Date of Award

Spring 4-6-2025

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Communication and Digital Studies

Department Chair or Program Director

Whalen, Zach

First Advisor

Crosby, Emily

Major or Concentration

Communication and Digital Studies

Abstract

In this paper I use rhetorical criticism to explore the rhetorical techniques that aid in the dissemination and continued belief in QAnon, an expanding political conspiracy theory that originally centered around former President Donald Trump fighting powerful Satanic pedophiles. Several practices have made the spread of its ideas remarkably effective. The anonymity of QAnon’s source prevents questioning, making it harder to disprove their proposed theories, and the support of politicians and influencers increases the perceived truthfulness of QAnon’s ideas. Multimedia coverage, especially on mainstream social media platforms, spreads the beliefs to a wide audience. Vague language leaves the messages open to interpretation and allows supporters to craft narratives around the messages and build a shared community. Additionally, its form and content parallel those found in Christianity, providing familiarity, purpose, and identity to its supporters, and presenting Donald Trump as a Jesus-like figure. Once someone believes in a conspiracy theory such as QAnon, anti-conspiracy theory messaging often does not change their views, and since belief in QAnon and other conspiracy theories has led to criminal activities, understanding how the theory spreads might help counter its effects (Jolley & Douglas, 2017).

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