Hey everybody, welcome back to the Elon Musk Podcast.
This is a show where we discuss the critical crossroads, the
Shape, SpaceX, Tesla X, The Boring Company, and Neurolink.
I'm your host, Will Walden. This episode contains some
sensitive subject matter, so please be advised.
So what drives a decorated soldier to turn against the
country he once served? And how did a rented Tesla cyber
truck become the stage for a fiery spectacle outside a Las
Vegas hotel? Now?
What personal writings of Matthew Ellen Livelsberger
reveal about his state of mind in the days leading up to the
explosion? These are the questions that
were piercing together following the New Year's event at the
Trump International Hotel. Now, on January 1st, a Tesla
cyber truck erupted in flames at the entrance of the Trump Hotel
in Las Vegas, killing its driver, 37 year old Army veteran
Matthew Livolsberger. Assistant Sheriff Dory Corin of
the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that
Livolsberger had left behind a digital diary on his phone
offering insight into his motivations and his mental
state. Now, according to Kren, the
ratings were stark and critical of US leadership, describing the
country as terminally ill and headed toward collapse.
In one of the letters found on his phone, Livolsberger
addressed Americans directly, urging them to wake up and
accusing the nation's leaders of self-serving behavior.
He said this was not a terrorist attack, it was a wake up call.
He justified the explosion as a necessary quote stunt with
fireworks and explosives to capture attention, claiming that
Americans only respond to dramatic events.
He also reflected on personal burdens, including the deaths of
fellow soldiers and his own role in combat now.
Corinne emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing,
with authorities still combing through the evidence on
Livolsberger's phone. However, investigators have yet
to access a second phone found in the vehicle, which may
contain further details. So we have Spencer Evans, who's
a special agent in charge of the FB is Las Vegas division, saying
that Livolsberger likely suffered from PTSD, Post
traumatic Stress Disorder, compounded by personal
grievances and also family issues.
Evans stressed that while Livolsberger's writings were
alarming, there was no evidence of animosity toward
president-elect Donald Trump, whose hotel became the scene of
the explosion. Libelsberger's deteriorating
mental health and sense of disillusionment appeared to have
reached a breaking point. Despite his decorated military
service, which included deployments of Afghanistan,
Ukraine and Africa, those close to him revealed signs of
struggle. Alicia Aron, a former
girlfriend, described him as a proud soldier who battled
chronic pain and concealed his struggles from superiors.
Authorities confirmed Libelsburger's identity through
a combination of DNA analysis and tattoo recognition.
The tattoos, including a recently added triple Crescent
symbol near his elbow, were instrumental in identifying his
body, which had been badly burned in the explosion.
The Clark County Coroner determined that Livelsberger
died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, indicating he may have
planned his actions as a final statement.
Livelsberger was on approved military leave at the time of
the incident. He rented the cyber truck in
Colorado, drove it to Vegas, loading the vehicle with
fireworks and gasoline that ultimately caused the explosion.
Now, while the Las Vegas explosion drew median attention,
authorities have ruled out connections to a separate attack
in New Orleans on the same day that killed 14 people on Bourbon
Street. Evans stated that any
similarities between the incidents, such as both suspects
renting vehicles from the same company, were just a
coincidence. Now Levels Burger social media
activity painted a picture of a man deeply engaged in political
discourse. Fellow soldiers described his
post as patriotic and pro military, but noted that his
views sometimes cause friction within his ranks.
Said it posted a lot of political messages on social
media that made some of us uncomfortable, 1 soldier
remarked. And despite his strong opinions,
Livelsberger was remembered as a dedicated teammate and a
patriotic soldier. Two soldiers who served with him
in recent years expressed shock at his actions, describing him
as someone who was not prone to violence.
Now, Livosberger's nearly two decade military career included
service in the National Guard, Army Reserve and active duty
army. He deployed to several conflict
zones, including Afghanistan, where he completed multiple
tours between 2017 and 2019. He also served in Ukraine and
the Republic of the Congo, and he has a varied but demanding
career because of it. His personal life, though,
appeared tumultuous. Public records reveal a divorce
in 2018 and a marriage in 2022. In a recent years, the
Wolsberger welcomed a new child, as evidenced by social media
photos of him and his partner cradling a newborn.
Now outside of his military service, Libelsberger's unlike
presence was sparse but revealing.
He documented travels to destinations like Thailand,
Italy and Puerto Rico, contributing photos and reviews
on platform like TripAdvisor and Google Maps.
These glimpses into his personal life contrast sharply with the
violent act that marked his final days.
And as investigators continue to unravel motives behind his
actions, his writings offer a troubling insight into his state
of mind. His call for Americans to pay
attention through violence raises uncomfortable questions
about how society addresses mental health, especially
amongst veterans. Louisville Stories Louisville's
Burger's story is a complex tapestry of patriotism,
disillusionment, and unresolved pain for those who serve
alongside him and those left behind to grapple with his
actions. The shock waves of his final act
are likely to linger long after the hysical damage has been
repaired. Hey, thank you so much for
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