The Latest on Green Beret Matthew Livelsberger and the Trump Hotel Tesla Explosion

On January 1, 2025, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, resulting in the death of the driver, Matthew Livelsberger, and injuries to seven bystanders. Livelsberger, a 37-year-old active-duty member of the U.S. Army Special Forces, orchestrated this incident, which has since raised numerous questions about his motives and the methods he employed, including the use of artificial intelligence in planning the attack.

Background on Matthew Livelsberger

Matthew Livelsberger was a decorated soldier with a history of deployments, including time stationed in Germany. Colleagues and family members described him as a dedicated and patriotic individual who had always aspired to serve in the Special Forces and joined as part of the 18X program.  In addition to his commendable service record, reports indicate that Livelsberger struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sustained a traumatic brain injury during his deployments, leading to significant mental health challenges. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence. 

The Incident

Livelsberger rented a Tesla Cybertruck in Denver on December 28, 2024, and drove over 800 miles to Las Vegas. On New Year’s Day, he parked the vehicle in the valet area of the Trump International Hotel and detonated a combination of fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel placed in the truck’s bed. The explosion caused minor injuries to seven individuals and resulted in Livelsberger’s death, which authorities believe was due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound prior to the detonation.

More on that in a bit.

Conspiracy Theories

We live in an internet-driven society fueled by conspiracy theories. Ask ten people, and you’ll probably still get ten different answers as to who killed JFK.

With that in mind, I’ll touch on some of the theories concerning “what really happened” in the Matt Livelsberger case. The truth is, no one is really 100% sure exactly of everything that happened and why. I’ll throw these ideas out there and let you sort out which ones you think are straight-up nuts and which ones may have some merit.

One theory suggests Livelsberger believed the U.S. government was secretly collaborating with China to develop advanced drones equipped with “gravity manipulation technology.” In what we’ll call a manifesto (it was written in the form of an email to retired Intel officer Sam Shoemate), he also warned about covert “gravitic” technology supposedly in use by both nations, which he feared could spark a potential World War III. These beliefs, though unsubstantiated, reflect his deep concerns about global conflicts and emerging technologies.

Another theory revolves around Livelsberger’s claims of assisting the first Trump administration in covering up alleged war crimes in Afghanistan in 2019. According to him, this cover-up resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians, fueling his disillusionment and sense of moral conflict. Adding to his paranoia, he believed he was under constant surveillance by the FBI or Department of Homeland Security, fearing they would stop him from fleeing to Mexico.

Despite initial speculation, FBI officials dismissed the idea that Livelsberger’s attack was politically motivated, stating he held no animosity toward Donald Trump. There was also early conjecture about a possible connection to a terrorist attack in New Orleans on the same day, but authorities later ruled out any link between the two incidents. I still have people who come to me and tell me, “But yeah, they both served at Fort Bragg,” as if that is some form of collusion. No, it is not.

Mental health struggles have also been highlighted as a significant factor in Livelsberger’s actions. Officials suggested he was grappling with severe PTSD and other mental health issues, which may have contributed to his behavior. Furthermore, his use of ChatGPT to plan the bombing added a technological angle to the incident, sparking concerns about how generative AI could be exploited for harmful purposes.

While these theories range from plausible to far-fetched, it’s important to note that many remain unverified. Authorities continue to investigate the incident to uncover the full extent of Livelsberger’s motivations and actions.

Deceit Uncovered: FBI’s story on Las Vegas bomber Falls Apart https://t.co/h8AVaWuS8x

— Daniel Davis Deep Dive (@DanielLDavis1) January 5, 2025

I watched the full Daniel Davis Deep Dive video and came up with some images of my own. I believe they are a little more clear than what he presents. This looks like a man behind a steering wheel. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t, but I struggle to see how it could be Matthew Livelsberger after a self-inflicted .50 cal gunshot wound to the head.

Here we have photos of three .50 cal casings recovered from the cybertruck. As you can see, one appears to have been impacted by a firing pin.

Use of AI in Planning

Matthew Livelsberger extensively used ChatGPT, a generative AI platform, to plan his explosion at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. He utilized the platform to research critical aspects of his plan, such as the amount of explosives needed, where to buy fireworks, how much to purchase, and how fireworks compare to TNT and other explosives. He even explored what bullet velocity could ignite explosives and searched for ways to buy a firearm without revealing personal information. Additionally, he used ChatGPT to gather information about explosive targets, ammunition capabilities, and pyrotechnic regulations.

Yes, he may have used Chat GPT to get answers, but so what? The press is trying to make this revelation seem like a computer-aided him in the bombing. Livelsberger used GPT as a search engine, answering questions like we all ask the internet multiple times a day. Ok, so we may not ask “What velocity does a round have to be traveling to ignite tannerite?” but you get my drift.

This incident has been described as a “concerning moment” by Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, who noted it is likely the first case on U.S. soil where AI was used to assist in building a device for a violent attack. Investigators found “clear evidence” that Livelsberger relied on ChatGPT to plan his actions, which McMahill described as a “game changer” for law enforcement.

Again, I say WTF? This is no game-changer. He could have plugged those same inquiries into Google or Duck-Duck Go. In my humble opinion, GPT was just a more convenient way of getting an answer. Kind of an internet concierge service. Nothing groundbreaking in how he used it.

In response to the claims made by law enforcement, OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, stated that their models are designed to reject harmful instructions and limit access to harmful content. They explained that, in this case, ChatGPT provided only publicly available information and included warnings against illegal activities. Despite these safeguards, the incident has raised concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology for harmful purposes.

Law enforcement agencies, including Sheriff McMahill’s department, are now emphasizing the need to address the risks associated with AI misuse. This case has sparked conversations about the responsibility of AI developers to prevent such incidents and ensure their technology is not exploited for destructive purposes.

Please, people, let’s not censor the internet.

Motivations and Writings

Second Manifesto

Matthew Livelsberger’s six-page manifesto, recovered from his phone after the Cybertruck explosion, sheds light on his personal struggles and grievances. In the document, Livelsberger shared his dissatisfaction with the current administration and criticized various political, social, and cultural issues. He described feeling like a “shell of a human being” and opened up about his battles with PTSD, stemming from his military service.

I should note here that this document is separate from the two-page email shared with Sam Shoe and read on the Shawn Ryan show. The word “manifesto” has been thrown around quite a bit in the Livelsberger case. A manifesto is simply a written declaration of ones ideas, opinions, plans or views.

It is also different from the log that he kept on his phone. That is more of a chronological listing of his actions. Below is an excerpt from that log.

Livelsberger stated that his intention was never to harm anyone but himself. He expressed remorse for any unintended harm, writing, “I am deeply sorry to anyone that gets hurt.” His goal was to make his suicide as public as possible, believing that a dramatic act would draw attention to his grievances. He referred to the bombing as a “wake-up call,” not a terrorist attack, and saw it as a way to make a statement.

The second manifesto revealed a “constant evolution” in Livelsberger’s planning. Initially, he considered staging an attack at the Grand Canyon before deciding on the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. He admitted to being “super high on weed and drinking” while writing the manifesto, which reflected his deteriorating mental state leading up to the incident.

Throughout the manifesto, Livelsberger reflected on his overwhelming circumstances and the need to cleanse his mind of the burdens he carried from his military experiences. Law enforcement is still reviewing the document, which may include classified material, so only excerpts have been released to the public so far.

Summing Up

The Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion orchestrated by Matthew Livelsberger is a complex case involving the intersection of mental health issues, emerging technologies, and acts of violence. As investigations continue, it is crucial to address the underlying factors that contributed to this tragedy and the provision of adequate mental health support for veterans.