tour bus with a circle around the word “Cube” on its side, the rapper added: “This is not on my bus anymore. This is from 2018.”
What People Are Saying
Ice Cube told Newsweek via Tresa Sanders: “I’m not taking this incident as a personal attack. A coward like that would burn anybody’s property that was out there at the time.”
Portland Fire & Rescue spokesperson Rick Graves said: “Crews extinguished the fire quickly, gained access to the interior to ventilate the smoke that had entered the bus, contacted the Portland Fire Investigations Unit, and cleared the scene.”
What Happens Next
Portland police continue investigating, focusing on identifying suspects through security footage and witness statements. Graves noted: “This incident is still open and active.”
Ice Cube’s Truth to Power tour is expected to continue, with his next performance scheduled for Tuesday in Glendale, Arizona.
