Podcaster Shawn Ryan Apologizes After Matthew Livelsberger Email Episode

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Shawn Ryan, host of The Shawn Ryan Show, apologized after he shared an email that a retired U.S. Army intelligence officer said he received from Matthew Livelsberger.

Livelsberger is believed to be the driver of a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ryan issued an apology on Sunday to Livelsberger's family and friends during an X Spaces appearance.

"If I said anything or did anything disrespectful to dishonor him, I apologize immediately," he said.

Why It Matters

Ryan first shared the email, which former Army officer Sam Shoemate says was sent to him, on Friday.

Livelsberger was a 37-year-old Army veteran who officials say shot himself in the back of the head in a Cybertruck before the car burst into flames outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas.

The local sheriff said the body inside the Cybertruck was burned "almost beyond recognition" and authorities are not "100 percent" sure if it is Livelsberger.

The incident is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack.

What To Know

Las Vegas FBI Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans told reporters on Friday that Livelsberger, who had been deployed to Afghanistan, was "struggling with PTSD and other issues" before the incident.

Around seven percent of veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their life, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Some studies have found that PTSD is three times more likely among veterans who were deployed versus those who were not in the same service period, the V.A. says.

Ryan said he had been made aware of Livelsberger's struggles and offered condolences to the suspect's family and friends.

"This was a human being who served his country honorably for years and I don't want to take away from that," Ryan said.

He added that he did not want to "attack" Livelsberger, but believed "the information was so important it had to come forward."

Ryan has over three million subscribers on YouTube and 1.2 million followers on Instagram. His followers on Instagram include Ivanka Trump and Joe Rogan

What Matthew Livelsberger Manifesto Said

The email publicized on Ryan's podcast has not yet been officially confirmed. Among other things, it makes allegations about drones, government surveillance and U.S. involvement in Afghanistan.

Did Police Confirm Matthew Livelsberger Manifesto Is Real?

Evans mentioned the alleged manifesto at a press conference on Friday. He said investigators believe Livelsberger wrote it, but they have not been able to verify it.

Las Vegas police authorities said they obtained two letters from one of Livelsberger's phones, which call on Americans and military service members to wake up and realize they are being led by "weak and feckless leadership."

Is Shawn Ryan in Hiding?

Prior to the release of Friday's episode, Ryan said on X that he and his family would be "disappearing for a few days."

"My account will be active but it will not be me behind the wheel. What we are about to release is mind boggling and will raise a lot of questions," Ryan wrote.

But after sending out the post, Ryan hosted an X Spaces event and released a new podcast episode. It is not clear when the episode, which was released Monday, was recorded.

What People Are Saying

Evans, at Friday's press conference: "Although this incident is more public and sensational than usual, it ultimately appears to be a tragic case of suicide involving a heavily decorated combat veteran who is struggling with PTSD and other issues."

Las Vegas Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren, at Friday's press conference: "We still have a large volume of data to go through. There are thousands if not millions of videos, photos, documents and web history that need to be analyzed."