The 26-year-old political commentator grabbed attention after videos captured him leading mourners in chants of “Down with the USA” during the funeral procession of Iran’s late Supreme Leader
Millions of mourners from across the globe gathered in Iran to pay their last respects to the country’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As the bustling streets of Tehran filled with mourners chanting against the US and Israel, one man stood out—Jackson Hinkle, an American political commentator and social media influencer.
Videos circulated by Iranian state media showed Hinkle, 26, standing on stage carrying a red flag and leading chants that were echoed by the mourners. The footage quickly went viral, sparking scrutiny and debate across social media platforms.
Who Is Jackson Hinkle?
Based in San Clemente, California, Jackson Hinkle is known as the endorser of what he describes as “MAGA communism”—an ideology that blends communist rhetoric with the populism of President Donald Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement.
Hinkle rose to prominence as a progressive activist and later shifted towards positions that strongly support Russia, Iran, and other governments against US foreign policy. He has developed a massive online base across various social media platforms including X, YouTube, and Rumble. Hinkle has also appeared on Russian and Chinese state media outlets, consistently slamming US and Israeli foreign policies through his social media handles.
Controversy and Scrutiny
After videos of Hinkle came to light, several US commentators and Trump allies demanded an investigation into how Americans were able to attend the funeral ceremony in Iran. They also questioned how Hinkle was allowed to carry a US passport while actively participating in anti-American chants.
Ali Khamenei’s Funeral
The six-day funeral ceremony for Ali Khamenei, 86, began on July 4 in Tehran. A procession carrying the mortal remains of Khamenei and many of his family members then proceeded to Qom, Najaf, and Karbala. The late leader was laid to rest next to the shrine of Imam Reza in the holy city of Mashhad. According to officials, around 12 million people attended the funeral procession across Iran and Iraq.
