To Las Vegas, Nevada
Matthew Livelsberger, a decorated US Special Forces veteran, was found dead in Las Vegas on Wednesday, aboard a Tesla Cybertruck that he crashed into the bottom of Trump Tower. Aged 37, Matthew Livelsberger, who suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. “This appears to be a tragic case of suicide involving a decorated veteran […] who struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues,” said Spencer Evans, the FBI agent in charge of the investigation.
This explosion, which occurred a few hours after a car-ramming attack that left 14 dead in New Orleans, immediately raised questions about possible coordination between the two incidents. However, according to investigators' initial conclusions, “no link” has been established between Matthew Livelsberger and a terrorist organization, nor with the attack in New Orleans.
Complex motivations
Despite the incident's proximity to Trump Tower and speculation about the political relationship between Tesla boss Elon Musk and Donald Trump, the FBI said no particular hostility toward the newly elected Republican president appeared to have motivated Matthew Livelsberger. “He had no animosity towards the president,” insisted Spencer Evans. According to CNN, he even expressed support for President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
A search of Matthew Livelsberger's phone revealed two letters written by the soldier. He mentions “political grievances”, “questions about conflicts elsewhere” in the world, as well as “societal problems” and “personal challenges”. Las Vegas Sheriff's Deputy Dori Koren said the letters suggest unclear motivations and deep distress. Spencer Evans also added that “other family issues […] in his own life…may have been contributing factors.”
“A wake-up call”
In one of the letters, Matthew Livelsberger writes: “We are the United States of America, the greatest country that has ever existed. But right now we are fatally ill and heading towards collapse. It was not a terrorist attack, but a wake-up call. » He also justifies the choice of a spectacular staging by explaining that “Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence”.
The remains of the Tesla Cybertruck which exploded in front of Trump Tower in Las Vegas, Wednesday January 1, 2025.– Las Vegas Metropolitan Police De/SIPA
Through his writings, he seems to want to denounce the political and social drift of his country, while highlighting the after-effects of his military career. “I needed to rid my mind of the brothers I lost and to relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took,” he confides in a particularly poignant passage.
Find our file on the United States
Separately, investigators said Matthew Livelsberger documented his purchases of firearms, camping equipment and other items in an “activity log” from Dec. 21 to Dec. 31. Finally, investigators said they continue to review “extensive content” related to the case, including two cell phones and other evidence. However, they insisted on the absence of any terrorist links.
