Who Is Jackson Hinkle? US Influencer Captured Leading 'Down With The USA' Chants At Khamenei's Funeral

Last Updated:July 09, 2026, 15:01 IST

As the bustling streets of Tehran filled with mourners chanting against the US and Israel, one man stood out, grabbing eyeballs for different reasons

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, who was killed on the opening day of the coordinated US-Israeli strikes in February.

As the bustling streets of Tehran filled with mourners chanting against the US and Israel, one man stood out, grabbing eyeballs for different reasons. That was Jackson Hinkle, who came under the scanner after videos captured him leading chants of “Down with the USA" and “Down with Zionism" during the funeral procession of Ali Khamenei, according to Al Jazeera. 

The videos, circulated by Iranian state media, showed Hinkle standing on stage. Carrying a red flag, he was seen leading chants that were echoed by the mourners.

US Iran War Live

Who Is Jackson Hinkle?

Jackson Hinkle, 26, is an American political commentator and social media influencer. Based in San Clemente, California, he is known as the endorser of what he describes as “MAGA communism" –– an ideology that blends communist rhetoric and 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 the US foreign policy, The Times reported.

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 and slammed US and Israeli foreign policies through his social media handles.

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.

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 will be laid to rest today next to the shrine of Imam Reza in the holy city of Mashhad that was also his hometown. According to officials, around 12 million people have attended the funeral procession across Iran and Iraq.

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