Anti-Trump Florida Man Who Set Deadly L.A. Fire Was Obsessed With Climate Change [WATCH]

A Florida man accused of igniting the massive Palisades Fire that devastated parts of Los Angeles earlier this year had a lengthy history of anti-Trump and climate change posts on social media, where he frequently mocked conservatives and blamed global warming for wildfires, according to reports.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, has been charged with setting the blaze on January 1.

And this, of course… pic.twitter.com/s1QatqhiNr

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) October 10, 2025

Prosecutors allege that he hiked into the hills above Los Angeles and deliberately started a brushfire that smoldered for days before reigniting on January 7.

The fire ultimately destroyed more than 7,000 homes and businesses, killed 12 people, and scorched roughly 24,000 acres across the region, according to the New York Post.

Officials estimate damages at approximately $150 billion.

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Authorities say Rinderknecht not only filmed the initial fire but also called police to report it before later returning to the scene to watch firefighters attempt to contain the flames.

Investigators believe he left California shortly afterward and moved back to Florida, where he was later taken into custody.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Rinderknecht faces multiple felony charges, including arson causing great bodily injury and arson of an inhabited structure.

He is being held without bail pending extradition to California.

Investigators traced several social media accounts belonging to Rinderknecht, where they found a steady stream of political and environmental posts.

On Facebook, he frequently shared memes mocking supporters of President Donald Trump, promoted left-wing political causes, and reposted climate change headlines.

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The man accused of starting the Palisades Fire that devastated parts of Los Angeles, frequently posted on social media about global warming’s role in wildfires.

On Facebook, Jonathan Rinderknecht shared content about environmental collapse, ridiculed… pic.twitter.com/1cBwzOw51x

— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) October 10, 2025

Among the content found on his page were links to a Harris-Biden campaign fundraiser and articles warning about global warming.

One of the shared stories, titled “Climate Change Will Force a New American Migration” from ProPublica, included imagery of wildfires tearing through residential neighborhoods in California.

Other posts featured headlines such as “Senator Kamala Harris Says Meat Is Destroying the Planet” and “Antarctica’s Ice Shelves Have Lost Millions of Metric Tons of Ice.”

Prosecutors say Rinderknecht also used artificial intelligence to create images depicting cities engulfed in flames and crowds running from apocalyptic scenes.

Authorities described the online content as consistent with his apparent obsession with fire and environmental collapse.

“The digital evidence supports the theory that the defendant was motivated by a fixation on climate-related disasters,” a law enforcement source familiar with the case told reporters.

In one of the few photos Rinderknecht shared of himself, he appeared with his face painted like a skull, his mouth open, and blood smeared across his face.

The Palisades Fire was among the most destructive in California’s history, forcing more than 60,000 residents to evacuate from Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Topanga Canyon.

Investigators say the dry conditions and high winds allowed the flames to spread rapidly through dense brush and into residential areas.

Federal and state agencies continue to assess the total damage, which has been described as catastrophic.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said that while the blaze is fully contained, the recovery and rebuilding process could take years.

Rinderknecht’s arraignment is expected later this month in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Prosecutors have not announced whether they will pursue enhanced charges related to the fatalities connected to the fire.