Conspiracy Theorist Who Set Himself On Fire Outside NYC Courthouse Where Trump Is On Trial Dies At 37

A man from Florida set himself on fire outside the New York City courthouse where former President Donald Trump was on trial and died of his injuries on Saturday. The man, identified as Max Azzarello from St. Augustine, Florida, stood across the street from the courthouse as the jury finalized Trump’s trial.

Azzarello, 37, stood in the barricaded park, dumped an accelerant over him, then set himself on fire. Onlookers watched and screamed as flames engulfed Azzarello. A conspiracy theorist, Azzarello, was photographed with a poster that said, “Trump is with Biden, and they’re about to fascist coup us.”

Azzarello had also thrown pamphlets into the air before lighting himself on fire. The colorful pamphlets were titled “The True History of The World,” with a tagline that said, “Our only goal: Abolish our criminal government and replace it with one that serves all.”

In a Substack page linked in the pamphlet, Azzarello had posted a nearly 3,000-word manifesto online with the heading, “I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial.” Azzarello stated in the post he decided to self-immolate as an “extreme act of protest” against an “apocalyptic fascist world coup.”

According to FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, three NYPD officers and one court officer suffered minor injuries after they jumped in to help extinguish the flames. First responders transported Azzarello to the hospital, who experienced severe burns. Azzarello has died from his injuries.

Before his death, Azzarello was involved in numerous altercations in Florida and New York. In August 2023, he threw a glass of wine at a framed autograph from former President Bill Clinton in a hotel restaurant in St. Augustine. Days later, he reappeared dressed only in underwear and shouted profanities.

Azzarello dubbed himself an “investigative researcher” who posted anti-government rhetoric on social media. He claimed his research into Peter Thiel, CEO of PayPal, shaped his views on the American government.

After Azzarello set himself on fire, authorities brought in a bomb squad and police dogs to investigate the area. NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey told reporters, “Of course, we’re going to look at everything and the magnitude of what’s going on around here. We’ll reassess our security with our security with our federal partners. We’re going to consider whether we have to shut this area down.”

Last week at the trial, the judge accused Trump of trying to “intimidate” witnesses.