The QAnon conspiracy web—which hinges on the fantasy that former President Donald Trump was sent by God to expose a covert "deep state" of satanic cannibal pedophiles secretly controlling the world—has many convoluted strands.
These delusions were only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic that's killed more than 800 thousand Americans. The widespread belief among the conspiracy's supporters is that COVID-19 doesn't actually exist at all or that it was deliberately foisted on the American people to prompt the administration of magnetized or microchipped vaccines.
Earlier this month, dozens of QAnoners descended on the right-wing "ReAwaken America" tour in Dallas, Texas. Soon after, far-right podcast host Joe Oltmann posted that he was "sick" and in "urgent need."
With the omicron variant of COVID-19 growing more widespread in the United States every day, and with the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy among right-wing fringes, Oltmann didn't suspect his sickness was COVID-induced.
In fact, he posted:
"I have been sick with what could be an anthrax attack it turns out. More later on this"
Oltmann's claim began circulating as others who were with him in the green room on tour said they were experiencing illness as well, including Oltmann's fellow conspiracy theorist Jovan Pulitzer.
David Clements is claiming that Joe Oltmann, Jovan Pulitzer and “a dozen” others that were at the Reawaken America tour are “suffering from symptoms related to an anthrax attack”
If the tour sounds familiar, it’s because Lin Wood’s been feuding with the organizer, Clay Clark. pic.twitter.com/DDHPM1imuE
— trapezoid of discovery (@get_innocuous) December 21, 2021
I have been following this saga for days. Basically, the guys behind the ‘election fraud audits’ are all sick after attending Michael Flynn and Clay Clark’s big QAnon conference, and they believe that anthrax was pumped in through the churches’ fog machines to poison them. pic.twitter.com/C8yL7mdRZ8
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) December 22, 2021
Oltman later gave an update on Pulitzer's condition, writing:
“Jovan just reached out. In and out of the hospital Getting tested. Negative for Anthrax. Weird symptoms so no idea what he has. But, he is alive and kicking so there is that.”
People had an idea of what was to blame.
This sounds like COVID-19 and they are so hellbent over their ideology, they think someone did a terrorist attack in them..This is insane https://t.co/VdnFpnmTSh
— Sailor Michael⚓✈ (@Megawatts55) December 22, 2021
Or it could be covid 🙄 https://t.co/Ax7dABD1hH
— WeThePeople🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@PrincessBravato) December 22, 2021
Do these symptoms remind you of anything (cough: more likely)? https://t.co/0S0lV0tE6M pic.twitter.com/6AuzFcK1uQ
— Ms Judy Jetson - Get Vaccinated (@MsJudyJetson) December 23, 2021
Oh boy, they'd rather say it was anthrax than to admit they have Covid! 🤦♀️ https://t.co/b19AfdiP4H
— Diane Bernaerts 🇧🇪🌊🌊🌊 (@DianeBernaerts) December 22, 2021
Certainly couldn't be that respiratory virus that's been going around the whole entire planet and spreads easily in indoor spaces where lots of people are talking. No, it's got to be anthrax. Nothing else could possibly explain this mystery. https://t.co/GsXT3XMhuE
— Libbie Grant (@thelibbiegrant) December 22, 2021
There was something else pumping through the churches fog machine as well. You've probably heard of it since it's been in the news here and there for a few years now. https://t.co/GJ75iH5ZL9
— The AZ - abc15 - Data Guru (@Garrett_Archer) December 22, 2021
People were amazed by the depths of their denial.
What The.... https://t.co/M9m7jU6FzA
— OctoberReignz (@0ctoberReignz) December 22, 2021
Wtf! These people! https://t.co/0dcQrn1thh
— JenUwin.. (@JenUwin2021) December 23, 2021
amazing... https://t.co/FJes3bpanY pic.twitter.com/1diWISOXjy
— Patrick Mc Nelis (@PatrickMcNelis8) December 22, 2021
Anti-vaccination conspiracy theories were heavily on display at the event.
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
@CNN/Instagram
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images