Read on Twitter
To mark the occasion of @mtgreenee entering Congress, I’m going to delineate her history with QAnon, based on two livestream videos and her own tweets.
This thread will clarify why I believe it’s fair and accurate to describe Greene as a “QAnon follower” or “QAnon believer.” https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1345752986488856577
This thread will clarify why I believe it’s fair and accurate to describe Greene as a “QAnon follower” or “QAnon believer.” https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1345752986488856577
This thread will also hopefully help Rep. Greene and her team understand what they can expect from me during her Congressional term.
I look forward to working with you.
I look forward to working with you.
Some are under the misconception that Rep. Greene briefly flirted with QAnon but later disavowed it. At least, that’s what some of her supporters and staffers want people to think.
In reality, Greene promoted QAnon for years and hasn’t disavowed it in any meaningful sense.
In reality, Greene promoted QAnon for years and hasn’t disavowed it in any meaningful sense.
Marjorie Taylor Greene was involved in QAnon early. In November 2017, just a month after the first Q drops, she posted a 29-minute long Facebook Live video. In it, she repeatedly praises Q.
“Q is a patriot. We know that for sure. But we do not know who Q is.”
“Q is a patriot. We know that for sure. But we do not know who Q is.”
In that video, Greene shows she was duped by Q’s cryptic posts and cold reading tricks. “Q drops” are reinterpreted to be “predictions” in the same way that Nostradamus’ quatrains were:
“My of the things that he has given clues about on 4chan … have really proven to be true.”
“My of the things that he has given clues about on 4chan … have really proven to be true.”
If that isn't clear enough, Greene emphasizes that she's convinced of Q’s authenticity.
“He appears to have connections at the highest levels. He’s posted many things that seem to verify that he is the real deal. It’s not just someone poking in the dark, messing with people.”
“He appears to have connections at the highest levels. He’s posted many things that seem to verify that he is the real deal. It’s not just someone poking in the dark, messing with people.”
Greene was enticed by the “Mueller White Hat” theory. This claimed that Special Counsel Robert Mueller wasn’t investigating the Trump Campaign, but was instead investigating Hillary Clinton.
It’s nonsense then and now, but it was popular within the QAnon community at the time.
It’s nonsense then and now, but it was popular within the QAnon community at the time.
Greene was also a proponent of the “mass sealed indictments” QAnon theory. This proposed that the DOJ amassed thousands of sealed indictments that were going to be unsealed at any moment, leading to “The Storm” of mass arrests in QAnon lore.
This is obviously dumb horeshit.
This is obviously dumb horeshit.
In reality, the claims about “mass sealed indictments” derive from confusion about data from the court record system PACER. QAnon “researchers” falsely thought that every sealed proceeding in PACER is a “sealed indictment.”
Here's a breakdown: https://wmerthon6.wixsite.com/website-1/post/comprehensive-analysis-of-the-50k-sealed-indictment-claim
Here's a breakdown: https://wmerthon6.wixsite.com/website-1/post/comprehensive-analysis-of-the-50k-sealed-indictment-claim
We also dove into the false claims of “mass sealed indictments” in a QAnon Anonymous podcast episode, with help from @popehat. https://soundcloud.com/qanonanonymous/episode-47-sealed-indictments-feat-popehat-aka-ken-white
In that video, Greene discusses the QAnon concept of “The Great Awakening,” or “The Awakening,” as she calls it.
In the video Greene expresses concern over “Satanic worship” in the highest levels of government. As evidence, she cites an email published by Wikileaks in which Cheryl Mills supposedly confessed to “sacrificing a chicken to Moloch.”
She gets basic facts about that email wrong.
She gets basic facts about that email wrong.
The email Greene references in the above clip was not from Cheryl Mills. It was from one Lewis Amselem, forwarded by Craig Kelly to Cheryl Mills, and from Cheryl Mills to Hillary Clinton. Yet, Marjorie Taylor Greene falsely reports this as “Cheryl Mills said to Hillary Clinton.”
Not that it matters, but Lewis Amselem, the person who actually wrote the the "sacrifice a chicken to Moloch" line in the email, today describes himself as a "Proud Deplorable" and "Conservative/Libertarian."
In context, the “moloch” bit is clearly a tongue in cheek way for Amselem to say he hopes for the best. The full quote is
“With fingers crossed, the old rabbit’s foot out of the box in the attic, I will be sacrificing a chicken in the backyard to Moloch…”
“With fingers crossed, the old rabbit’s foot out of the box in the attic, I will be sacrificing a chicken in the backyard to Moloch…”
Obviously, there’s no reason to believe Amselsm actually stained his backyard with chicken blood, nor did he have an old rabbit’s foot, nor did he cross his fingers.
It’s a joke.
If that’s satanic, then saying “knock on wood” is equally satanic.
It’s a joke.
If that’s satanic, then saying “knock on wood” is equally satanic.
Despite the fact that this isn’t evidence of high level satanic worship, Greene encouraged her viewers to believe that it's all true and the Mainstream Media is covering it all up.
In that video Greene also clarifies the stakes of the "Q operation," in her view: it's a matter of "good versus evil."
Greene also echoed the antisemitic canards of QAnon, claiming that the Rothschilds and George Soros are the “puppet masters” of “global evil.”
This is not the only time Greene promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories. As Media Matters reported, Greene has also shared a video implying that Jews are at the heart of a conspiracy to destroy Europe. https://www.mediamatters.org/congress/marjorie-taylor-greene-shared-anti-muslim-video-portrays-jewish-people-trying-destroy
In that video Greene expresses excitement for what QAnon portends.
“There is a once in a lifetime opportunity to take this global cabal of satan-worshipping pedophiles out. And I think we have the president to do it.”
“There is a once in a lifetime opportunity to take this global cabal of satan-worshipping pedophiles out. And I think we have the president to do it.”
Who introduced Greene to QAnon?
In that video, Greene reveals that she "first heard about" it from pizzagate and QAnon promoter Liz Crokin.
In that video, Greene reveals that she "first heard about" it from pizzagate and QAnon promoter Liz Crokin.
Liz Crokin has made many bizarre and false claims over the years. Among them is the claim that JFK Jr. faked his death in 1999 and is now the person behind the Q posts.
This view is fringe even within the QAnon community. https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/liz-crokin-john-f-kennedy-jr-faked-his-death-and-is-now-qanon/
This view is fringe even within the QAnon community. https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/liz-crokin-john-f-kennedy-jr-faked-his-death-and-is-now-qanon/
A year after that Facebook Live video, in Nov. 2018, Marjorie Taylor Greene livestreamed a talk for the conservative American Priority Conference.
In that video she revealed herself to be an 9/11 conspiracy theorist, claiming there’s no evidence that a plane hit the Pentagon.
In that video she revealed herself to be an 9/11 conspiracy theorist, claiming there’s no evidence that a plane hit the Pentagon.
After Media Matters reported on Greene’s comments, she disavowed the 9/11 conspiracy theory. But she still justified her false beliefs because “our government lies to us so much” that “it’s hard sometimes to know what is real and what is not.”
https://twitter.com/mtgreenee/status/1293975383080148992
https://twitter.com/mtgreenee/status/1293975383080148992
In that AMP Conference livestream Greene bizarrely claimed that the gang MS-13 were the “henchmen of the Obama administration.” And that Democratic staffer “Seth Rich was murdered by two MS-13 gang members.”
This bullshit story is straight from QAnon.
This bullshit story is straight from QAnon.
Seth Rich's murder is unsolved. His tragic death was twisted by conspiracy theorists, Fox News, and Russian propagandists in order to distract from the fact that the DNC was hacked by Russian agents.
Rich’s family settled a lawsuit with Fox News. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/seth-rich-fox-news-sean-hannity-wikileaks-donald-trump-1040830/
Rich’s family settled a lawsuit with Fox News. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/seth-rich-fox-news-sean-hannity-wikileaks-donald-trump-1040830/
But where did Greene get the idea that Seth Rich was murdered by MS-13? From a Q drop.
In QAnon lore, the Obama admin hired MS-13 gang members to take out Seth Rich, who themselves were eliminated after the job was done.
This shows Greene was deep into QAnon in late 2018.
In QAnon lore, the Obama admin hired MS-13 gang members to take out Seth Rich, who themselves were eliminated after the job was done.
This shows Greene was deep into QAnon in late 2018.
Greene also claimed that Democrats had a ”16 year plan” for the “radical transformation of America.”
“16 years” might seem strangely specific, unless you realize that this claim also originates from a Q Drop.
“16 years” might seem strangely specific, unless you realize that this claim also originates from a Q Drop.
In the above clip Greene is specifically referring to a January 2018 Q drop. It references “The 16 Year Plan to Destroy America.”
In QAnon lore, this plan involved Obama weakening America for 8 years, and then Clinton destroying America during her two presidential terms.
In QAnon lore, this plan involved Obama weakening America for 8 years, and then Clinton destroying America during her two presidential terms.
Greene falsely claimed JFK Jr. announced a run for Senate just before the plane crash that took his life. Greene chalks this up as “another one of those Clinton murders.”
In truth, JFK Jr never announced a Senate run and Greene’s murder accusation is contradicted by the facts.
In truth, JFK Jr never announced a Senate run and Greene’s murder accusation is contradicted by the facts.
This baseless conspiracy theory about JFK Jr. and Clinton was in circulation prior to QAnon, but it was also promoted in a Q drop. Which is where I bet Greene got it.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/10/21/fact-check-hillary-clinton-jfk-jr-and-2000-new-york-senate-race/5993292002/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/10/21/fact-check-hillary-clinton-jfk-jr-and-2000-new-york-senate-race/5993292002/
Throughout 2018, Marjorie Taylor Greene also promoted and endorsed QAnon on Twitter.
Here she is in May 2018 referencing “The Storm” in response to a tweet from a since-suspended QAnon promoter.
http://archive.is/GPNPW
Here she is in May 2018 referencing “The Storm” in response to a tweet from a since-suspended QAnon promoter.
http://archive.is/GPNPW
In June 2018, Greene called a Q drop “brilliant” under a tweet from major QAnon promoter Jordan Sather.
http://archive.is/jlkoa
http://archive.is/jlkoa
In April 2018, Marjorie Taylor Greene asked fellow QAnon followers on Twitter “Are we confident that RC is going to be investigated.”
This was in reference to Rachel Chandler, a woman who is often falsely accused by QAnon followers of being involved with Jeffrey Epstein.
This was in reference to Rachel Chandler, a woman who is often falsely accused by QAnon followers of being involved with Jeffrey Epstein.
Julie K. Brown, who has done more to expose the corruption surrounding Epstein than any other journalist, dismissed claims about Rachel Chandler as “BS internet conspiracy shit.”
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/young-woman-clinton-epstein/
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/young-woman-clinton-epstein/
Some defenders of Marjorie Taylor Greene claim that she has left QAnon behind. In August of last year, House minority leader Kevin McCarthy claimed that Greene “denounced” QAnon.
But has she?
But has she?
Greene’s supposed denouncement comes from a video interview published by Fox News. In that interview, she says that she never mentioned QAnon during her congressional campaign.
Which is true, that’s not a denouncement of QAnon.
Which is true, that’s not a denouncement of QAnon.
Greene, who is typically very blunt, is vague in the video.
“What really made me change my mind … I chose a different path and that’s where I came to the place where I decided to run for Congress.”
She says she “changed her mind” but doesn’t specify how she changed her mind.
“What really made me change my mind … I chose a different path and that’s where I came to the place where I decided to run for Congress.”
She says she “changed her mind” but doesn’t specify how she changed her mind.
When Greene is asked about “misinformation” she saw from Q, she says “it was ‘the midterms are safe,’ the midterms weren’t safe.”
But this still doesn’t qualify as a denouncement, as even dedicated QAnon followers claim that Q drops contain deliberate “disinformation.”
But this still doesn’t qualify as a denouncement, as even dedicated QAnon followers claim that Q drops contain deliberate “disinformation.”
Even just last month Marjorie Taylor Greene dismissed an opportunity to denounce QAnon. https://twitter.com/DJJudd/status/1337428294065647621
Compare Greene’s non-denouncements to the denouncements of QAnon by fellow freshman Rep. Lauren Boebert.
Boebert said she’s not a QAnon follower and “QAnon=fake news.” It’s strange that Greene is unable to denounce QAnon with that same level of clarity https://twitter.com/travis_view/status/1278901165359370245
Boebert said she’s not a QAnon follower and “QAnon=fake news.” It’s strange that Greene is unable to denounce QAnon with that same level of clarity https://twitter.com/travis_view/status/1278901165359370245
Let's be charitable and give Greene the benefit of the doubt. Let’s assume she intended to say “I realized QAnon is wrong because Q made a false prediction about the outcome of the midterms.”
But there’s still a problem. Namely, Greene promoted QAnon after the 2018 midterms.
But there’s still a problem. Namely, Greene promoted QAnon after the 2018 midterms.
In December 2018, a month after the midterm elections, Greene praised a Q drop decode by QAnon promoter Lisa Mei Crowley.
I would argue that this isn’t consistent with the behavior of someone who believes that QAnon is full of misinformation.
I would argue that this isn’t consistent with the behavior of someone who believes that QAnon is full of misinformation.
In late November 2018, Greene also tweeted simply “53-47.” This was in reference to a Q drop.
QAnon followers had previously claimed that "53-47" was a prediction of the vote to confirm Justice Kavanagh (the actual vote was 50-48).
After that failed, they started coming up with other possible answers. https://twitter.com/travis_view/status/1048668309598531584
After that failed, they started coming up with other possible answers. https://twitter.com/travis_view/status/1048668309598531584
After the midterms left the Republicans with 53 Senators, QAnon followers instead decided that “53-47” was a prediction of the party composition of the Senate.
This, ironically, implies that the midterm elections were rigged to achieve that outcome.
This, ironically, implies that the midterm elections were rigged to achieve that outcome.
To be clear: by tweeting “53-47” Greene here is implying that Q predicted the results of the midterm elections. Which is the exact opposite of the claim that she was disillusioned with Q because Q got the midterm elections wrong.
What’s more, Marjorie Taylor Greene promoted QAnon after she was elected. In December 2020, she shared a pro-QAnon article, calling it “the first accurate article about people following Q.” https://twitter.com/willsommer/status/1334937804162338820
To summarize what we’ve learned today
1) Greene has followed and promoted QAnon for over three years
2) Greene promoted QAnon after she was elected
3) Greene has never “denounced” QAnon
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is a QAnon follower.
1) Greene has followed and promoted QAnon for over three years
2) Greene promoted QAnon after she was elected
3) Greene has never “denounced” QAnon
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is a QAnon follower.
If @mtgreenee takes issue with a single word in this thread, I would strongly encourage her to unblock me and make her objections known.
She doesn't typically shy away from a Twitter spat, so I don't see why she would make an exception for me.
/thread
She doesn't typically shy away from a Twitter spat, so I don't see why she would make an exception for me.
/thread
