Morton SmithLast Updated: January 4, 2022

In social media posts and videos, Hostetter makes several references to Morton Irvine Smith, a wealthy Orange County resident described by the LA Times as a right-wing “radical” and fixture of the affluent county’s growing extremist movement. Although he’s not listed on any official documentation, Irvine Smith has been identified as a member of American Phoenix Project’s board. On 6 January, Hostetter posted a picture of himself with co-defendant Taylor, but also referred to Irvine Smith in the caption, reassuring viewers that all three were safe and adding, “We did our part.”