“QAnon Shaman” Jacob Chansley doesn’t appear to be so contrite these days, now that he has been freed from his jail cell.
Calling himself the American Shaman now, even though he was eager to distance himself from the “shaman” moniker altogether during his trial, Chansley appears to be running for Congress in Arizona. The career move comes after he was released early from a 41-month sentence for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021. His release came after former Fox News host Tucker Carlson aired footage of Chansley being escorted through the hallways of the U.S. Capitol by police.
Still rocking a horned fur hat, Chansley not only turned out for Turning Point USA’s annual AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Arizona, he confronted U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) for not only ignoring him but for allegedly “stealing” his campaign platform.
“Coward! Freaking coward,” Chansley calls out in the video below, as Gaetz appears to avoid him. “These are the people representing Americans who can’t even speak to Americans? He was saying my name all over Spaces.”
So @RepMattGaetz doesn’t care AT ALL about J6ers!
WATCH AS HE IGNORES ME TWICE when I ask for a pic & a chance to talk!
He THEN went on stage & talked about the plight of J6ers, RIGHT AFTER HE INTENTIONALLY IGNORED ME & my request to speak & get a photo!
videos in this pic.twitter.com/wSu2FkifGo— Jake Angeli-Chansley (@AmericaShaman) December 18, 2023
“These are big names who claim that they’re for the little guy getting screwed by the big machine, but he will not talk to me,” he added.
In another clip, he accuses the firebrand Florida Republican of stealing his campaign platform in proposing an anti-corruption plan:
THIS IS WHERE I CALL OUT @RepMattGaetz for stealing MY CAMPAIGN PLATFORM after my Newsmax interview on Nov. 13th shortly thereafter HE proposed “his Anti-Corruption Plan” THAT 3 of the main ideas in MY CAMPAIGN PLATFORM!
I THINK HE KNEW I was gonna ask him about it! COWARDICE!!! pic.twitter.com/UAfDJQOuCz— Jake Angeli-Chansley (@AmericaShaman) December 18, 2023
In yet another tweet that suggests Chansley may be stalking the GOP lawmaker at the event, he levels both charges:
Watch @RepMattGaetz INTENTIONALLY IGNORE ME & WALK THE OTHER WAY WHEN HE SEES ME asking for a momentof his time!
Either he is AFRAID I’m gonna call him out for stealing my campaign platform OR HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF J6ers!!!
Neither looks good for @RepMattGaetz pic.twitter.com/mgxhfoBbln— Jake Angeli-Chansley (@AmericaShaman) December 18, 2023
Gaetz’s office provided Newsweek with a statement from the congressman explaining that Chansley is running against Republicans in Arizona — he is running as a Libertarian — and he wanted to avoid the appearance of supporting him.
“Sometimes people running for office seek a photo with me to use in their campaigns,” Gaetz wrote. “Mr. Chansley is running for Congress against Republicans and does not have my support. I didn’t want to confuse my supporters in that district.”
While some on social media were quick to use the story to dump on Gaetz, others felt like Chansley was his own worst enemy here.
Here’s a sampling of some of the responses, as seen on X:
With all due respect, Jake, if you weren’t wearing the hat and were dressed differently, he probably would have taken the time to talk with you and your audience. Most likely, he and his staff don’t have the time to add potential drama to what they already have on the plate.
— Bluer Popcorn 8 (@Bluer_Popcorn) December 18, 2023
Jake, I am a spaces host and have avoided you due to all the crazy antics. I would like to speak to you about this and your journey using Shamen medicines. I am the guy in the space that told you to stop stealing the medicine from my people. I am actually very curious of how you…
— Eugene (@Democracy1stE) December 18, 2023
Well Jack, I appreciate your voice, but sometimes, if you’re going to try and talk to a congressional member, it would be better not to dress as you are. Had you looked a little different, he probably would have. Not here to get you mad, but you have to look at things from where…
— Smurf ❌ (@Smurf4555) December 18, 2023
Gaetz knows a photo with you would be used against him by political opponents.
— Ed Haas (@EfhaasC) December 18, 2023
TBH, this look is hurting you at this point.
You probably should have dressed and acted more professionally.
— EQmom 2.0 (@patriottmom2one) December 18, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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