I honestly think it has less to do with anything conspiracy theory related and everything to do with good old fashioned racism, bigotry, and hypocrisy. The only thing that could be considered a conspiracy theory type deal that contributes is "somehow"* a large number of so-called Christians have been led to believe that the U.S. was founded on Christianity. Well that and that Jesus would somehow approve of denying people healthcare and housing, the prison industrial complex, and hating foreigners.

by "somehow" I mean this is the line of horseshit that has been fed to them by pastors/preachers/priests. I'm sure they got together at some point and planned this out, so it would count as a conspiracy.

[–] pjwestin@lemmy.world 3 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

I honestly think it has less to do with anything conspiracy theory related and everything to do with good old fashioned racism, bigotry, and hypocrisy.

These things aren't as disconnected as you might think. Conspiracy theories often create a permission structure for bigotry. The Protocols of the Elders of Zion made the internment and extermination of Jews in Nazi Germany acceptable. QAnon conspiracies about child trafficking are creating the same permission structure for the persecution of immigrants (there's a reason Kilmar Abrego Garcia is facing trumped-up human trafficking charges now).

Conspiracy theorists are also often on the front-line of fascist movements, and following Q has kept me ahead of the curve on some of this stuff. While everyone was wondering who the hell the buffalo guy was on Jan 6, I was thinking, "Of course the QAnon Shaman is here."

[–] Wolf@lemmy.today 3 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

These things aren’t as disconnected as you might think. Conspiracy theories often create a permission structure for bigotry.

Sure propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation (which includes conspiracy theories) play a role in 'justifying' the actions of disgusting politicians in the eyes of bigots. I've already said that Trumpets will swallow up just about any bit of horseshit fed to them if it fits their worldview. I'm just not convinced it works the other way around. Once you have used such tactics to get a fascist in power I think it's much harder to 'reverse course' on that and use those tactics against the fascist. Especially in our current climate where people already have zero trust in 'the other side'.

The people advancing the whole Epstein Democrat pedo-ring 'conspiracy' were doing it to harm Democrats, not Trump. If they believed Trump had anything to do with it, they likely would have kept their mouths shut about it. They are clearly just fine with him being a sexual predator. I can almost guarantee the response by the majority of MAGAts will be 'Well if Trump says there is no conspiracy, then there is none". He's already acting as if this is 'old news' and that it's a settled matter. You really think a significant portion of his base is going to even try to hold him accountable for this?

He is currently wiping his ass with the constitution, up until this administration most so-called conservatives have been adamant that the constitution is a fantastic document that should be preserved at all costs. Once Trump was like "the constitution doesn't mean shit if it disagrees with me" what did they do? Did they demand he follow it? No, they did not.

Don't get me wrong, I would love nothing more than to see a large percentage of his base flip on him and finally demand accountability for his criminal actions- I've just seen no evidence whatsoever that they are willing, able, or have the moral fiber to bother doing so.

[–] pjwestin@lemmy.world 2 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

I mean, I mostly agree. I would say that most Trump supporters don't actually know what's in the constitution beyond the 2nd amendment, and that's why Trump is able to wipe his ass with it. If he were to directly say, "I don't care about the constitution," a lot of his supporters would denounce that. Similarly, I think a lot of his conspiracy supporters are willing to fold any contradictions he makes in the Epstien stuff into their conspiracy, but if he tries to denounce the conspiracy, he will be denounced. But only time will tell if they will, or if he even needs them now that he's in power.

[–] Wolf@lemmy.today 2 points 12 hours ago

I would say that most Trump supporters don’t actually know what’s in the constitution beyond the 2nd amendment

That is almost certainly true. Good point.

If he were to directly say, “I don’t care about the constitution,” a lot of his supporters would denounce that.

“Do you throw the Presidential Election Results of 2020 OUT and declare the RIGHTFUL WINNER, or do you have a NEW ELECTION? A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution,” Trump wrote in a post on the social network Truth Social

IDK how many MAGAt's actually read Truth social, but that can't be any more clearly stated.

if he tries to denounce the conspiracy, he will be denounced. But only time will tell if they will, or if he even needs them now that he’s in power.

He has denounced it, and it doesn't seem like he's going to reverse that position. I hope you end up being right by the way. I'm admittedly a pessimist.