The man suspected of orchestrating the deadly explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas was a fervent supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, according to a report from The Independent.
Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old Green Beret who died in the explosion on Wednesday, had strong Republican leanings, sources close to his family said. His relatives revealed during interviews with investigators that Livelsberger, who served nearly two decades in the U.S. Army, was an ardent Trump supporter and had voted for the former president in the 2020 election.
Livelsberger’s family confirmed to The Independent that he was “always a very, very patriotic soldier,” with his uncle Dean adding that his nephew’s political views were part of the reason he served in Special Forces. “He loved Trump,” Dean said. “He was always very, very patriotic.”
Facebook posts and other online comments from Livelsberger, including statements from his uncle, suggest that his political views aligned with Trump’s conservative ideals. According to The Independent, records show Livelsberger had registered with the No Labels party in 2020, a centrist political group that backs moderate candidates.
Livelsberger reportedly rented the Cybertruck in his hometown of Colorado Springs and drove it to Las Vegas, where it exploded just steps from the Trump International Hotel. While the explosion caused significant damage, only seven people were injured, and Livelsberger was the sole fatality. Authorities are still investigating the motives behind the incident.
Livelsberger’s background as a Special Operations soldier, highly trained in communications and bomb detection, has raised further questions about the nature of the attack. CNN’s John Miller, the network’s chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst, noted that Livelsberger’s military expertise likely played a role in how he orchestrated the blast. “He was highly trained in communications and electronic measures for bomb detections and intelligence operations,” Miller said.
The location of the explosion — in close proximity to prominent Trump signage — has led some to speculate that the blast may have been intended as a political statement. Although authorities have not yet confirmed a clear motive, some experts believe the Cybertruck could have been used as a symbol of both Tesla owner Elon Musk’s support for Trump and the location’s proximity to Trump’s flagship hotel.
Livelsberger’s military training and experience as a Remote and Autonomous Systems Manager with the U.S. Army suggests that he could have crafted a more sophisticated explosive device than what was ultimately used. His LinkedIn profile, which included a photo of him holding an assault rifle, lists his most recent role overseeing drone operations within the Army.
His uncle, Dean, described Livelsberger as a “super soldier” who had the skills to design more advanced weapons. Livelsberger had completed nearly 19 years of service and was a year away from receiving full military benefits at the time of his death.
In addition to his military credentials, Livelsberger’s social media activity reflects a range of conservative views. He often commented on military-related posts and once criticized former national security advisor John Bolton’s memoir, suggesting Bolton had been paid by the Democratic National Committee to publish his book.
The Independent provided further details on Livelsberger’s personal life, including his past marriage to Sara Livelsberger, who reportedly held different political views. Their divorce was finalized some years ago, and she has not responded to media inquiries regarding the incident.
