The man who set himself on fire during Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York City was a fan of Taylor Swift who frequently referred to the pop star in his online rants.
Maxwell Azzarello, 37, doused himself with an alcoholic substance before taking a lighter to his clothes near Manhattan Criminal Court on Friday.
He was seen kneeling with his hands behind his head engulfed in flames as the world’s media and shocked onlookers looked on.
The protester was taken away on a stretcher by NYPD officers and is in critical condition in the hospital.
But weeks before he set himself on fire, Azzarello, who describes himself as a research researcher, had posted about Swift at least three times on his Instagram Stories.
Maxwell Azzarello, 37, posted about Taylor Swift outside the ongoing Donald Trump trial in New York weeks before he set himself on fire
He was seen kneeling with his hands behind his head engulfed in flames as the world’s media and shocked onlookers looked on. NYPD officers rushed to extinguish the flames.
But weeks before he set himself on fire, Azzarello, who describes himself as a research researcher, had posted about Taylor Swift three times on his Instagram Stories
In one of his uploads from late February, the Florida native reposted an AI image of Swift dressed as Wonder Woman with the caption: “Super Bowl LVII forecast: 100% chance of broflakes melting and wailing across the country.” ‘
Under the AI image, Azzarello wrote: “Why are we all so divided? Because the people who stole the American Dream are shouting, “You’re divided! You’re divided!” in all directions’.
At the same time, he shared another AI-generated photo of Swift sitting in a blood-covered oyster with multiple arms, with the caption: “Taylor Swift demands a sacrifice.”
Azzarello added his own thoughts to the caption, further writing, “An ironic doomsday cult is still a doomsday cult.”
In one of his stories from late February, the Florida native reposted an AI image of Swift dressed as Wonder Woman
At the same time, he shared another AI-generated photo of Swift sitting in a blood-covered oyster with multiple arms
But after a series of cryptic AI-generated images, the conspiracy theorist posted a real photo of Swift holding a peace sign from her 2022 speech at New York University.
An hour before he set himself on fire, Azarello posted a text to his Instagram Story that merely repeated the words “I love you.”
Moments before setting himself on fire, Azzarello was seen throwing leaflets into the air with a link to the Substack account explaining his actions before setting himself on fire.
But after a series of cryptic AI-generated images, the conspiracy theorist posted a real photo of Swift holding a peace sign from her 2022 speech at New York University.
He praised the billionaire, writing: “Still her best photo.”
An hour before he set himself on fire, Azzarello posted a text message to his Instagram Story that repeated the words “I love you.”
Moments before setting himself on fire, he was seen throwing leaflets into the air with a link to the Substack account explaining his actions before setting himself on fire.
The blog was titled, “I set myself on fire outside the Trump trial.”
The conspiracy theorist claimed in the blog post that his “extreme act of protest” was intended to shine a light on what he called a “totalitarian scam.”
He wrote that the government was “about to hit us with an apocalyptic fascist world coup.”
Azzarello added, “To my friends and family, witnesses and first responders: I deeply apologize for causing you this pain. But I assure you it is just a drop in the bucket compared to what our government is planning.”
Trump is currently on trial in Manhattan over hush money payments to former adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election
A post published just before the horrific incident reads: “I set myself on fire outside the Trump trial.”
The pamphlets found at the scene refer to a Substack written by ‘investigative researcher’ Max Azzarello
He had traveled to New York City a week ago and said on his Instagram that he would be staying in Washington Square Park.
Trump is currently on trial in Manhattan over hush money payments to former adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election.
He has denied 34 allegations of falsifying company documents and says all legal experts believe the allegations are exaggerated.
Trump was outside the courtroom but still inside the courthouse when Azzarello set himself on fire.
The full jury of seven men and five women had already been selected for his hush money trial and a search for alternates was underway today.
Its members include an investment banker and a speech therapist, who admits he “doesn’t like” his policies.
The last two alternate jurors were seated Friday afternoon. According to reporters in the courtroom, Trump appeared to fall asleep again as jury selection continued.
Judge Juan M. Merchan, seemingly oblivious to what was unfolding outside, told the newly selected jurors that opening statements are scheduled for Monday at 9:30 a.m.
At the White House, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about Azzarello during the daily briefing.
“It’s very sad news,” Jean-Pierre responded, saying she learned about the “developing situation” through live news coverage.
Authorities said they were also reviewing security protocols outside the courthouse.
‘We are very concerned. Of course, we will be reviewing our security protocols,” said department head Jeffrey Maddrey.
Earlier this evening, Trump confirmed that he would testify to reporters outside the courtroom at some point in the trial.