The dawn of 2025 came with a bang quite literally. On January 1, outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded, injuring seven. Inside the futuristic vehicle was the body of Matthew Alan Livelsberger, a decorated Green Beret. But the explosion was no accident, and the aftermath has raised more questions than answers.
What unfolded wasn’t just a tragic spectacle; it was a calculated act, accompanied by cryptic emails, claims of global conspiracies, and allegations of war crimes. Was Livelsberger a man broken by personal and professional turmoil, or was he a whistleblower silenced by forces larger than himself? Let’s unravel the threads.
Who Was Matthew Livelsberger? At 37, Matthew Livelsberger was the epitome of military excellence. A U.S. Army Green Beret with a career spanning nearly two decades, his accolades included five Bronze Stars—one with a valor device for courage under fire. He served in intelligence and combat roles in Afghanistan, earning the respect of peers and superiors alike.
But beneath the polished image lay signs of a man grappling with inner demons. Reports suggest Livelsberger suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the lingering effects of a traumatic brain injury. Compounding his struggles was recent turmoil in his personal life his wife had allegedly left him following accusations of infidelity.
Despite these challenges, Livelsberger’s outward demeanour remained calm, even upbeat. Friends noted no significant changes in his behaviour leading up to the explosion, a fact that only deepens the mystery of his final days.
The Event: A Cybertruck Loaded with Fireworks
On December 28, 2024, Livelsberger rented a Tesla Cybertruck through the Turo app in Denver, Colorado. By January 1, the vehicle was parked outside the Trump International Hotel, loaded with fireworks and fuel canisters. Livelsberger reportedly shot himself inside the truck, triggering a contained explosion.
The design of the Cybertruck, famously touted by Elon Musk as “bulletproof,” absorbed much of the blast’s force, preventing mass casualties. Seven bystanders were injured, but the relatively minimal destruction raises questions about Livelsberger’s true intentions. Was this a calculated attempt to minimise harm while amplifying his message?
The Manifesto: A Whistleblower’s Last Words?
Days before the explosion, Livelsberger sent an email to Sam Shoemate, a social media personality with a reputation for exposing military wrongdoing. Livelsberger’s message was ominous and dramatic: he claimed the contents of his email could "change the course of humanity."
Key Revelations in the Email: War Crimes in Afghanistan
Livelsberger detailed alleged U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Nimruz Province in 2019, which he claimed killed hundreds of civilians in a single day. He accused the Department of Defense, CIA, and DEA of covering up these incidents, referring to them as war crimes swept under the rug to protect U.S. interests.
Key Revelations in the Email: Anti-Gravity Drones
He described the operational use of “gravitic propulsion systems”—essentially anti-gravity drones—capable of unparalleled speed and stealth. According to Livelsberger, both the U.S. and China have weaponized this technology, with China using it as a show of force along the East Coast.
Fear of Retaliation: Livelsberger claimed he had been under surveillance by the FBI and Homeland Security for over a week, alleging they were hesitant to apprehend him because he was armed and had what he described as a “massive VBID” (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device).
Call to Action: In his email, Livelsberger urged Shoemate to elevate his claims to major media outlets, including Fox News and other high-profile platforms. He insisted this was a matter of national security, hinting at a looming “mutually assured destruction” scenario.
Conspiracy Theories Take Flight. If the manifesto wasn’t cryptic enough, the details surrounding Livelsberger’s death have added fuel to conspiracy theories.
The Signal Anomaly. Shoemate revealed that Livelsberger’s Signal messaging account displayed activity after his death. Signal’s safety number, which changes only when devices or accounts are manipulated, updated on January 1—the same day as the explosion. Was someone tampering with his account posthumously? Or, as some speculate, could Livelsberger still be alive?
The DNA Question. A report circulating among military insiders claimed that Livelsberger’s DNA did not match that of his son. Was this revelation a motive for his actions, or a convenient narrative to discredit him? Either way, the timing of this disclosure has raised eyebrows.
A Carefully Chosen Target. Why did Livelsberger choose the Trump International Hotel? Theories abound. Some suggest it was symbolic—a critique of American leadership or an attempt to garner maximum media attention. Others speculate a personal connection, citing alleged anti-Trump posts by his wife.
The method of execution also points to a calculated act. Livelsberger used fireworks, not high-grade explosives, suggesting he wanted to create a spectacle without causing mass harm. The choice of a Cybertruck—a vehicle known for its durability—further supports this theory.
The New Orleans Connection. On the same day as the Las Vegas explosion, another attack occurred in New Orleans. The perpetrator, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, also had a military background, leading to speculation about a coordinated effort. However, no concrete evidence links the two incidents, and investigators remain sceptical of any direct connection.
Unanswered Questions
1. Was Livelsberger Acting Alone?
There’s no evidence linking Livelsberger to a larger network, but his military background and the sophistication of his claims have raised suspicions.
2. What Was the True Purpose of His Email?
Was Livelsberger a whistleblower exposing the dark underbelly of U.S. military operations, or was he spiralling into paranoia, fuelled by conspiracy theories?
3. Who Manipulated His Signal Account?
Posthumous activity on his Signal account remains one of the most baffling aspects of this case. Was it the FBI, as some suspect, or something even more sinister?
The Fallout: Livelsberger’s actions have sparked renewed discussions about veteran mental health, government transparency, and the ethical dilemmas of modern warfare. His claims, if proven true, could have far-reaching implications, from exposing war crimes to questioning the integrity of U.S. intelligence agencies.
A Mystery That Refuses to Rest: Matthew Livelsberger’s story is a jigsaw puzzle missing crucial pieces. His life, his manifesto, and his final act leave a haunting legacy, one that blurs the line between heroism and tragedy, truth and conspiracy.
Was he a lone wolf trying to sound the alarm, or a pawn in a larger game? As investigations continue, the answers remain elusive. One thing is clear: 2025 has started with a story that won’t fade quietly into the night.
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