Complex Motives, Mental Illness Seem to Explain Motivation of Las Vegas Trump Tower Bomber Matt Livelsberger

The individual involved in the explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas was identified as Matthew Alan Livelsberger, a 37-year-old active-duty U.S. special forces soldier. He died in the blast, which occurred on New Year's Day 2025. Police say he shot himself immediately after touching off the detonator in his rented Tesla Cybertruck.

Livelsberger, 37, rented the Cybertruck in Colorado Springs, via the Turo app, and driving it across the border to Nevada on Wednesday morning, stopping at various charging stations along the route. He drove to Las Vegas not by the most direct route, but adding hours to his trip by taking the "Northern Route." It is not known why. Some have speculated that he simply couldn't figure out how to correctly use the rented Tesla's built in GPS.

Podcast host Shawn Ryan claims a guest received an email from Livelsberger that weaved a complex conspiracy theory around Area 51, Chinese drones and anti gravity technology. "What we have been seeing with "drones" is the operational use of gravitic propulsion systems powered aircraft by most recently China in the east coast, but throughout history, the US. Only we and China have this capability. . . .

"China has been launching them from the Atlantic from submarines for years, but this activity recently has picked up. As of now, it is just a show of force and they are using it similar to how they used the balloon for sigint and isr, which are also part of the integrated coms system. There are dozens of those balloons in the air at any given time." This quote allegedly from Livelsberger himself.

Livelsberger's manifesto spoke of Chinese and US cooperation on anti-gravity technology involving drones. Area 51, he said, is the center of the program.

Livelsberger was a Green Beret, which is a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces. He served in the Army for 19 years and was highly decorated for his service. He also appears to have lost his sanity in the last several weeks of his life.

"The circumstances surrounding Matthew Livelsberger's actions, including the explosion of the Tesla Cybertruck, have led to speculation about his mental state, but authorities have not officially labeled him as insane. Investigators have ruled the incident a likely suicide, indicating he may have been struggling with significant issues prior to the event," said the New York Post.

"Livelsberger was reported to have been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, and he had been receiving mental health treatment prior to the incident" said USA Today.

"Livelsberger's motive appears to have been a tragic attempt to raise awareness about societal issues, as he left a note stating that the explosion was a "stunt" meant to serve as a "wakeup call" for the country's problems. Investigators believe he was struggling with PTSD and other personal issues, and ultimately, it seems to have been a case of suicide rather than a politically motivated attack." writes PBS.