Supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory descended on the city of Dallas, Texas to await the arrival of John F. Kennedy Jr.—who died in a plane crash in 1999—and who the conspiracy theorists believed would reappear and reinstate Donald Trump as President.
Or be his running mate in 2024. The story varies from one QAnon adherent to another.
The belief JFK Jr. is still alive has circulated in QAnon circles for quite some time.
When he did not reappear in Dallas at the appointed time, believers began claiming he would appear at a Rolling Stones concert in Dallas on Tuesday evening.
The lack of JFK Jr. did not stop rally attendees from convincing themselves other dead celebrities had crossed the spiritual realm to join them in calling for former President Trump's reinstatement.
Reporters confirmed QAnon believers were saying they'd seen late comedian Robin Williams and NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt among the rally's attendees.
The QAnon people are walking up to random people they think are dead celebrities in Dallas today and introducing themselves. So far they have seen "Robin Williams" and "Dale Earnhardt."
They now think JFK Jr. will reveal himself at a Rolling Stones concert tonight. pic.twitter.com/oyu7YkRgBk
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) November 2, 2021
Footage of the event went viral.
The fact rally attendees were utterly convinced they were right left many disturbed.
Seems fine.
I'll admit, part of me is fascinated by this. Just the question of how someone gets to a place where “facts" no longer exist. Any version of history you want can be true, any person commonly known to be dead can be alive. Must understand how this process happens. https://t.co/jVzSYFsJi4
— Phillip Kennedy Johnson (@PhillipKJohnson) November 2, 2021
Two questions:
1. What happens when these people wake up and realize they've been dragged through a ton of grifting bullshit?
2. What happens if they don't? https://t.co/VG2Ja40zzy
— ✨Dianne The History Teacher✨ (@TxBuckeyeBabe) November 2, 2021
What a time to be alive.
I was worried I'd overcooked the power of propaganda in Priest of Crowns. Now I'm starting to worry I undercooked it... https://t.co/IwnjkMZHxO
— Peter McLean (@PeteMC666) November 2, 2021
OMFG! These people need a padded room right now. https://t.co/FTN7dA2b2n
— Cathy Rovner (@CathyRovner) November 2, 2021
The stupidity is laughable, but imagine being the family of those that lost their loved ones. This is so cruel. https://t.co/pvLjwroBKL
— priyadesai (@priyadesai) November 2, 2021
What an excruciatingly dumb time to be alive. https://t.co/MykPJxrvri
— Courtney Bonneau 🇵🇸 (@BonneauCourtney) November 2, 2021
Please let them see a resurrected George Carlin so he can adequately tell them how stupid they are. https://t.co/uJTP4NZGln
— Machine Pun Kelly (@KellyScaletta) November 2, 2021
The QAnon conspiracy theory alleges Democrats are part of a Satan-worshipping, baby-eating global pedophile ring that conspired against former President Trump during his time in office.
Subscribers to the theory have repeatedly called for Trump's reinstatement.
Over the summer, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, one of Trump's most devoted followers, insisted Trump would be reinstated to the White House on August 13.
Lindell had claimed, without providing any evidence, this reinstatement would coincide with his release of definitive proof the 2020 general election was stolen despite the fact there was none.
But that didn't happen.
"Reinstatement Day" proved to be another fantasy from hardcore QAnon followers eager for Trump's return to prominence. The belief Trump would be reinstated by August had circulated for some time after prior predicted days came and went.
In June, New York Times reporter and Trump family confidante Maggie Haberman revealed Trump had reportedly been telling people he expected he would be "reinstated" to the White House by August. There is no constitutional basis for such a claim.
At the time, Haberman did note Trump's claim was being floated as he faced the "possibility of an indictment" from the Manhattan District Attorney.
Later that same month, Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg would be charged with a slew of financial crimes.