What is QAnon? Explaining the bizarre rightwing conspiracy theory

[turbinetree]

The sprawling internet theory, beloved by Trump supporters, has ensnared everyone from Tom Hanks to Hillary Clinton

If you happened to be watching YouTube videos on Monday morning and were struck by an urge to check in on one of America’s most beloved movie stars, you were likely in for a nasty surprise.

“Sarah Ruth Ashcraft says Tom Hanks is a pedophile”, read the title of the top video search result for the actor’s name. “Tom Hanks’ Alleged ‘Sex Slave’ Speaks Out”, read another top search result.

Indeed, the top five results – and eight out of the top 14 – were variations on the pedophilia theme, interspersed with the hashtags #QAnon, #Pizzagate and #Pedogate.

These bizarre results, first spotted by the NBC reporter Ben Collins, are not the result of the latest #MeToo era investigation reporting. Instead, they are the entirely unsubstantiated manifestation of a sprawling rightwing conspiracy theory known as QAnon.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/30/qanon-4chan-rightwing-conspiracy-theory-explained-trump

-snip-

A YouTube spokesperson provided a statement that did not directly address the Guardian’s questions about the Hanks videos, but noted that the company’s work to “better surface and promote news and authoritative sources” is “still in its early stages”.

By Monday afternoon, hours after the Guardian first queried YouTube, the search results for “Tom Hanks” had reverted to videos of the actor’s appearances on various talk shows. Search for “Tom Hanks pedophile”, however, and you’re back in the world of QAnon.,



Hey, "You Tube", ever here of vetting, or maybe hire someone anyone with the credentials to make sure that this QAnon bullshit belongs in the toilet ......................you would think that your name brand is more important than an ad.................and conspiracy sites.................just to post bull shit..................that could get someone hurt, or did you forget the Pizzagate situation, when a asshole walked in the place.....................

[Squinch]

1. Republican fears about nefarious acts by Democrats are invariably

caused by projecting their own behaviors into innocent Dems.

I wonder which of them are involved in the organized republican pedo ring.

[thucythucy]

3. Exactly.

The louder they howl about some "conspiracy," it seems the more likely they are to have indulged themselves.

[2naSalit]

6. Yeah, think children's prisons

and the potential for trafficking, especially since they have been forcing these kids to take psychotropic drugs! WTF!?!?!

[malaise]

10. And this should be the focus

Ignore their shit and do not give them coverage

[thucythucy]

2. Couldn't Tom Hanks sue whoever is responsible

for this crap for libel?

Granted, he's a public figure, but he's not a politician or elected official. And his status as an actor might make the suit even more likely, since this sort of "publicity" is bound to affect his career.

All those propagating this evil nonsense need to see the inside of a court room, and have past, current and all future earnings docked until they qualify for food stamps and Medicaid. Which Trump will of course try to deny them.

Oh, and YouTube needs to be held accountable as well.

[sarcasmo]

4. The new Pizzagate.

[hexola]

5. I've been following the Q digestion at FreeRepublic somewhat

It sort of amazing how far that group has fallen.

"God & Country" has been replaced by the new daily thread mantra "Trust the Plan"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3674854/posts

[2naSalit]

9. Probably hosted by

these pooten pals...

[DetlefK]

7. Have you heard? There is a video of Hillary killing children.

I kid you not. That's what the far-far-right right-wingers on the internet say. There is a video.





It totally exists.

Yeah, it's on the darkweb.

Yeah, I tell you, it totally exists.

Yeah, I have seen it.

No, I can't download it or give you a link. No.

But it's totally real.

And if the public would see it, Hillary would go to jail.

But I can't give you a link.

But it's totally real.

What? No, I can't leak it either! Stop asking stupid questions!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. What it really is: a Soros program that got RW chasing it tail endlessly.

The FReak site is divided by it. But the ones who follow it avidly tend to also be the ones who believe tRump is a master businessman, working hard every day to drain the swamp, and playing 4D chess while everyone else is playing checkers.

[Hoyt]

11. People susceptible to such junk aren't likely to vote Democratic.

[Downtown Hound]

12. And yet it was Rush Limbaugh

Who got caught at an airport with unprescribed Viagra coming home from the Dominican Republic, a country notorious for sex trafficking.

[Initech]

14. And it's republicans who support Trump's insane and inhumane treatment of immigrant children.

In fact they encourage it! But let's not let facts get in the way of misguided outrage here!

[Initech]

13. Basically anyone they don't agree with is a pedophile.

Fuck that shit.