08-02-2018, 07:53 PM
QAnon
![[Image: gettyimages-1008693730_wide-3e73c989a767...00-c85.jpg]](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2018/08/01/gettyimages-1008693730_wide-3e73c989a767cf5f5bd0f993147a52318ba53692-s800-c85.jpg)
Hoping this growing collection of screwball conspiracy theorists doesn't go the way of some of the others who incite violence.
Journalists at Trump's rally in Florida this week noted multiple attendees carrying signs and wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the name "QAnon." The shirts and signs are references to a conspiracy theory growing increasingly popular among those on the far-right.
So, what is QAnon? The conspiracy theory centers on a mysterious and anonymous online figure — "Q." According to The Daily Beast, "Q" began posting on anonymous Internet message boards in October 2017. The person or persons behind the "Q" persona claim to possess a top-level security clearance and evidence of a worldwide criminal conspiracy.
QAnon followers insist that special counsel Robert Mueller isn't actually investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Rather, they believe that Mueller was appointed by Trump to investigate Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and other top Democrats, like former Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. According to posts written by "Q" — dubbed "breadcrumbs" by the theory's followers — even Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is a target of Mueller's so-called investigation.
These conspiracy theorists believe that Clinton and Obama are in cahoots with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They also suggest that Trump's political foes, along with Hollywood figures and other world leaders, are participants in a global pedophile ring.
(continued)
Hoping this growing collection of screwball conspiracy theorists doesn't go the way of some of the others who incite violence.
Journalists at Trump's rally in Florida this week noted multiple attendees carrying signs and wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the name "QAnon." The shirts and signs are references to a conspiracy theory growing increasingly popular among those on the far-right.
So, what is QAnon? The conspiracy theory centers on a mysterious and anonymous online figure — "Q." According to The Daily Beast, "Q" began posting on anonymous Internet message boards in October 2017. The person or persons behind the "Q" persona claim to possess a top-level security clearance and evidence of a worldwide criminal conspiracy.
QAnon followers insist that special counsel Robert Mueller isn't actually investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Rather, they believe that Mueller was appointed by Trump to investigate Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and other top Democrats, like former Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. According to posts written by "Q" — dubbed "breadcrumbs" by the theory's followers — even Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is a target of Mueller's so-called investigation.
These conspiracy theorists believe that Clinton and Obama are in cahoots with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They also suggest that Trump's political foes, along with Hollywood figures and other world leaders, are participants in a global pedophile ring.
(continued)