Donald Trump turned heads last week when he praised people who adhere to the QAnon conspiracy theory that claims Satan-worshipping paedophiles in powerful positions around the globe are gunning for the US president.
“These are people that love our country,” Mr Trump said at the White House. “They like me very much.”
Mr Trump was commenting after Marjorie Greene, a QAnon proponent, won a Republican primary in Georgia, before later distancing herself from the theory. She will almost certainly beat her Democratic opponent in the conservative district on November 3 — the same day that Mr Trump will face Joe Biden in the presidential election.
After Mr Trump called Ms Greene a “future Republican star”, Liz Cheney, the third-highest ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, said QAnon was “dangerous lunacy” that had no place in politics. Ben Sasse, a Nebraska Republican, went even further: “QAnon is nuts. And real leaders [would] call conspiracy theories conspiracy theories. If Democrats take the Senate in November, blow up the filibuster and pack the Supreme Court, garbage like this will be a big part of why they won.”
The two conservatives were among only a handful of Republicans who were publicly indignant, illustrating a conundrum for the party as it opens its political convention on Monday. Candidates such as Ms Greene pose a threat to the broader future of the 166-year-old party. But they enjoy the strong support of Mr Trump and his base — the ultra-conservative segment of the Republican electorate which is most active in primary races.
Read more at:
US election: a divided Republican party questions Trump legacy | Financial Times
“These are people that love our country,” Mr Trump said at the White House. “They like me very much.”
Mr Trump was commenting after Marjorie Greene, a QAnon proponent, won a Republican primary in Georgia, before later distancing herself from the theory. She will almost certainly beat her Democratic opponent in the conservative district on November 3 — the same day that Mr Trump will face Joe Biden in the presidential election.
After Mr Trump called Ms Greene a “future Republican star”, Liz Cheney, the third-highest ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, said QAnon was “dangerous lunacy” that had no place in politics. Ben Sasse, a Nebraska Republican, went even further: “QAnon is nuts. And real leaders [would] call conspiracy theories conspiracy theories. If Democrats take the Senate in November, blow up the filibuster and pack the Supreme Court, garbage like this will be a big part of why they won.”
The two conservatives were among only a handful of Republicans who were publicly indignant, illustrating a conundrum for the party as it opens its political convention on Monday. Candidates such as Ms Greene pose a threat to the broader future of the 166-year-old party. But they enjoy the strong support of Mr Trump and his base — the ultra-conservative segment of the Republican electorate which is most active in primary races.
Read more at:
US election: a divided Republican party questions Trump legacy | Financial Times
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