Max Azzarello dead after setting himself on fire outside Trump trial in horror protest

Max Azzarello has died after setting himself on fire. (Image: Facebook)

The man who set himself on fire outside Donald Trump's hush money trial has reportedly died.

Max Azzarello, 37, lost his life after being severely burnt by lighting himself up using an "alcohol-based substance used for cleaning" near the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse in New York on Friday.

The Florida man threw pamphlets in the air before pouring the fuel on his body and setting himself on fire in front of horrified witnesses at Collect Pond Park.

After cops swooped in, the protestor was taken to a nearby hospital's burn unit in critical condition, but sources told New York Post he died shortly before 11pm.

Azzarello made a chilling last post on social media prior to the alarming incident, writing the words "I love you" several times on Instagram.

READ MORE: Max Azzarello's final social media post before igniting himself outside Trump trial

Azzarello had been protesting in New York (Image: Getty)

He posted a manifesto before lighting himself on fire on Friday, which was simply titled: "I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial."

A link to the letter, which was posted on his Substack, appeared on the sign he held as he disturbingly lit himself on fire.

"My name is Max Azzarello, and I am an investigative researcher who has set himself on fire outside of the Trump trial in Manhattan," he wrote.

"This extreme act of protest is to draw attention to an urgent and important discovery: We are victims of a totalitarian con, and our own government (along with many of their allies) is about to hit us with an apocalyptic fascist world coup.

"To my friends and family, witnesses and first responders, I deeply apologize for inflicting this pain upon you."

The site outside the court where he was set on fire (Image: Getty)

A CNN anchor covered the apparent self-immolation in real time, stating that she smelled burning flesh from a park across the street.

"It was completely out of the blue," witness Kennedy Mack told the cable news channel.

"He took out a match or lighter and set himself completely on fire. He kneeled down as if he was praising somebody. He didn’t say anything."

On Friday, the authorities said they were reviewing the security protocols outside the courthouse.

Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said: "We are very concerned. Of course, we are going to review our security protocols."

The incident came as Judge Juan Merchan in Trump's hush money case adjourned the court for lunch.

Police said it is unclear if Azzarello's act of protest was related to Trump's trial, but an investigation is ongoing.

Trump's trial will take place in the Manhattan courtroom for the next few weeks, forcing him to juggle his roles as criminal defendant and presidential candidate.

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