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How QAnon, the conspiracy theory spawned by a Trump quip, got so big and scary

The internet has made it easier than ever before to evangelize on behalf of a conspiracy theory. But this week, the missionaries for QAnon used their physical bodies to spread the word, with T-shirts and a paper sign, "We are Q," aimed at the cameras covering President Donald Trump's campaign rally.

People noticed, including journalists. The signs became mainstream news, and the news of QAnon spread. On Reddit's "Great Awakening" discussion board, devoted to QAnon and its supporters, a user wrote, "QAnon is finally trending on Twitter!"

QAnon is as convoluted as any other conspiracy theory out there but with one distinguishing feature: QAnon is the result of a twisted sort of optimism.