Supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory are now suggesting that the deaths of eight people last week during the first night of the Astroworld Festival were planned as part of a Satanic ritual.
There is no evidence whatsoever that Satanists were involved in a crowd crush that Houston officials have referred to as a "mass casualty event," but that hasn't stopped QAnon believers from asserting otherwise.
One TikTok video amassed nearly one million views after its creator suggested that the Astroworld stage "is an inverted cross leading to a portal to Hell." And other social media posts claim the deaths were part of a ritualistic Satanic sacrifice.
Baseless claims indicating the tragedy at Travis Scott's Astroworld festival was in fact a Satanic ritual or sacrifice are rapidly spreading on major social media platforms. pic.twitter.com/blMG9ao1DJ
— Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) November 8, 2021
Satanic Panic conspiracy theories have circulated in conservative circles for quite some time.
The moral panic reached a peak in the 1980s amid unsubstantiated claims that a global Satanic cult comprised of wealthy and powerful elites was abducting young children for sex trafficking and human sacrifices.
These ideas have, however, seen a resurgence thanks in large part to QAnon, whose believers allege Democrats are part of a Satan-worshipping, baby-eating global pedophile ring that conspired against former President Donald Trump during his time in office.
Rapper Travis Scott and Astroworld organizers are currently facing several million-dollar lawsuits charging that the lack of exits, insufficient security and a crowd far beyond festival capacity contributed to the human crush.
Nowhere in these lawsuits is there any evidence or suggestion that Satanists were responsible for the deaths of the eight festival attendees.
These claims have circulated across social media, opening up the conspiracy theory's subscribers to further mockery and criticism.
Doesn't seem far off that people believe Travis Scott #AstroWorld festival was a sacrifice.
Nothing is a coincidence right?
Exhibit A: Mouth of Hell, referenced in Dante's Inferno.
In a conspiracy world, you all entered hell. pic.twitter.com/h6xf0iXaqW
— Nero 🇵🇷🧛🏼♀️🦇 (@NerosUNDRWRLD) November 7, 2021
They brought the kids to sacrifice #AstroWorld pic.twitter.com/qAeVxhIgFk
— AAYAN X (@AAYANXO) November 6, 2021
people love blaming tragedies on satanism or evil spirits when actually it's just capitalism https://t.co/e1q82DoxHv
— Bbbleh (@ThatOodOne) November 9, 2021
We've got Satanic panic! We've got faked celebrity deaths! We've got global communist cabals! We've got combo packs, folks! Get them while it's still 1988! https://t.co/bkI5sIlTZv
— steven monacelli (@stevanzetti) November 8, 2021
Never underestimate how gullible people can be https://t.co/ki9j3uTf47
— Well...Actually (@cariebh) November 9, 2021
Sure. Because the Demographic that made "GET OUT!" are totally within the Venn diagram with satanic rituals. https://t.co/KQnMu2IRHJ
— Rabid Badger🦡 (@RabidBadger) November 9, 2021
Thinking this tragedy was a Satanic ritual is totally normal and not at all worrisome.
Can I just hide from people? https://t.co/V6p1qjCldn
— Kathryn Francis, MA in Political Science (@francesthoughts) November 9, 2021
The satanic panic was stupid the first time around in the '80s. It's just as stupid now. Don't be stupid. https://t.co/VeZsr8NBcU
— CK2049 (@ck2049) November 9, 2021
Oh look, Republicans are at it again. https://t.co/yxphdBvgpl
— John Donchig 🇺🇸 (@jbdonchig) November 8, 2021
I am getting so sick of these people who are COMPLETELY UNHINGED…this country is in big trouble if we are going to have to deal with millions of people who have lost any connection to sanity. https://t.co/m7G12jwFxG
— every day it gets worse (@2021_willitend) November 8, 2021
Although the ludicrousness of QAnon beliefs has inspired considerable derision, last week's headlines, which involved John F. Kennedy Jr. coming back from the dead, seemed to push the limits of credulity.
Last week, QAnon believers descended on the city of Dallas, Texas to await the arrival of JFK Jr.—who died in a plane crash in 1999—on the belief he would reappear and reinstate Donald Trump as President.
When he did not reappear in Dallas at the appointed time, believers began claiming he would appear at a Rolling Stones concert in Dallas that evening.
The failure of JFK Jr. to appear did not stop rally attendees from convincing themselves other dead celebrities had crossed the spiritual realm to join them in calling for former President Trump's reinstatement.
Reporters confirmed QAnon believers were saying they'd seen late comedian Robin Williams and NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt among the rally's attendees.