A shocking incident unfolded outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial was taking place. A man, identified as Max Azzarello, set himself on fire after throwing pamphlets containing conspiracy theories into the air.
According to senior police officer Joseph Kenny, the pamphlets contained information about Ponzi schemes and alleged connections between local educational institutes and organized crime. Azzarello had traveled from Florida to New York for the protest and is currently in critical condition.
In a manifesto titled “The Ponzi Papers,” Azzarello shared various theories linking crypto billionaires, Bill Clinton, Jeffrey Epstein, Rob Lowe, and an “apocalyptic fascist world coup.” The manifesto, which spanned over 2,600 words, declared his act of self-immolation as a protest to draw attention to what he believed was a totalitarian conspiracy.
Prior to the incident, Azzarello was seen protesting outside the courthouse with a sign accusing Trump and Biden of planning a fascist coup. Videos of him reading excerpts from his manifesto and urging viewers to spark a revolution have circulated online.
Authorities have labeled Azzarello as a conspiracy theorist and are investigating the incident. Despite his critical condition, he remains alive. The shocking act has sparked a debate on the influence of conspiracy theories and the lengths some individuals are willing to go to make their beliefs known.