One of the most popular things on the internet are conspiracy theories. For every known thing on earth and beyond there is any number of conspiracy theories on the internet, contradicting it with wild and absurd claims, be it the moon landing, Area 51, flat earth, 9/11, new world order, etc.
One such conspiracy theory that gained a lot of traction in recent years in the US is called QAnon.
According to the QAnon belief, a cabal of Satan-worshipping cannibalistic pedophiles is running a global child sex-trafficking ring and plotting against former US President Donald Trump.
QAnon believers were convinced that Trump will win the battle against the evil forces and many prominent people will be arrested and executed for their acts.
The conspiracy theory which originated in some remote corners of the far-right internet has since traveled to much far and many QAnon supporters were seen among the rioters who attacked Capitol Hill on January 6, in a desperate attempt to stop the certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory.
But that did not happen and to the utter disbelief of QAnons, Trump is no longer in power and the people who they were told were part of the cabal are at the helm of affairs.
This is having a devastating effect on the QAnon believers.
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In one Telegram channel with more than 18,400 members, QAnon believers were split between those still urging others to ¡®trust the plan¡¯ and those saying they felt betrayed. ¡°It¡¯s obvious now we¡¯ve been had. No plan, no Q, nothing,¡± wrote one user.
Some messages referenced theories that a coup was going to take place before the end of Inauguration Day. Others moved the goalposts again, speculating that Trump would be sworn into office on Mar. 4.
¡°Does anybody have any idea what we should be waiting for next or what the next move could be?¡± asked another user, who said they wanted to have a ¡®big win¡¯ and arrests made.
A poll with more than 36,000 votes conducted in another QAnon Telegram channel before Biden¡¯s swearing-in ceremony showed that more than 20% of respondents predicted nothing would in fact happen and Biden would become president, according to the Q Origins Project, which tracks the movement.
However, 34% believe ¡°the military & Trump have a plan coming in the near future,¡± even while acknowledging the transfer of presidential power.
But many have given up including, Ron Watkins, who many believe is one of the founders/ founder of the movement and is known as ¡°Q¡±.
On Wednesday, Watkins appeared to admit defeat, posting: ¡°We have a new president sworn in and it is our responsibility as citizens to respect the Constitution regardless of whether or not we agree with the specifics.¡±
¡°Please remember all the friends and happy memories we made together over the past few years.¡± He said he was working on a new venture, but gave no further details.