President praises supporters of ‘deep state’ conspiracy theory

DONALD TRUMP praised the supporters of Qanon, a convoluted, pro-trump conspiracy theory, indicating he appreciated their support of his candidacy.

Speaking during a press conference at the White House, the president courted the support of those who put stock in the conspiracy theory, saying: “I heard that these are people that love our country.”

It was Mr Trump’s first public comment on the subject and followed a pattern of the president appearing unwilling to condemn extremists who support his candidacy. Qanon has ricocheted around the darker corners of the internet since late 2017, but has crept into mainstream politics. The baseless theory centres on an alleged anonymous, highranking government official known as “Q” who shares information about an antitrump “deep state” often tied to Satanism and child sex trafficking.

Mr Trump insisted he had not heard much about the movement, “other than I understand they like me very much” and “it is gaining in popularity”. Shirts and hats with Qanon symbols and slogans are not uncommon at his rallies.

An FBI bulletin last May warned that conspiracy theory-driven extremists have become a domestic terrorism threat. The bulletin specifically mentioned Qanon.

Mr Trump’s comments were condemned by the campaign of his Democratic rival, Joe Biden.

“Donald Trump just sought to legitimise a conspiracy theory that the FBI has identified as a domestic terrorism threat,” said Andrew Bates, Mr Biden’s spokesman.

‘I understand they like me very much ... it is gaining in popularity’