The FBI has confirmed that the bombing of a fertility clinic in Palm Springs was motivated by anti-natalist ideology.
Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, has been named by authorities as the individual suspected of setting off the explosive during Saturday’s incident, which claimed his own life.
NBC reports:
Investigators are focusing on social media posts made by the suspect, including a 30-minute audio recording, which they say support anti-natalist views.
While the posts and the recording are still being verified, officials believe they reflect the ideology behind the bombing. Anti-natalism refers to the belief that no one should have children.
The same person may also be linked to an online forum post from earlier this month in which the individual contemplated suicide using an explosive device, the sources said.
They are also investigating a YouTube account, under the same moniker, that features videos of experiments with homemade explosives.
Natalism is the belief that societies should encourage childbirth and population growth, often through policies or cultural messaging that promote family life and higher birth rates.
It is often supported by conservatives, with Elon Musk being its most famous proponent.
However, some left-leaning voices also back natalist policies, particularly in countries such as Japan and South Korea that are facing exisential demographic decline.
The man who died bombing the fertility clinic in Palm Springs, Calif. allegedly did it as an act of war against the pro-life and pro-natalist movement. A manifesto allegedly written by the man was posted online before the bombing.
It has some similarities to the rantings of the… pic.twitter.com/30FaRJdoS0
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) May 18, 2025
During a Sunday press briefing, officials stated that the suspect may have been trying to broadcast the attack live and confirmed they are examining what they referred to as a “manifesto.”
In this manifesto, which took the form of a 30-minute audio recording, Barkus explained his motives for the attack, which included the belief that humans had never given consent to being alive.
“I figured I would just make a recording explaining why I’ve decided to bomb an IVF building, or clinic,” he explained.
”Basically, it just comes down to I’m angry that I exist and that, you know, nobody got my consent to bring me here.”
The alleged Palm Springs bomber in his own words speaks about why he did this. I found this on his man*fest* website and put the images together of the aftermath. You are welcome to post on other platf*rms. pic.twitter.com/AFnHPPkaxB
— MichaelDouglasCarlin (@MichaelDCarlin) May 18, 2025
In more positive developments, all those injured in the blast have now been released from hospital.
