Vice President Mike Pence dismissed QAnon days after the president thanked its adherents for supporting his administration.
He sought to put some distance between the conspiracy theory, which claims that a group of powerful sex traffickers is working to take down President Trump, and the White House during a media blitz Friday morning comprising multiple TV interviews across several networks.
“I don’t know anything about that conspiracy theory. I don’t know anything about QAnon, and I dismiss it out of hand,” Pence said on CBS This Morning after host Tony Dokoupil asked if he or Trump believed the theory.
He also was asked about it during his appearance on CNN.
“You said the president seemed to embrace it. I didn’t hear that,” Pence told anchor John Berman on New Day. “I heard the president talk about he appreciates people that support him, very generally. I don’t know anything about that conspiracy theory … We dismiss conspiracy theories around here out of hand.”
Trump thanked QAnon followers for their support, although Trump said that he was not familiar with the details of the conspiracy theory during a White House press briefing on Wednesday.
“I don’t know much about the movement other than I understand they like me very much, which I appreciate. But I don’t know much about the movement. I have heard that it is gaining in popularity. … I’ve heard these are people that love our country, and they just don’t like seeing [riots]. So, I don’t know really anything about it other than they do supposedly like me,” Trump said.
A reporter asked him: “Mr. President, at the crux of the theory is this belief that you are secretly saving the world from this satanic cult of pedophiles and cannibals. Does that sound like something you are behind or a believer in?”
“I haven’t heard that,” Trump replied. “Is that supposed to be a bad thing or a good thing? I mean, you know, if I can help save the world from problems, I’m willing to do it. I’m willing to put myself out there. And we are, actually. We’re saving the world from a radical left philosophy that will destroy this country, and when this country is gone, the rest of the world would follow. … That’s the importance of this country.”
Multiple people who are open QAnon supporters have run for office this election cycle. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican candidate in Georgia who has voiced support for QAnon, won her primary and is likely to win her heavily red congressional district. Greene has rejected the “QAnon candidate” label.
Some GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Liz Cheney, the third highest-ranking House Republican, and Rep. Steve Scalise, the House Republican whip, have denounced the conspiracy theory.
