QAnons

QAnon is a far-right conspiracy theory that originated in 2017 with anonymous posts on the internet forum 4chan. The theory posits that a cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles, who are also cannibalistic, runs a global child sex-trafficking ring and is plotting against former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is secretly fighting this cabal. Followers of QAnon believe that "Q," a purported high-level government insider, is leaking classified information about these activities.

The QAnon narrative is characterized by its sprawling and ever-evolving nature, often incorporating current events into its framework. It has been linked to various real-world events and political movements, including protests and acts of violence. The theory has spread across multiple social media platforms, making it difficult for these platforms to moderate and remove content associated with it.

Numerous fact-checking organizations and governmental agencies, including the FBI, have identified QAnon as a domestic terrorism threat. Critics and researchers describe the movement as a cult that exploits vulnerable individuals, promotes disinformation, and can lead to radicalization. The lack of concrete evidence and the reliance on speculative interpretations of cryptic messages are hallmarks of the QAnon belief system.