Former 'QAnon Shaman' Jacob Chansley to Run for US Congress

Image copyright: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images News via Getty Images (Jan. 6, 2021)

The Facts

  • Jacob Chansley, the man known as the “QAnon Shaman” has filed paperwork to run for Congress as a Libertarian candidate in Arizona's 8th Congressional District.

  • Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., who currently represents the district, announced last month that she will not be seeking re-election in 2025.


The Spin

Republican narrative

After spending nearly 27 months in federal prison, Chansley is no longer the same person he was when he stormed the U.S. Capitol shirtless. He has served his time and expressed remorse for his crimes. He has been rehabilitated and is well within his rights to run for political office. Chansley's image was smeared by the left-leaning mass media and he has turned over a new chapter in his life story.

Democratic narrative

Not only is Chansley "the face" of the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol, he is a felon. Despite serving his time in federal prison, he still participated in a violent riot and used his platform to share hateful and baseless conspiracy theories. The fact that he is even attempting a run for US Congress shows the true dangers of far-right politics in America.


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Political split

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RIGHT

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