The convoluted mythology could influence the midterm elections this year, with dozens of candidates for national office expressing at least some support of QAnon. QAnon adherents, including one known as the QAnon Shaman, have been connected to violent crimes and to last year’s Capitol riot. Forensic linguists have also tried to unmask and defang the anonymous author who signed online messages as Q. But it has persisted despite that and despite efforts by tech platforms to staunch its spread. Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, QAnon was expected to be hobbled without him. The conspiracy theory was amplified and spread on social media.Īfter Mr. Trump also figured in the conspiracy theory as someone who was recruited by top military officials to use his presidency against the shadowy liberal cabal. considers to be a potential terrorist threat, centers on an anonymous author whose online messages, signed Q, fueled the spread of the reality-warping ideology. The survey covered more than 19,000 respondents and was conducted across the country throughout 2021. At the same time, the percentage of people who rejected QAnon falsehoods shrank to 34 percent in October from 40 percent in March. In October 2021, 17 percent of Americans believed in the conspiracy theory, up from 14 percent in March, the survey said.
