Horror as ‘researcher’, 37, sets himself on fire outside Trump trial in horrific ‘political protest’ after ranting about ‘a revolution’ online [Video]

By Wills Robinson and Bethan Sexton and Kamal Sultan In Manhattan For Dailymail.Com 13:40 EDT 19 Apr 2024, updated 17:10 EDT 19 Apr 2024

Horrifying scenes unfolded outside Donald Trump‘s hush money trial on Friday after a man set himself on fire in an act of extreme political protest.

Maxwell Azzarello, 37, doused himself in an alcohol substance before taking a lighter to his clothes near Manhattan criminal court.

He was seen kneeling with his hands behind his head engulfed in flames as the world’s media and horrified onlookers watched.

NYPD officers rushed to extinguish the flames.  He was taken away in a gurney and remains in the hospital in critical condition.

He was seen throwing pamphlets in the air moments before he set himself ablaze. It remains unclear if the protest was in support of or against the former president, who is currently on trial for hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels.