The Conversation (0)
Liam O'Dell
Mar 04, 2021
A man known online as the ‘QAnonShaman’, has since claimed his actions during the Capitol riots “were not an attack on this country” – stating instead that he “stopped somebody from stealing muffins” during the insurrection.
The Shaman, real name Jacob Chansley, also told 60 Minutes reporter Laurie Segall that he “sang a song” while in the Capitol building – something which he said is “a part of shamanism”.
“It’s about creating positive vibrations in a sacred chamber. I also stopped people from stealing and vandalising that sacred space, the Senate, okay?
“I actually stopped somebody from stealing muffins out of the break room.
“I also said a prayer in that sacred chamber, because it was my intention to bring divinity, and to bring God back into the Senate,” he said.
“My actions were not an attack on this country,” says Jacob Chansley, aka “the QAnon Shaman.” For the first time si… https://t.co/i4l2KobBZr— 60 Minutes (@60 Minutes) 1614863177
In response to a question from Segall about whether he still believes he is a patriot, Chansley replied that he considers himself “a lover of my country”.
He continued: “I consider myself a believer in the constitution. I consider myself a believer in truth and our founding principles.
“I consider myself a believer in God.”
The video was later shared to Twitter, where users mocked his defence of the muffins:
@60Minutes @LaurieSegall Thank god those muffins are safe! What would we have done without Qanon shaman there to protect everything?!?— Drew Kaiser 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 (@Drew Kaiser 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈) 1614868121
@60Minutes @travis_view @LaurieSegall He defended the sacred muffins? In that case he deserves a medal.— Carl Tinsley (@Carl Tinsley) 1614867779
@60Minutes @LaurieSegall Jacob has decide to go with “Muffin Man” instead of shaman as he now has a new address on Drury Lane.— Mr. J. Van Olst (@Mr. J. Van Olst) 1614866308
@60Minutes @LaurieSegall Not sure muffin defense will fly...maybe if he changes his name to Muffin Man.— Brian O'Neill (@Brian O'Neill) 1614864306
The Q Shaman says he didn’t break the law in the riot because he “stopped people from stealing muffins from the bre… https://t.co/bjqvhptpRf— Will Sommer (@Will Sommer) 1614867621
Most commenters criticised 60 Minutes for interviewing a supporter of a baseless and unfounded conspiracy theory:
@60Minutes @LaurieSegall The only time we need to hear from an insurrectionist is in court.— Lori Rodriguez (@Lori Rodriguez) 1614867766
@60Minutes @LaurieSegall So, the press is giving this man a powerful and influential platform to spread his beliefs… https://t.co/kD9VeAa0sb— Nini💜BTS⁷ (@Nini💜BTS⁷) 1614864453
@60Minutes @LaurieSegall Why? Just what’s the point of this?— Luke Zaleski (@Luke Zaleski) 1614867761
It isn’t the first time that Chansley has made headlines since his arrest, with a judge ruling in January that the Shaman must be fed “organic food” after he refused to eat food in jail for three days.