A statement does not equal truth. Even when the person who makes the statement then dies in a spectacular fashion.
COMMENTARY by Susan Katz Keating
Much chatter has been circulating about Friday’s episode of The Shawn Ryan Show, featuring material allegedly written by suspected Cybertruck bomber Matt Livelsberger. A guest on the show said that Livelsberger, an active duty Green Beret, emailed him a lengthy statement in the lead-up to the shocking incident in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day. That’s when Liversberger allegedly detonated a Cybertruck in front of the Trump International Hotel. He was found dead inside the vehicle, authorities said.
I want to say up front that I have great respect for all the military podcasters and the work they produce. I enjoy The Shawn Ryan Show. But I also want to encourage people to consume the news, including podcasts, with detached analysis.
The alleged statement from Livelsberger makes some jaw-dropping claims. Among them, the United States is under a grave threat from Chinese anti-gravity technology, and that drones from China “basically have an unlimited payload capacity and can park it over the [White House] if they wanted. It’s checkmate.”
According to the podcast, Livelsberger wrote that he was being tracked by government agents, and hoped to flee into Mexico. The email also says that he helped whitewash war crimes for U.S. Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A), and implies that someone tried to kidnap him because of it.
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The email includes this pertaining to war crimes:
“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.”
One thing to note: A statement does not equal truth. Even when the person who makes the statement then dies in a spectacular fashion.
For perspective, I get a lot of emails at Soldier of Fortune. Many are from people who want to share very important information that will change the course of history. Several claim to have been abducted.
One man, for example, said he was being held captive by Kamala Harris, and was imprisoned in terrible conditions. He called himself “Exist.” He did not explain how he was able to get Internet access while in captivity, but his story was dramatic and alarming. I chose not to publish it as fact.
Aside from the recurring theme about kidnap and abduction, I mention this because “Exist” seemed to believe his claims, just as I am sure that Matt Livelsberger wrote his “manifesto” (if he in fact write it) in personal good faith.
But these communiques don’t always use logic. If “Exist” could reach me, he clearly could contact the police. If Livelsberger were being hunted because of covering up war crimes, what about other witnesses? If someone is tailing people with knowledge of misconduct, anyone involved in these supposed crimes should have been captured already.
One of the theories now being floated is that Matt Livelsberger faked his own death. This truly begs belief. The process would involve intricate plots involving a host of conspirators who themselves would fall into the trap that seemingly tormented Livelsberger – they would be hunted for taking part in a coverup.
On a more practical level, the “fake death” theory does not account for the distinctive tattoos that reportedly were on the dead body inside Livelsberger’s charred Tesla. Nor does it explain how the tattoos came to appear on a doppelganger body.
This entire episode has spooked people. Ryan announced on Friday that he has gone into hiding. Personal safety is always paramount, but I was surprised to learn the he decided to “disappear” for a few days.
Police in Las Vegas, meanwhile, on Friday read aloud another of Livelsberger’s writings. These add another aspect to a profoundly sad and puzzling story.
“This was not a terrorist attack, it was a wake up call,” Livelsberger wrote in a letter that was found on his phone. “Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives?”
What really transpired with Matt Liverlsberger? I didn’t know him, and I don’t know all the details, but I would look at mental health, personal issues, and whether he experienced one or more TBIs (Traumatic Brain Injuries).
More surely will emerge in the days and weeks to come. In the meanwhile, stay the course, keep your heads, and think carefully before accepting dramatic theories at face value.
Susan Katz Keating is the publisher and editor in chief at Soldier of Fortune.
