Former Green Beret sniper issues astonishing defense of Cybertruck bomber after appearing together in military reality TV show

Former Green Beret sniper and MMA fighter Tim Kennedy, 45, has spoken out in defense of the Army soldier who blew himself up in a Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day.

Kennedy appeared alongside Matthew Livelsberger, 37, in a 2013 military-style reality TV show titled Ultimate Soldier Challenge, which featured the pair Compete in grueling soldier skills challenges.

In sharing what he remembered about Livelsberger, who was known on the show as “Matt Burg,” Kennedy said he believes his former friend’s actions were those of a “broken” man.

‘This doesn’t look like a bad apple. It looks like someone who is hurt, broken or very scared,” Kennedy explained.

“It’s heartbreaking and I really hope this is a wake-up call for service members to check in on each other.

“There were five, six events we did on this reality competition show, mostly based on soldiers’ skills, and in every case he seemed like a great person. None of this is right,” Kennedy explained.

Kennedy painted a picture of a man very different from the unhinged personality revealed in Livelsberger’s disturbing letters, which expose his propensity for anger and violence.

‘I really enjoyed the time I spent with him and found him incredibly skilled and talented as a Special Forces operator. I was floored, to be honest. I didn’t know what to do or say,” a shocked Kennedy said.

The MMA fighter’s reflections offer a glimpse into the complexities of a man who, just a few years ago, excelled in his military service while taking on challenges on the reality TV show.

‘This was not a terrorist attack, it was a wake-up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacle and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt involving fireworks and explosives,” Livelsberger wrote in a letter found by authorities.

Livelsberger’s military credentials and reputation left Kennedy reeling. “From start to finish, absolutely, he was a great guy,” Kennedy insisted.

‘He was fit, he could shoot well and he could communicate well. None of this is right. He was a talented Green Beret and everyone enjoyed working with him.”

The Green Berets are highly trained special forces of the United States Army who specialize in guerrilla warfare and unconventional combat tactics.

When he heard the news that Livelsberger had blown up his vehicle while he was still in the car, injuring seven innocent victims, Kennedy expressed his disbelief.

“It took about 36 hours, honestly,” Kennedy said during an interview with Fox News.

“About a day and a half later, more pictures of what he looked like earlier in his life — 10 years ago, 15 years ago, when I knew him — started appearing before I could put it together. I was stunned and speechless.’

His letters show that he probably fell into disillusionment and despair.

Livelsberger’s journey from decorated Special Forces operative to suspect accused of such a violent plot, and someone Kennedy once admired, has shocked the military community.

“On the Special Forces side, he was a top-notch communications sergeant and Special Forces intelligence sergeant on a Team Zulu. He has gone through all the checks and balances. None of this makes sense,” Kennedy said.

Livelsberger rose through the ranks and was deployed twice to Afghanistan and served in Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia and Congo, according to the military.

He recently returned from an overseas assignment in Germany and was on approved leave when he committed suicide.

Livelsberger’s letters covered a range of topics, including political grievances, social problems, and both domestic and international issues, including the war in Ukraine. He said in a letter that the US was “terminally ill and heading towards collapse.”

“His current status was one of him being a good soldier, and it’s clear that something broke in the few months leading up to what happened in front of Trump Tower in Las Vegas,” Kennedy said.

‘These are very frightening letters from someone who is so talented in so many different things. The selection process for Green Berets is tough and they are very special. You see this very rarely.

‘This doesn’t look like a bad apple. It seems like someone is hurt, broken, or very scared. I haven’t been able to find words for the past day and a half.’

The fallout from Livelsberger’s actions has raised questions about the pressure elite soldiers face and the warning signs that may have been missed.

His descent from a highly skilled Special Forces operator to a man seemingly consumed by rage serves as a chilling reminder of the invisible battles that many soldiers can face.

According to Inside editionDuring the show, Livelsburger spoke about his love for guns and at one point had to shut down production due to heat exhaustion

Details about the Colorado man have emerged quickly, most recently through an unhinged suicide email discovered by several people who received it.

Two other notes recorded on his phone and recovered by police made it clear that his motive was not terrorism or violence, just to draw attention to his manifesto.

Livelsberger sent the suicide email or “manifesto” to retired U.S. Army intelligence officer Sam Shoemate shortly before the bombing.

The email claimed that the mysterious drones seen over New Jersey and sometimes other parts of the East Coast were Chinese weapons.

Livelsberger warned that they could be well armed, attack anywhere and pose “the most dangerous threat to national security that has ever existed.”

Investigators were looking into whether the bombing was related to the terrorist attack in New Orleans, or whether it was motivated by Livelsberger’s personal problems.

The FBI said at a news conference Friday afternoon that he acted alone and that his behavior was fueled by PTSD and various personal grievances.

“While this incident is more public and sensational than usual, it ultimately appears to be a tragic case of suicide involving a highly decorated combat veteran struggling with PTSD and other issues,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans. Las Vegas division, said.