- The Republican Party of Hawaii was criticized for posting a series of tweets about the QAnon Conspiracy.
- The tweets suggested that followers of QAnon should not be ridiculed because their beliefs were driven by patriotism.
- QAnon’s followers were involved in the uprising in the United States Capitol building.
- Visit the Business Insider home page for more stories.
The Republican Party of Hawaii posted a series of tweets that appeared to defend followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory.
The eight-part Twitter topic on Friday night concluded with a call not to ridicule QAnon supporters.
The tweet said, “We must make it very clear – the people who signed the fiction Q were largely motivated by a sincere and deep love for America. Patriotism and love for the Shire should never be ridiculed.”
—Hawaii GOP (@gophawaii) January 24, 2021
In previous tweets, the Republican Party of Hawaii described the origins of the conspiracy theory that is believed to have fueled the deadly siege of the United States Capitol building.
Read More: The right-wing conspiracy theories that fueled the siege of the Capitol will instigate further violence.
A tweet focused on the central conspiracy theory belief that a ‘deep state’ engages in coordinated plots to undermine former President Donald Trump.
It said, “What’s the truth? There are groups of people highly connected with specific agendas. Factions and individuals within the government abuse power – Peter Strozk, Steele Dossier, James Comey, FISA courts and so on.”
He continued: “Powerful people engage in abusive or predatory behavior.”
Another tweet said: “People who followed Q don’t deserve mockery, the world is a complex place, there are bad actors, injustice, corruption.”
The tweets drew criticism from people who felt that the Republican Party of Hawaii was trying to rationalize the refuted QAnon conspiracy theory.
—William LeGate (@williamlegate) January 24, 2021
– Give Tara Dublin Josh Hawley’s Book Deal (@taradublinrocks) January 24, 2021
—Katherine Cross (@Quinnae_Moon) January 24, 2021
—Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) January 24, 2021
Conspiracy supporters were on the front lines of the January 6 uprising.
A QAnon influencer – the ‘Q Shaman’ – played a highly visible role in the siege of the Capitol. He has already been arrested and charged with federal crimes.
Ashli Babbitt, who was shot dead during the coup attempt, also appeared to be a supporter of QAnon.
Some of the conspiracy theorists believed that breaking into the Capitol could trigger an event that would result in the overthrow of Trump and the execution of anti-Trump elites.