Matthew Livelsberger, a Green Beret and the main suspect in the Cybertruck attack in Las Vegas, reportedly sent a manifesto-like email to retired U.S. Army intelligence officer Sam Shoemate just days before a car bomb exploded in front of Trump International Hotel.
Shoemate revealed the email on The Shawn Ryan Show podcast, describing its contents as allegations of advanced drone technology, a cover-up of a 2019 airstrike in Afghanistan, and claims of being under U.S. government surveillance.
Newsweek reached out to The Shawn Ryan Show for comment on Friday via email.
Why It Matters
Firework mortars and camp fuel canisters were found inside the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside President-elect Donald Trump's Las Vegas hotel early Wednesday. The blast resulted in a single casualty, the suspect inside the vehicle, and sparked a thorough investigation into potential terrorism.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill described the body in the Cybertruck as "almost beyond recognition." On Thursday, authorities identified the victim as Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old U.S. Army veteran, who reportedly shot himself in the head moments before the explosion.
While investigators are still determining Livelsberger's motives for detonating the explosives outside the hotel, his alleged manifesto has provided some clues. In the document, Livelsberger raised questions about national security and U.S. military transparency, offering potential insight into his actions.
What To Know
Livelsberger allegedly sent an email to retired U.S. Army intelligence officer Sam Shoemate, detailing concerns about advanced drones using "GDIC propulsion systems," which he described as anti-gravity technology.
In the email, read on "The Shawn Ryan Podcast," Livelsberger claimed that the U.S. and China developed and deployed the drones. He alleged that China launched them from submarines along the U.S. East Coast, calling them "the most dangerous threat to national security" because of their stealth, ability to evade detection and unlimited payload capacity.
Livelsberger also referenced his involvement in a 2019 U.S. airstrike in Nimruz Province, Afghanistan. He claimed the operation, which targeted drug facilities, caused civilian casualties, including women and children, and was covered up by U.S. authorities. The allegations align with a 2019 U.N. report criticizing the strikes as unlawful. Livelsberger said the incident pushed him to speak out.
Additionally, he accused the FBI and Homeland Security of monitoring and tracking him, describing efforts to avoid being detained.
The only person who died as a result of the incident was the suspect, from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to police.
Is Manifesto Real?
After the alleged manifesto began circulating on social media following the podcast, reporters asked Las Vegas police and the FBI at a press conference if the suspect had written it. Authorities said they believe the letter shared by Shawn Ryan was authored by the bombing suspect.
What Does Manifesto Say?
Shoemate said Friday that he received an email from Livelsberger on Tuesday. According to Shoemate, the email said:
"In case I do not make it to my decision point or on to the Mexico border I am sending this now. Please do not release this until 1JAN and keep my identity private until then.
"First off I am not under duress or hostile influence or control. My first car was a 2006 Black Ford Mustang V6 for verification.
"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. Our OPEN location for this activity in the box is below.
"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.
"The so what is because of the speed and stealth of these unmanned AC, they are the most dangerous threat to national security that has ever existed. They basically have an unlimited payload capacity and can park it over the WH if they wanted. It's checkmate.
"USG needs to give the history of this, how we are employing it and weaponizing it, how China is employing them and what the way forward is. China is poised to attack anywhere in the east coast
"I've been followed for over a week now from likely homeland or FBI, and they are looking to move on me and are unlikely going to let me cross into Mexico, but won't because they know I am armed and I have a massive VBIED. I've been trying to maintain a very visible profile and have kept my phone and they are definitely digitally tracking me.
"I have knowledge of this program and also war crimes that were covered up during airstrikes in Nimruz province Afghanistan in 2019 by the admin, DoD, DEA and CIA. I conducted targeting for these strikes of over 125 buildings (65 were struck because of CIVCAS) that killed hundreds of civilians in a single day. USFORA continued strikes after spotting civilians on initial ISR, it was supposed to take 6 minutes and scramble all aircraft in CENTCOM. The UN basically called these war crimes, but the administration made them disappear. I was part of that cover-up with USFORA and Agent [Redacted] of the DEA. So I don't know if my abduction attempt is related to either. I worked with GEN Millers 10 staff on this as well as the response to Bala Murghab. AOB-S Commander at the time. [Redacted] can validate this.
"You need to elevate this to the media so we avoid a world war because this is a mutually assured destruction situation.
"For vetting my Linkedin is Matt Berg or Matthew Livelsberger, an active duty 18Z out of 1-10 my profile is public. I have an active TSSCI with UAP USAP access."
What People Are Saying
Spencer Evans, FBI Special Agent in Charge, at a news conference: "Although this incident is more public and more sensational than usual, it ultimately appears to be a tragic case of suicide involving a heavily decorated combat veteran who was struggling with PTSD and other issues."
Alicia Arritt, former girlfriend of Livelsberger, told the Associated Press: "He [Livelsberger] would go through periods of withdrawal, and he struggled with depression and memory loss."
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, on X, formerly Twitter: "The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards."
What Happens Next
Authorities are still working to determine a motive. Among the charred items found inside the truck were a handgun at Livelsberger's feet, another firearm, fireworks, a passport, a military ID, credit cards, an iPhone and a smartwatch, McMahill said. Authorities said both guns were purchased legally.
Investigators suspect Livelsberger may have been planning a more damaging attack, but the steel-sided vehicle absorbed much of the force from the crudely built explosive.
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