Jacob Chansley, the man infamously known as the "QAnon Shaman" for his horned headdress during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, is publicly detailing his dramatic break from former President Donald Trump. The convicted rioter, who was pardoned by Trump, now cites the former president's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and support for Israel as key reasons for his disillusionment.
From Capitol Invader to Trump Critic
In a recent interview with CNN's Donie O'Sullivan, Chansley was unequivocal about his changed stance. He stated that Trump's refusal to release the client list associated with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was a decisive moment for him and many others. "The man, alone, refusing to release the Epstein client list was enough for me, and I think a lot of other people, to be like, 'OK, this is bullshit,'" Chansley told O'Sullivan.
Chansley's journey has been marked by legal consequences and personal evolution. He pleaded guilty to felony obstruction of an official proceeding for his role on January 6, where he carried a spear into the Capitol and occupied the Senate seat of then-Vice President Mike Pence. He served 27 months in prison before an early release in 2023 and has since disavowed the QAnon conspiracy movement.
Political Ambitions and Harsh Condemnations
Despite his criminal past, Chansley is now eyeing a political future. In an interview with The Times of London, he revealed plans to run for governor of Arizona as an independent in the upcoming election. While the viability of such a bid remains unclear—a previous attempt to run for Congress in 2024 failed due to lack of signatures—his intentions signal a new chapter.
Chansley clarified that his motivation is not traditional politics. He told The Times he is "interested in saving my country, humanity & the planet from extinction," arguing that new leadership is desperately needed. His criticism of Trump has grown increasingly severe. Last year, he expressed disgust over the administration's support for Israel in the Gaza war, calling Trump a "fraud" in a since-deleted social media post.
He has also condemned Trump's recent foreign policy actions, labeling the administration "a corrupt disaster" and accusing the president of using the military to commit "the armed robbery of a nation" in reference to an attack on Venezuela. "It is the antithesis of everything that America needs right now," Chansley said of Trump's actions in his second term.
No Regrets, But a Changed Path
Interestingly, Chansley expresses no regret for his actions on January 6, even after his prison sentence. "Even though I had prison and all that stuff, no regrets. I don't live with regret," he stated in the video interview. He explained that his initial support for Trump was rooted in the former president's claims of wanting to end child and human trafficking.
Chansley's story represents a notable fracture within the fringe movements that bolstered Trump's base. As one of approximately 1,500 people charged with January 6-related crimes to receive a Trump pardon last year, his public turn against the former president highlights shifting allegiances and the complex aftermath of the Capitol insurrection five years on.
