Man who set self on fire outside Trump trial ID’d as Max Azzarello, a self-described ‘investigative researcher’

The man who lit himself on fire outside Manhattan court during former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial Friday has been identified by police as Max Azzarello, a Florida man who describes himself online as an “investigative researcher.”

Azzarello, of St. Augustine, arrived in New York from the Sunshine State last week, and his family had been unaware he had traveled out of state, police said.

Moments before he doused himself in gasoline and set himself ablaze, Azzarello tossed a stack of pamphlets into the air, which included links to a Substack newsletter apparently authored by the self-immolator called “The Ponzi Papers.”

At the top of the site is an article with the headline “I have set myself on fire outside of the trump Trial,” followed by a rambling manifesto riddled with conspiracy theories on everything from cryptocurrency and Hollywood actors to COVID and former President Bill Clinton.

This is a developing story. Please continue to check back for updates.