After realizing that one of the groups of Capitol rioters was staying at his place through Airbnb, Paul tried contacting the company to let them know about this. However, unable to contact them so, he did the next sensible thing. He posted a scathing review for Melissa and her fellow rioter friends on Airbnb telling everyone out there of her actions.
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A furious Airbnb host speaks up regarding unknowing Capitol rioters who he let stay at his place after he was told they were there were in town for a "history sight-seeing trip".
On January 6, Trump supporters attacked the Capitol building in Washington DC. The move was to 'Save America' and was done by his supporters on behalf of former president Donald Trump. The attack left five people dead, including one Capitol police officer.
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After the incident, one of the men from Washington DC speaks to New York Magazine's Intelligencer and shares his regret for opening his doors to a group of protestors. Paul was told that the group was there for a 'history sightseeing trip' Never in his wildest dream Paul thought that he was been lied to as his rowhouse is located roughly one hour from the monuments.
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After the January 6 incident, Paul says that he used exterior security cameras to keep a close eye on Melissa and her group. It was on the morning of January 6 that he noticed the rioters leaving his rowhouse basement with MAGA flags in their hands.
"That’s when I was like, 'Oh f**k, I’ve got a problem,'" he told Intelligencer.
After the chaos at Capitol, Paul continued to watch out through his cameras to wait for the group to return to his property.
In one security camera footage reviewed by Intelligencer, Paul watched as one of his guests paced on the porch and said into their phone: "We stormed the Capitol, we got inside of it."
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The man then reportedly said: "Trump said we’re gonna march over to the Capitol Building [...] And we’re going to tell them what’s been happening.
"To be honest, they deserved it."
After hearing these words, Paul tried getting in touch with Airbnb representatives to let them know that his guests took part in the Capitol riot. However, he couldn't get hold of them.
Paul then did the next sensible thing he could think of. He left a furious review for Melissa and her group. Letting the world know about their actions. He wrote:
"When Melissa booked my Airbnb, she claimed it was for a 'history sight seeing trip' but instead she and her guests made history by participating in the most horrific attack on our democracy at the Capitol building on January 6, 2021."
The review continued: "She and her guests returned after the riot and bragged in front of my house, captured on my Ring doorbell, 'I was there ... I didn’t want to get involved as much as I did but to be honest they deserved it.'
"A Capitol Police officer was murdered and four of the rioters lost their lives. I wouldn’t recommend renting to Melissa."
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Soon Airbnb contacted Paul to tell him that Melissa was attempting to get the review rescinded.
Paul responded: "So I went off on this person saying, 'How the f'k are you gonna let her rescind her review when I have evidence of this person participating in an attack on the Capitol?'"
After sharing the story with the world, Paul then proceeded to share the security footage with the FBI.
Ironically Paul also told that had Melissa and her friend not rioted the Capitol, they would have been five-star guests.
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According to the publication, Airbnb has also released the following statement on the issue: "As we've learned through media or law enforcement sources the names of individuals confirmed to have been responsible for the violent criminal activity at the United States Capitol on January 6, we've investigated whether the named individuals have an account on Airbnb.
"Through this work, we have identified numerous individuals who are either associated with known hate groups or otherwise involved in the criminal activity at the Capitol Building, and they have been banned from Airbnb's platform."