Hawaii Republican Party Deletes Tweets Defending QAnon Believers After Backlash

Topline

The Hawaii Republican Party posted—then deleted—a series of tweets Saturday defending and praising QAnon believers, drawing criticism from some GOP lawmakers who have sought to root out the conspiracy theory from the party.

Key Facts

Linking to an old post about QAnon on a random message board online, the Hawaii GOP posted a string of tweets describing the conspiracy theory’s origins and blaming the mainstream media for lending credence to the “fictionalized” account, before lauding QAnon followers themselves. 

“What is the truth?” the Hawaii GOP said, and asserted that followers of QAnon “don’t deserve mockery” and that they “were largely motivated by a sincere and deep love for America.” 

As it faced a backlash online, the party attempted to clarify its stance before deleting the tweets altogether.  

The Hawaii GOP did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment Sunday. 

Surprising Fact

In July, the Hawaii GOP shared a video on its page of a congressional candidate reciting a QAnon pledge. 

Tangent

The Texas Republican Party also drew criticism Sunday for continuing to use a QAnon slogan, “We are the storm,” on its Twitter account. In August when the party first adopted the slogan, Texas GOP chair Allen West claimed there was no connection between the catchphrase and the conspiracy theory—saying he had been inspired by a quote he likes.

Key Background 

QAnon followers looked for the coming of the “storm,” when President Donald Trump was expected to round up and arrest a global cabal of Democrats and Hollywood actors running a child trafficking ring. Believers of the crackpot conspiracy theory scour the internet for signs and clues—such as references to the “storm”—supposedly signifying powerful people are listening to them. While in office, Trump retweeted QAnon influencers hundreds of times and refused to disavow the theory outright, once praising the conspiracy theory’s followers.

What To Watch For 

After Trump left office Wednesday and, predictably, the “storm” never came, followers of the conspiracy theory fractured. Some believers lost faith, realizing the moment they had been waiting for never came, while others have held out hope, trying out new spins on the conspiracy theory. 

Chief Critic

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), one of the most vocal Republican voices against QAnon, decried the Hawaii GOP’s tweets Sunday. “Allow me to edit please,” Kinzinger said, linking to one of the party’s tweets about QAnon. “‘We should make it abundantly clear, Q is false, we never should have allowed it to spread, and the attack on the Capitol was the worst day in America in recent memory and we denounce it.’ Try that instead.”

Some Republicans, including Kinzinger, have warned the party now faces an inflection point as it charts its post-Trump future. In an op-ed published last week, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) said the party “faces a choice” with Trump gone: “Dedicate ourselves to defending the Constitution and perpetuating our best American institutions and traditions” or be a “party of conspiracy theories, cable-news fantasies, and the ruin that comes with them.”

Further Reading

‘It’s Got A Great Ring To It’: Conservative Personalities Warm To Trump ‘Patriot Party’ With QAnon Roots (Forbes)

‘We All Got Played’: QAnon Followers Implode After Big Moment Never Comes (Forbes) 

The Texas GOP’s new slogan echoes a conspiracy group. Its chair says there’s no connection. (Texas Tribune)


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