'QAnon Shaman' Jake Angeli says he's a new man – and he's got merch to sell you
Last week, Jake Angeli emerged from federal custody a new man.
No, really.
Within hours of his release from a halfway house, the painted, behorned face of the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection was hawking all manner of merchandise and rebranding himself.
The QAnon Shaman is now “America’s Shaman,” ready, willing and apparently — given the number of rubes about — well able to cash in on his celebrity.
QAnon Shaman reemerges without his horns
In a video posted to Twitter, Angeli dumps his Viking look for a flag-themed bandana and tie.
His heavily tattooed bare chest is covered with a bright white sports coat as he waxes on about his prison experience, sounding suspiciously like a late-night infomercial.
“One of the most important lessons I learned is patience,” he says in his video.
“See, the world is currently going through turmoil, the likes of which many of us are not prepared for by our schools, by our governments and our cultural upbringing. However, patience is key if we are to overcome the obstacles before us and simultaneously turn them into opportunities for unity, love and peace.”
Not to mention opportunities to make some cash, courtesy of his new website.
Jake Angeli is hawking the 'Shaman Life'
Mouse pads, T-shirts for both adults and children, iPhone cases emblazoned with that iconic image of his behorned howl during from the Jan. 6 insurrection.
You name it, he’s got it for sale.
“Freedom!!!” yoga pants — with an American flag on the right leg and an image of the howling Angeli on the left — sell for $44.
A “Shaman Life-Shaman Prayer” water bottle can be yours for $25.
“America’s Shaman” flag – a U.S. flag with his picture emblazoned across it — is a steal at $44.
“Festivals, parties, or birthdays — you name it,” his website hawks. “Bring spirit to every place and event you have in mind with this knitted polyester flag that’s made to last.”
A different story when he stormed the Capitol
Angeli, charged under his legal name, Jacob Chansley, pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding, a federal felony.
He was one of the first Trump supporters to enter the Capitol, wherein he proceeded to scale the Senate dais and claim the seat Vice President Mike Pence had fled just an hour earlier.
Before the US Capitol: Angeli rushed the Arizona Capitol
“Is there any chance I can get you guys to leave the Senate wing?” a police officer in the room asked, as Angeli posed for pictures. “I just want to let you guys know this is like the sacredest place.”
“I’m gonna take a sit in this chair because Mike Pence is a f------ traitor,” Angeli replied.
He then left a note for the vice president: “It’s Only A Matter of Time. Justice Is Coming!”
You can hire him to speak at your event
Now he’s making the rounds of right-wing media to hawk his merch and attending a welcome-home ceremony in Scottsdale.
As he says in his five-minute informercial video, “In the spirit of Christ’s example, I would like to use this official statement to make it extremely clear that I have no animosity or hatred toward the United States federal government and I have forgiven my captors and I pray for them because that is what Christ would do.”
Oh, and did I mention that you can hire him to speak at your event?
You can also book a personal one-on-one consultation for the low, low price of $500. (A $50 deposit is required, credit cards accepted).
Only in America.
Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'QAnon Shaman' Jake Angeli is a changed man with merch to sell
