One of the most public faces of the Jan. 6, 2021 protests at the Capitol received a major backer in favor of his release. Billionaire Elon Musk posted on Twitter that Jacob Chansley, who was dubbed the “QAnon Shaman” after the protest, should be released from prison.
Chansley is currently serving a 41-month prison sentence after entering the Capitol during the day’s protests. Chansley was sentenced for obstructing an official proceeding.
Free Jacob Chansley https://t.co/8BbeXF2Fye
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 10, 2023
The so-called QAnon Shaman received considerable media attention, in part because of his unique outfit on the day of the protests. While prosecutors portrayed him in a sharply negative light, the release of security footage from that day may show another side of him.
The video was released by Fox News host Tucker Carlson this week, which showed Chansley being led through the halls of the Capitol on that day.
Musk wrote in part, “Chansley was falsely portrayed in the media as a violent criminal who tried to overthrow the state and who urged others to commit violence.”
“But here he is urging people to be peaceful and go home. And the other video shows him calmly walking in the Capitol building, being escorted by officers and then thanking the officers.”
The Twitter owner has weighed in on a number of major issues since his purchase of the social media platform last year. Musk placed the topic of former President Donald Trump’s Twitter account up for a public vote.
The former president’s account had been suspended since the aftermath of the Jan. 6 protests. The vote supported the reinstatement of the account, which Musk provided. However, to this date, the former president has not used his renewed account.
Furthermore, Musk recently stated that former White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci should be prosecuted after it was revealed that Fauci likely misled the public regarding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Musk wasn’t the only major public figure to call for the freeing of the Jan. 6 prisoners. Former President Trump indicated his support for the release of those involved in the protests.
