In recent years, the state of democracy in the United States has set off alarms flagging an impending crisis. One clear indicator is a rapidly growing number of QAnon, conspiracy-minded elected officials in leadership positions and the presence of ideology on center stage.  

QAnon is a wide-ranging, completely unfounded set of evolving conspiracy theories whose believers claim an elite cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles is pulling the strings in government, business, and news media, social media and entertainment. Spread largely through online channels, it is a combination of old internet hoaxes, mis-and disinformation found in online forums like 4chan and moral panics about child trafficking. QAnon found its way into the public sphere during the 2016 election and hit the mainstream in 2020. The pandemic contributed to the proliferation of conspiracy theories as many turned to the internet for relief and belonging in a moment of crisis. For many, the idea that “Satan-worshiping pedophiles'' are running the world sounds outlandish. But that year, QAnon’s increased public visibility resulted in real-world appearances at protests, during public comment in local government meetings and at the polls. QAnon has a real impact on communities worldwide and has shaped not only political conversations but actual violence, including murder, assault and public endangerment.

The increasing visibility of QAnon had tangible impacts across new right wing movements as they quickly scaled power, often leveraging disinformation and conspiracy theories shaped and amplified by QAnon networks. By leaning on ideological narratives of racism, xenophobia and misogyny, these movements’ leaders enable their bases in flashpoint moments, prepare them for long-term battles, and bring communities on the margins (across race, class and gender) into an emerging shared narrative framework. However, there is still hope for the tide to change for the better — and the key lies in the power of community.

‍Down the Rabbit Hole: Demystifying QAnon Narratives and Networks is a deep dive into how QAnon has impacted women and femmes across race, class and geography. The report identifies the key stories, narratives, and values operating inside and adjacent to the QAnon ecosystem and explores the specific conversations and networks that act as onramps````````` for women and femmes. The unique narrative and network analysis also articulate the nuances within these networks. The report describes how specific values and narratives present in QAnon content resonate with women, and takes a closer look at women and femmes of color, to better understand how they become involved in the conspiracy-minded community.