QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory that falsely claims that former President Trump was fighting against a global cabal of Satanic baby-eating traffickers, has experienced a resurgence on X, formerly known as Twitter, since Elon Musk acquired the company. According to a study by Newsguard, QAnon-related slogans and hashtags have increased by a staggering 1,283 percent on X under Musk’s ownership.
From May 2023 to May 2024, there were 1.12 million mentions of QAnon supporter phrases on X, compared to just 81,100 mentions in the previous year. This significant increase in QAnon-related content is concerning, especially considering the role QAnon played in inciting Trump supporters to storm the Capitol building in January 2021.
One particular post that went viral on X was related to the “Frazzledrip” conspiracy, which received over 21.8 million views. This post was shared by a right-wing influencer who has received support from Musk. It is troubling that influential figures like Musk are enabling the spread of dangerous conspiracy theories.
Musk’s support for QAnon influencers is not new. In 2023, Musk personally intervened to reinstate the account of @dom_lucre, a user with over 1.2 million followers who commonly posts far-right conspiracy theories. This user had been suspended for sharing child exploitation pictures, which would typically result in a permanent ban on most platforms. Musk’s decision to reinstate @dom_lucre’s account raises questions about his judgment and priorities.
Furthermore, @dom_lucre has been able to monetize his conspiratorial posts through X’s creator monetization program. This means that he is earning thousands of dollars directly from spreading dangerous falsehoods on the platform. Musk’s support for individuals like @dom_lucre and his previous endorsement of Jacob Chansely, known as the “QAnon Shaman,” who was involved in the Capitol riot, sends a troubling message.
The dangers of QAnon cannot be ignored. Its followers have been involved in numerous killings motivated by their beliefs. In one instance, a Michigan man killed his wife before being fatally shot by the police. His daughter revealed that he had spiraled out of control due to his involvement in QAnon conspiracies. In another case, a QAnon believer killed his two young children, claiming that his wife had “Serpent DNA” and that his children were monsters.
While QAnon has always found ways to circumvent social media platforms’ policies, its recent resurgence on X is particularly concerning. The upcoming November 2024 Presidential election likely plays a role in this resurgence, as QAnon-believing Trump supporters seek to help their chosen candidate. However, it is alarming that Musk and X have actively welcomed these users and provided them with a platform to spread their dangerous falsehoods.
The study by Newsguard highlights the need for greater vigilance in combating the spread of conspiracy theories and misinformation online. Platforms like X must prioritize the safety and well-being of their users over the pursuit of profit. It is essential to hold influential figures accountable for their actions and ensure that they do not enable the dissemination of harmful content.
