How QAnon’s Legacy Continues to Haunt US Politics 10 Years Later

The specter of QAnon continues to haunt the corridors of American power, a decade after its inception on the online forum 4chan. What began as a far-right conspiracy theory about a shadowy cabal of satanic pedophiles has evolved into a political vocabulary that seeps into the highest echelons of government.

The rise of QAnon is a fascinating case study in how fringe ideas can permeate mainstream politics. Its influence can be seen in the many Trump appointees who have brought conspiracy theories into the heart of government, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has advocated anti-vaccination conspiracy theories shared by QAnon.

The Afterlife of a Conspiracy Theory

Philosophers refer to this phenomenon as “hauntology,” where political ideas and movements may die, but their legacy continues to shape our present. QAnon’s afterlife is characterized by its transformation from a fringe theory to a language that has been co-opted by mainstream politics.

The White House’s official X account posted a photo with the phrase “Patriots are in Control,” a clear reference to QAnon language first used by Q in 2017. The Department of Labor echoed this phrase, and Elon Musk celebrated America’s 250th birthday with an AI-generated video that referenced QAnon.

War, Propaganda, and the Normalization of Conspiracy

During the US war with Iran, some government officials have turned to QAnon for inspiration. The Pentagon’s chief technology officer, Emil Michael, has posted propaganda using Q catchphrases as military slogans. This raises concerns about how official uses of Q language can invigorate conspiracy theorists and undermine public health, governance, and civil society.

Government agencies’ use of Q phrases during wartime has excited online conspiracy theorists, who see it as an official endorsement that “the storm” will soon be upon us – a time of upheaval and punishment of the shadowy deep state. For these believers, Trump and Q will bring about this golden age.

A Legacy of Division

The normalization of QAnon’s language in mainstream politics has profound implications for American society. At a time of social and economic crisis, we can expect more eruptions of QAnon conspiracy theories into the public sphere, further dividing Americans who already struggle to find common ground.

As QAnon’s influence spreads, its legacy will haunt American politics for years to come. Whether or not we choose to confront this reality is a decision that will shape the course of our democracy. The real question is: what does this mean for our democracy? How can we address the normalization of conspiracy theories in mainstream politics?

We must remain vigilant in holding our leaders accountable and pushing back against the normalization of conspiracy theories. Anything less would be a betrayal of the very principles that our democracy was founded upon.