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Trump Says He Doesn't Know Much About QAnon, Appreciates Followers' Support

Associated Press

   WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Wednesday praised the supporters
   of QAnon, a convoluted, pro-Trump conspiracy theory, and suggested he
   appreciates their support of his candidacy.

   Trump insisted he hadn't heard much about the movement, "other than I
   understand they like me very much" and "it is gaining in popularity."

   Speaking during a news conference at the White House, Trump courted the
   support of those who put stock in the conspiracy theory, saying, "I
   heard that these are people that love our country." It was Trump's
   first public comment on the subject and continued a pattern of
   president appearing unwilling to resoundingly condemn extremists who
   support his candidacy.

   QAnon has ricocheted around the darker corners of the internet since
   late 2017 but has been creeping into mainstream politics more and more.
   The baseless theory centers on an alleged anonymous, high-ranking
   government official known as "Q" who shares information about an
   anti-Trump "deep state" often tied to satanism and child sex
   trafficking.

   Trump has retweeted QAnon-promoting accounts, and shirts and hats with
   QAnon symbols and slogans are not uncommon at his rallies.

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