Unraveling QAnon: The American Political Conspiracy Theory and Movement
QAnon, originating in the American far-right political sphere in 2017, is an American political conspiracy theory and movement.
This conspiracy theory revolves around claims made by an anonymous entity known as “Q,” which have been disseminated, expanded, and endorsed by various communities and influencers associated with the movement.
At its core, QAnon propagates the belief that a secretive cabal of Satanic, cannibalistic child molesters operates a global child sex trafficking ring. According to the theory, this cabal conspired against former U.S. President Donald Trump during his tenure in office. The roots of QAnon can be traced back to, an Internet conspiracy theory that emerged a year prior, and it also incorporates elements from other existing theories.
Critics have characterized QAnon as a cult due to its fervent following and the unwavering devotion of its adherents.
Pizzagate’s violent legacy
The gunman who terrorized a D.C. pizzeria is out of prison.
The QAnon conspiracy theories he helped unleash are out of control.
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By Michael E. Miller
February 16, 2021
SALISBURY, N.C. — He slipped out of bed before sunrise and started driving, spurred by the baseless claims he would soon help make famous. As he sped the 350 miles from his hometown in North Carolina
to the nation’s capital, Edgar Maddison Welch tilted his cellphone camera toward himself and pressed record.
“I can’t let you grow up in a world that’s so corrupt by evil,”
he told the two young daughters he had left sleeping back in Salisbury, “without at least standing up for you and for other children just like you.”
So on he drove, to the supposed center of that corruption:
Comet Ping Pong, a popular pizzeria in Northwest Washington where, according to the false
claims known as Pizza gate, powerful Democrats were abusing children. And Welch, a struggling 28-year-old warehouse worker, intended to rescue them.
The Comet neon sign adorns the Comet Ping Pong restaurant in Northwest Washington. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)
Four years later, thousands of people would follow Welch’s fevered path to Washington, drawn from across the country by an ever more toxic stew of disinformation and extremism, including Pizzagate’s successor: QAnon.
This time, instead of a pizzeria, they would target the U.S. Capitol.
The Jan. 6 siege would lead to five deaths, more than 200 arrests and the second impeachment of President Donald Trump.
Its brazenness would shake faith in American democracy.
WASHINGTON POST A JEFF BEZOS MEDIA
