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Let’s take a trip down memory lane to the events of January 6th and one of the most notorious rioters. Unless you’ve been hiding away all winter or have tried to forget the shocking sight of armed individuals breaching the heart of American democracy, you likely remember the fur-clad, Viking-horned figure who appeared to have stepped straight out of a festival. His face was painted, he was covered in tattoos, and he had a wild look in his eyes. The media labeled him “Q-Anon Shaman,” a term that, while disrespectful to shamans everywhere, accurately captured his association with the Q-Anon movement. He was not alone; many (or rather, most) of the rioters shared beliefs rooted in a convoluted narrative propagated by an anonymous online figure known as “Q.” This narrative includes bizarre claims of a cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles (yes, even Oprah) who are involved in child trafficking and drink the blood of children in search of eternal youth. They also subscribe to the idea that the election was rigged and view Donald Trump as a messianic figure.
A survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute and the Interfaith Youth Core revealed that 15% of Americans align with Q-Anon’s core beliefs. This number is staggering—equivalent to the total population of white evangelical Protestants or white mainline Protestants, translating to approximately 30 million citizens in the U.S. The poll indicated that these individuals believe that “the government, media, and financial sectors in the U.S. are controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a global sex trafficking operation.” Among Republicans, this figure rises to 23%.
Moreover, 20% of Americans think that “a storm is coming soon that will eliminate the elites in power and restore the rightful leaders,” with 28% of Republicans subscribing to this belief. Alarmingly, 15% of the population believes that “due to the current state of affairs, true patriots may need to resort to violence to save our nation.” This indicates a significant number of people who are contemplating real acts of violence—and they could be your neighbors.
So, what exactly do Q-Anon followers believe?
The conspiracy theory, described as a “bizarre rightwing narrative” by The Guardian, originated from the chaotic online platform 4chan in 2017. An anonymous figure known as “Q” claimed to possess insider knowledge about a vast conspiracy involving Robert Mueller and a pizzeria connected to child sex trafficking. This theory is pro-Trump and anti-establishment, but it morphs to suit the desires of its believers.
Celebrities like Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, as well as political figures such as the Obamas and Clintons, are accused of participating in these heinous acts. The narrative even extends to events like the Parkland shooting, which Q-Anon claims was staged with “crisis actors.” They’ve even accused Wayfair, an online furniture retailer, of using their products to traffic children.
Cristina Lopez, a researcher at Media Matters for America, notes that this conspiracy theory predominantly targets the Democratic establishment. According to the LA Times, Q-Anon followers employ numerology, Illuminati symbols, and various other eccentric methods to interpret Q’s cryptic messages, often arriving at conclusions that suit their beliefs. They believe Trump leaves hints in his speeches, which followers eagerly decode.
A troubling 40% of Q-Anon believers assert that “the Covid-19 vaccine contains a microchip for surveillance and is the mark of the beast.” It’s worth noting that individuals like Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene were previously aligned with Q-Anon’s ideas before distancing themselves post-election, while Trump has not outright rejected the movement.
This isn’t the first time society has experienced such paranoia; historical instances like the Satanic Panic of the 1980s serve as cautionary tales. During that time, many unfounded accusations of ritual abuse circulated, culminating in trials like the McMartin Preschool case, which ended with the acquittal of the accused after extensive investigation revealed no evidence of wrongdoing.
Q-Anon echoes similar themes with its narrative of Hollywood elites and secret cabals, but unlike previous moral panics, advocates for an armed revolution. The FBI classified Q-Anon as a domestic terrorism threat in 2019—before the Capitol riots underscored the potential danger. This movement believes the election was a “big lie,” Joe Biden is not the legitimate president, and that a cataclysmic event is on the horizon to restore their perceived rightful leaders. They are armed, they pose a significant threat, and they comprise 15% of the population. If the events of January 6th didn’t convince you, these statistics certainly should.
Conclusion
The rise of Q-Anon highlights a deeply troubling aspect of contemporary American society, where a significant portion of the population is willing to believe in dangerous conspiracy theories that advocate for violence and unrest.