On this week’s episode, Chuck Todd is joined by experts to discuss the rise of QAnon and the impact that this conspiracy theory has made on our political landscape.
Plus, new polling from Dynata breaks down the demographics of QAnon followers.
Tune in tonight, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC News NOW and Peacock.
On this week’s episode of Meet the Press Reports, Chuck Todd examines the rise of QAnon, and how it’s just the latest example in a long history of American political conspiracies.
The 30-minute episode explores how anonymous posts online made their way from the fringes of the internet all the way to being a topic in the White House briefing room.
“From the early days of this country’s founding, there have been government skeptics-turned-conspiracy theorists,” Chuck Todd says at the top of the episode. “But until very recently, they weren’t armed with the tool they now use to propagate their message: social media,” he adds.
Conspiracy theories are nothing new in American political history, but the internet has allowed QAnon to spread fast and dangerously. Social media companies are cracking down, but on this episode, Chuck Todd explores if it is too late. And what happens to the movement if President Trump is re-elected, or if he loses?
Plus, QAnon is on the ballot. The group of experts discuss how a growing list of QAnon-linked congressional candidates could change politics regardless of the presidential election outcome.
In the episode, Todd is joined by QAnon and political conspiracy theories experts, including:
- Adrienne LaFrance, Executive Editor of The Atlantic
- Darren Mulloy, Professor and Chair of Department of History, Wilfrid Laurier University
- Morgan Radford, NBC News Correspondent
- Joseph Uscinski, Associate Professor at the University of Miami, specializing in the study of conspiracy theories
- Clint Watts, Former FBI Special Agent & NBC News National Security Contributor
- Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News Investigative Tech Reporter
Meet the Press Reports, anchored by NBC News Political Director and Meet the Press Moderator Chuck Todd is available on NBC News NOW, streaming live and on demand across OTT platforms, including Peacock, NBCUniversal’s new streaming service.
The once-weekly 30-minute program focuses on a single topic explored through the Meet the Press lens and takes viewers through deep-dives on pivotal election issues, historical moments and under-reported political issues with long-form interviews, expert discussions, historical archives, and more.
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For more information, contact:
Joya Manasseh
NBC News
e: Joya.Manasseh@nbcuni.com
Claudia Meyer-Samargia
NBC News
e: Claudia.MeyerSamargia@nbcuni.com
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