Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside Courthouse Where Trump is on Trial
Summary from the AllSides News Team
A man set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump’s trial is taking place.
For Context: Trump is currently in New York on trial for business fraud stemming from allegations that he covered up hush money payments made shortly before the 2016 election to an adult film star.
Details: The man has been identified as Max Azzarello, 37. Before setting himself on fire, he scattered pamphlets around the area titled “The True History of the World (Haunted Carnival Edition).” A substack account that appears to belong to Azzarello published a post earlier today titled “I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial.” This post describes the incident as an “extreme act of protest is to draw attention to an urgent and important discovery: We are victims of a totalitarian con, and our own government (along with many of their allies) is about to hit us with an apocalyptic fascist world coup.” Azzarello was taken away in an ambulance and was later pronounced dead.
Key Quotes: CNN (Lean Left bias) reporter Laura Coates was nearby when Azzarello started the fire. Speaking on camera, Coates said, “We are watching a man who is fully emblazoned in front of the courthouse today. We are watching multiple fires breaking out around his body and person. We have seen an arm that has been visible, that has been engulfed in total flames.”
How the Media Covered It: The story was widely covered across the media spectrum. Many outlets referred to Azzarello as a "conspiracy theorist."
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Man Sets Himself on Fire Near Courthouse Where Trump Is on TrialA man set himself on fire on Friday afternoon near the Lower Manhattan courthouse where jurors were being chosen for the criminal trial of former President Donald J. Trump.
The man doused himself with accelerant at around 1:35 p.m. in Collect Pond Park, across the street from the courthouse. Onlookers screamed and started to run, and soon, bright orange flames engulfed the man. It was unclear what motivated his action, but he threw leaflets espousing anti-government conspiracy theories into the air before the incident.
People rushed to extinguish the fire,...
From the Center
Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside Donald Trump TrialAn individual set themselves on fire on Friday afternoon outside of former President Donald Trump's Manhattan criminal trial.
Several news networks including Fox News and CNN reported that a man was seen setting himself in flames outside of the courthouse on Friday. Newsweek reporter Katherine Fung said, "We hear sirens from inside the courthouse."
The Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information (DCPI) for the New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed to Newsweek that first responders were "aiding a person outside the courthouse."
CNN anchor Laura Coates was seen...
From the Right
Man sets himself on fire outside courthouse of Trump trialA man set himself on fire outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump is being tried for an alleged hush money payment.
On Friday, with several news cameras present, a man set himself on fire. The act occurred near where a group of Trump supporters were protesting. The presence of security barricades hampered a response from police and emergency services.
Flames and smoke broke out around the body.
Several people tried unsuccessfully to extinguish the fire with their coats. A video showed the man being doused with...
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