A shocking incident unfolded outside the New York courthouse where the historic hush-money trial of former President Donald Trump is taking place. A man, identified as Max Azzarello of St. Augustine, Florida, set himself on fire in full view of television cameras and witnesses. The man, who survived the ordeal but is in critical condition, pulled out pamphlets and threw them in the air before dousing himself with a liquid and igniting the flames. While the pamphlets referenced "evil billionaires," they did not mention Trump specifically. The New York Police Department labeled the man as a conspiracy theorist and stated that he did not appear to be targeting Trump or anyone involved in the trial.

The downtown Manhattan courthouse, heavily guarded by police, drew a throng of protesters and onlookers on the first day of the trial, but crowds have since dwindled. The shocking self-immolation occurred shortly after jury selection was completed, clearing the way for opening statements next week in the case related to hush money paid to a porn star. Emergency crews rushed the man to the hospital in critical condition, and witnesses described the horrifying scene of him being on fire for quite some time.

Images of the man engulfed in flames were broadcast on television and circulated on social media, adding to the already intense atmosphere surrounding the trial. The incident remains under investigation, and it is not yet clear what motivated the man to set himself on fire. This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.