All For A LARP: QAnon Celebrates the Release of the Mueller Report

All For A LARP: QAnon Celebrates the Release of the Mueller Report

QAnon followers often claim that they value “research.” But their method of interpreting current events is really more akin to improv. Their theories are not built by referencing credible, independently verifiable sources, but rather by taking Q drops or existing speculation and building upon it with even more speculation.

People who have taken an improv class may recognize that this adheres to the classic improvisation rule of thumb: “Yes, and.” Improvisors are advised to never reject or negate ideas from fellow performers. But rather, they should accept ideas, no matter how odd or wacky, and build upon them. That’s a good way to build an entertaining scene on the fly. But it’s a terrible way to actually understand what’s happening in the world.

But this kind of conspiracy theory improv does serve one important purpose: it allows Q followers to persist in their belief even in the face of direct disconfirmation.  Which explains why QAnon will persist even after the release of the redacted Mueller report.

QAnon Celebrates The Release Of The Mueller Report

One might suspect that the QAnon community would be troubled by the Mueller report’s findings. It contradicts many already-debunked conspiracy theories that Q and large segments of the QAnon community promoted.

For example, Q references Seth Rich in over a dozen Q drops. These posts allude to the false conspiracy theory that murdered DNC staffer Seth Rich was the source of the DNC emails that were published by Wikileaks, when in fact the emails were obtained by Russian hackers, according to Mueller indictments.

The Mueller report contradicts the already-debunked Seth Rich conspiracy theory directly. In reference to statements made by Julian Assange and Wikileaks, the report says, “The statements about Rich implied falsely that he had been the source of the stolen DNC emails.”

Seth Rich’s brother, Aaron Rich, released a statement after the release of the Mueller report lambasting people who spread the Seth Rich hoax.

The Mueller Report also contradicted the QAnon belief that Trump was only pretending to hate Jeff Sessions. Several Q drops implored QAnon to “Trust sessions.” They rationalized away insults that Trump directed at Sessions as mere Kayfaybe.

However, after Trump learned about the special counsel, the report states that Trump told Sessions, “How could you let this happen, Jeff?” The report also states that Trump told Sessions something akin to “you were supposed to protect me.”

Some especially deranged corners of QAnon even held to the absurd and incoherent theory that Mueller was secretly investigating Hillary Clinton and other Democrats.

The Mueller report’s contradictions of QAnon narratives even caused forceful QAnon critic Sebastion Gorka to declare “As of this morning: Q and QAnon are dead.”

But rather than considering the Mueller report a bust for QAnon, many in the community believe it’s merely a stepping stone. After the Mueller report’s release, they imagine declassified FISA documents that authorized the surveillance of Carter Page will reveal serious malfeasance from the FBI. After that, a DOJ Inspector General report will reveal even more wrongdoing. And this will be followed by “Truth” and “Justice.” The specific events they imagine will unfold are unclear, but they undoubtedly imagine it’s somehow related to the long-promised mass arrests and military tribunals of “deep state” enemies.

This is a continuation of the attitude that has kept QAnon followers going after a year and half of no results: the conviction that the true reveal is always somewhere around the next corner. They’re always convinced that some document, some testimony, or some investigation will finally blow the lid off of everything, and their theories will finally be validated. Of course, that elusive vindication is eternally in the near future in QAnon world.

The biggest issue many within the QAnon community had with the report is the claim that Trump exclaimed “Oh my God this terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I’m fucked.” Many assumed that this account had to be false, or that Trump was being sarcastic.

The QAnon community can shake off logical incoherence fairly easily. In fact, they’re experienced at it. However, they recoil at the idea that Trump expressed weakness. The idea that trouble would feel despairing or express weakness cuts to a core QAnon conviction: that Trump is perfectly in control, there is a grand “plan” to restore the country, and it isn’t possible for Trump to do anything besides succeed.

QAnon Accounts Spread Disinformation About The Notre Dame Fire

The best time to spread conspiracy theories is during a dramatic crisis. The many unknowns in reporting allow conspiratorial people to fill in the gaps with their own ideas. QAnon followers exploited the April 15th Notre Dame fire to the best of their ability, pushing several absurd conspiracy theories as accurate information about the incident trickled in.

 

QAnon Follower Runs For Congress In Florida

Matthew Lusk, a Florida bookseller, launched his House campaign for Florida’s 5th congressional district last month. He is the first QAnon follower to run for federal office. In an interview for Floridapolitics.com, the longshot candidate says “I belong to no secret societies or clubs, Q is one of my issues because it’s definitely a leak from high places. I follow Q, but I don’t know who or what Q is.”

Lusk is an unconventional Republican candidate for many reasons. On his website, he advocates for the elimination of alimony, the federal decriminalization of cocaine, and reparations for people who are negatively affected by the legacy of slavery in the U.S. Lusk is running unopposed for the Republican primary, but will have to overcome a steep road to defeat the Democratic incumbent Congressman Al Lawson.

Lusk’s interview with Floridapolitics.com is filled with quotes that show that he is bringing a unique style of rhetoric and politics to his race:

“I can’t imagine the globalist deep-state not putting up a challenger in the primary, I can’t wait to grind them into sawdust. The primary will be a bigger swordfight but I don’t see a problem overcoming either.”

“I’m a Dapper Dan Man, I don’t like Palm-Ade, and I’m NOT going to ride a bicycle to a motorcycle race. I consider Libertarians and Reformers to be conservative.”

“You’ll see I have knowledge, once I flesh out Lusk2020.com. One reason why the devil hates Christians so much is because true believers have guts. The only thing to fear is God. One really has to risk their earthly life to make a change in today’s political sphere.”

“Some of my issues have gotten people ‘Arkancided,’ so just for the record: I’m not suicidal or accident prone.”

Interestingly, Florida has always been a hotspot for QAnon activity. Q broke into mainstream awareness partly due to a Trump rally in Tampa, Florida.

 

Travis View

Related articles

GOP Rep Pushes QAnon Theory That British Agents Conspired with Democrats in Coup Attempt Against Trump

GOP Rep Pushes QAnon Theory That British Agents Conspired with Democrats in Coup Attempt Against Trump

State Department Official Is Also a White Nationalist with Deep Ties to Racist Right

State Department Official Is Also a White Nationalist with Deep Ties to Racist Right

All For A LARP: Hollywood QAnon Promoter Dies After Throwing Himself Off Bridge

All For A LARP: Hollywood QAnon Promoter Dies After Throwing Himself Off Bridge

All For A LARP: QAnon Causes Charter School to Cancel Fundraiser

All For A LARP: QAnon Causes Charter School to Cancel Fundraiser

All For A LARP: QAnon Goes To War With Pro-Trump PAC

All For A LARP: QAnon Goes To War With Pro-Trump PAC

After Mike Pence Promotes ‘Unplanned’ On Twitter, Anti-Abortion Film Tweets Out QAnon Slogan

After Mike Pence Promotes ‘Unplanned’ On Twitter, Anti-Abortion Film Tweets Out QAnon Slogan

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *