During the hush money trial involving former President Donald Trump at Manhattan Criminal Court, a 37-year-old man from St. Augustine, Florida, set himself on fire outside the courthouse.

The incident occurred just after 1:30 p.m. while the jury selection was finalized. Disturbing footage captured the man, identified as Max Azzarello, engulfed in flames in a nearby park.

Witnesses reported seeing him pour gasoline over himself before igniting the fire.

Moments before the self-immolation, he scattered pamphlets in the air, linking to a Substack page where he claimed the act was a protest against a “totalitarian con” and impending “apocalyptic fascist world coup,” the New York Post reported.

Azzarello, who identified as an investigative researcher, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, while those who helped extinguish the flames sustained minor injuries.

The incident drew attention to Azzarello’s past lawsuit filed against numerous defendants, which was dismissed last October.

Written by B.C. Begley