DISINFO: The Ukrainian trident is a Nazi symbol
SUMMARY
Matthew Lievelsberger has previously posted a photo on social networks in which he wore clothing with pro-Ukrainian Nazi symbols. In a photo of him and his wife Sarah, posted on Facebook, he wore a black T-shirt with the Nazi slogan “Glory to Ukraine.” Both the symbol and phrase on his T-shirt are Nazi.
RESPONSE
Conspiracy theory not backed by any evidence, exploiting the detonation of a Cybertruck vehicle outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas on 01 January 2025 to advance a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative trying to associate Ukraine with terrorism.
The person referred to in the case, has been reported as the man who drove a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on New Years Day 2025. According to the media reports, he was an active-duty US special forces soldier who shot himself before the blast which police described as appearing to be a 'tragic case of suicide'.
The Ukrainian trident, or ‘tryzub,’ remains one of Ukraine’s most iconic symbols. Shaped like a spear with three prongs, its history goes back centuries.
Volodymyr the Great, one of Ukraine’s most revered figures, included the symbol on coins when he ruled Kyiv from 980 to 1015. In 1918, the Ukrainian People’s Republic government approved the trident as a state coat of arms.
Although the Nazis used many old traditional symbols, like the Swastika, the trident is not known for its association with the Third Reich.
On February 19, 1992, the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, approved the Small State Emblem of Ukraine. In 1996, its status was enshrined in the Constitution.
The slogan ‘Glory to Ukraine’ is inappropriately labelled as Nazi. It was first used by the Kharkiv Ukrainian students' association at the end of the 19th century. The greeting ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ was officially adopted by the UPR Army on 19 April 1920. Today, the phrase ‘Slava Ukraini' – ‘Glory to Ukraine’ – is a testimony of solidarity during the defense against the full-scale military invasion of the country by Russia. People from all political sides around the world use it.
Calling opponents Nazis by principle can be considered hate speech.
Read also related cases such as: ‘Slava Ukraini’ is the slogan of the Union of Ukrainian Fascists, French media report that Zelensky bought a luxury hotel in Courchevel for 88 million euros, Ukrainian Nazis kill civilians, The EU glorifies Nazism.