[ad_1]
Donald Trump declined to expose QAnon, a right-wing conspiracy theory that the FBI believes is a potential national terrorist threat, during an NBC town hall Thursday night.
When NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie would denounce the theory and “just say it’s crazy and it’s not true,” Trump responded, “I don’t know about QAnon.”
Guthrie suggested to Trump that he actually knew about the conspiracy theory, which has been widely covered in the press and has found support among many of Trump’s supporters.
“What I hear about it is that they are very much against pedophilia,” Trump said.
Molly Jong-Fast🏡
(@MollyJongFast)Trump refuses to disown Qanon.
QAnon’s supporters believe that a cabal of Satan-worshiping Democrats, Hollywood celebrities, and billionaires rule the world as they engage in pedophilia, human trafficking, and harvesting a chemical that supposedly extends the life of the blood of the abused children. The conspiracy theory has its roots in anti-Semitic tropes.
Following Trump’s comment, Guthrie again pressed him to clarify that he did not believe in the conspiracy theory.
As Trump continued to mess up and the couple talked to each other, Trump said: “So cute.”
The count
(@therecount)After speaking with moderator Savannah Guthrie, ignoring questions about QAnon, Trump says “How cute.” pic.twitter.com/gOdj0sKdBo
Guthrie later asked Trump why he had retweeted a QAnon Twitter account claiming, without foundation, that Joe Biden had killed a Navy Seal team.
That was a retweet! People can decide for themselves! “Trump said.
Guthrie replied, “I don’t understand that. You’re the president, not someone’s crazy uncle. “
Trump’s Miami city hall was scheduled after Trump refused to commit to a virtual presidential debate. Biden held a town hall at the same time on ABC.
Several Republican candidates who ran for Congress in November endorsed QAnon and, in turn, were endorsed by Trump.
Additional reporting by Julia Carrie Wong
[ad_2]
