Looks like "Q" himself of QAnon might have just got arrested

[ck4829]

In the bizarre world of QAnon conspiracy theorists, 29-year-old Austin Steinbart was a rising star. A segment of the pro-Trump conspiracy theory group believed he was the mysterious “Q,” the anonymous internet figure whose clues have convinced a portion of the president’s base that Donald Trump is engaged in a shadowy war against pedophile-cannibals in the Democratic Party.

Steinbart—dubbed “Baby Q” by his fans—claimed he could get away with anything because he was a super-spy for Trump. In online arguments, Steinbart insisted he should have been arrested “100 times over” for his actions. And the fact that he hadn’t been arrested for, say, threatening to kill the Queen of Denmark was proof that Trump had given him immunity from prosecution.

A few days later, FBI agents arrested him.

Steinbart now faces an extortion charge over his online antics, all apparently committed in an attempt to convince gullible online conspiracy theorists that he’s an all-powerful intelligence agent. As part of his attempts at self-promotion, Steinbart allegedly posted the confidential brain scans and medical files of former professional football players online—images he was able to obtain while allegedly getting a scan of his own.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/baby-qanon-was-just-arrested

He's no government agent with Q-level clearance, he's a punk conspiracy theorist... that sounds like Q.

[superpatriotman]

1. Mental defect

Clout chaser:

When FBI agents met him at his Chandler, Arizona house on March 19, according to the FBI, Steinbart allegedly answered the door carrying a Desert Eagle handgun and said he had to deal with a “lot of psychos.”

[Mike 03]

2. Chandler, AZ

That's too close for comfort.

Online, Steinbart had amassed nearly 20,000 Twitter followers and 23,000 YouTube subscribers, even as he infuriated more established QAnon hucksters with his brash attitude. In rambling YouTube videos, Steinbart claimed that he was “Q,” was somehow in communication with a time-traveling version of himself, and would soon be appointed to run Trump’s Space Force — a nonsensical narrative that nevertheless won him the devotion of a number of QAnon believers.

[underpants]

18. Whoo

That’s a winner right there

[lagomorph777]

24. Oh, wow, so he IS the Star Trek guy.

[klook]

32. Oh man, who's gonna head up Space Force now? (nt)

[coeur_de_lion]

3. I lost a friend to that lunatic group

Glad they arrested the idiot.

[marble falls]

23. My youngest brother who's cut off connection to most of the family including our dad ...

I'm the only one he still in communication with. On Sunday he told me that Covid19 is a sham, that more people die of flu every year.

He's civil with me, but totally refuses to believe the mainstream press.

[coeur_de_lion]

30. You are braver than I am

I would have cut him off without another word.

[marble falls]

31. He ain't heavy, he's my brother.

[coeur_de_lion]

34. He would not be mine for long

I'll pray that he finds reality. I wonder what God I would be praying to for a reality vision.

[marble falls]

39. Whichever one that works for you. We all make it through the day in different ways. Stay safe!

[OnlinePoker]

57. Technically, it's true.

Last year, 61,200 died of the flu. But this was in a total case load of 42.9 million total people who got sick and over 600,000 who were hospitalized. Deaths to cases had a fatality rate of 0.14%. In the case of COVID, however, there have been 16,548 deaths so far from 465,689 (one source), a fatality rate of 3.6%. What your brother doesn't seem to understand is there have been less people infected with COVID so the total deaths have been less. Given my fatality rates, would he be willing to see 1.6 million more Americans dying than would normally do so without COVID?

[marble falls]

61. He flat out refuses to consider nuance. Its all about the totals and how stupid everyone else is ...

though he does speak in moderate tones to me.

[Mike 03]

4. It won't matter to the QAnon followers that Steinbart was arrested.

The Q predictions never come to fruition, so they just keep building ever-more convoluted storylines into the "conspiracy" to explain why the predictions didn't come true.

Steinbart, who according to the article can still use the internet, will probably say this was a "fake arrest" to secure his safety for some upcoming secret operation nobody can know about yet, but will soon become obvious to everyone...

[Tweedy]

8. It is a cult

and since projection is the GOP's best descriptor these days, it is horrifying.

This president, buddy of pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, is violating the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act to deport unaccompanied minors wherever the heck he wants. This move makes trafficking these children much easier.

https://www.wola.org/analysis/trump-covid19-response-at-border/

Thank goodness, this reality t.v. president has not yet pushed solyant green as a cure for the coronavirus. Perhaps we should not give him any ideas?

[SergeStorms]

53. A cult, within a cult, within a cult.

The cult of Trump, the QAnon cult believers, and the batshit crazy Steinbart QAnon cult believers.

[NewJeffCT]

10. Yep - I remember how Clinton, Obama and all the Never Trumpers

were supposed to be rounded up and arrested in December of 2017, or was it December of 2018? But, it never happened and it kept getting pushed back and back and back

[oldsoftie]

67. Thats right! Remember "If I'm president, you'll be in jail". Well big boy, what happened?

WHERE are the charges? You promised your followers that hillary would PAY if you were elected!
If you ever thought she was worried, she went on a book tour.

[rampartc]

5. i just posted that beast link on another site frequented by q freaks

we shall see how they will take this

a. "that is not the real q." or

b. the arrest is a "deep state" plot

[JDC]

6. Sounds like his resume qualifies him for a White House role

Only the best

[Newest Reality]

7. Good!

You know, there are sites, (like 4chan, 8chan, etc.) that actually create conspiracies as a hobby or vocation. They spend a lot of time trying to make their fictions seem plausible and they know that there are scores of very gullible people out there who will easily believe something that, "Sounds rawt ta' me!" It's almost a sport.

Also, I think this started a good while back with attempts to make memes that would go viral, as well, and many of us have actually seen them here and there. It worked.

The thing is, when it goes to far and they are successful at it, it can also get very dangerous and destructive, which may also provide a thrill or rush for those pranksters. If people don't fact check their information, then they can become easy marks for this.

Combine that with the fact that, today, thanks to the easy propagation on the Net, the conspiracy theories ARE the conspiracy and Russia, China, and other countries go to great lengths to exploit that and they have agendas behind the effort. It seems to be working well and that's rather concerning for all of us.

Edited to add: Now, the Q bust would be a a good topic to ask The Trump Thing about at a presser.

[dustyscamp]

9. Many Qanon people on social media are saying he is not the real Q. Just a Larper

If he was all of them would be losing their shit instead of just a handful.

[ck4829]

12. Apparently, he is a divisive figure. Anyone could be Q. He was the first one to say he is though

He did have a following too...

Two days later, on March 21, Steinbart posted a YouTube video urging his followers in the “Q-Army” to harass employees of Datto, a tech company that had taken down some of his files on copyright grounds.

Datto was quickly deluged with bogus support requests on its customer service line from Steinbart’s fans, according to the FBI. In an effort to save its “overwhelmed” systems, Datto spent nearly $11,000 on new customer service lines. Some of Steinbart’s devotees would take up to ten minutes of a customer service’s reps time posing as a legitimate customer, before demanding the company restore Steinbart’s files.

Steinbart allegedly kept up the pressure himself, sending Datto’s CEO threatening messages on Twitter.

“I am running a military intelligence operation for the Defense Intelligence Agency called Operation QAnon,” Steinbart wrote in direct messages, according to the FBI. "There is a VERY good chance I will send some PSYCHOS to come see you in person!"

If he's not the real Q, then the real one should stand up and say who they are.

[dustyscamp]

14. If we manage to beat Trump and the Cons this November

I hope the real Q guy gets found out and is forced to answer for all that he has done.

[flibbitygiblets]

17. Now I had to go look up "larper", and surprise, it's uber-dorky.

Larper. n a type of role-playing game in which each participant assumes a particular character and acts out various scenarios at events which last for a...

...yeah, I stopped reading there

[ck4829]

29. It's funny they call this Q a larper and yet that is all they do

There's no real spycraft in the QAnon movement... they just say celebrities and Democrats are all a cabal of Je-Globalist Satanic Cannibals and that the "storm" of mass arrests for this cabal is gonna happen any day now (4 years running) and the qultists believe it.

Where are the dead drops?

Where's the invisible ink?

Where are the sting operations?

Where are the canary traps?

Where are the exposed notes from Supreme Leader George Soros (Or is it Ilhan Omar now?) detailing the ancient conspiracy recovered using concealed recording devices and hollowed-out books?

[The Magistrate]

48. On The Fence Before Our Home, Sir

There were for several weeks, to be found resting atop it, one or two pink children's shoes, and for a while, a set of keys marked Smith & Wesson. Being at the time recently immersed in le Carre's Smiley saga, I wondered just what was being communicated....

[ck4829]

55. The water is clear from where I see it, the red fox only hunts at night

[The Magistrate]

56. Sin Novedad

Repeat, Sin Novedad.

[OMGWTF]

35. I had to look it up too -- Live Action Role Play LARP

I learned something today!

[calimary]

37. Imposters! LARP stands for Los Angeles Radio People!

So THERE!

[DesertRat]

11. Sounds like a candidate for a WH pardon

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

21. That was my thought

[calimary]

38. Or a White House job.

[3Hotdogs]

64. He could be the new Sec. of Navy. Sumpthin happened to the last one

[HuskyOffset]

13. Look,

While I can't say for sure if this individual is Q (I'm pretty sure he isn't), I can tell you for a fact: I'm H.

Other letters of the alphabet are available, grab one up while you can, people!

[ck4829]

15. Hey H. I believe it. He was going to slip up sooner or later.

There's no way he's some top level spy. But even if he was, he still would have made a mistake and revealed himself eventually. Also I think he first said he was Q when 8chan was temporarily shut down after the Christchurch massacre, makes all the more sense to me.

We should just say: Until the real Q steps up and unmasks themselves, we should assume the person who said they are Q is Q... this guy.

[marble falls]

27. I'm M-Falls. Accept no substitutes.

[3Hotdogs]

65. I claim "JC?" I know, its 2 letters and not just one. I'll explain.

My first birth was 2,000 years ago. It was in a little town in the middle east.

I was reborn in 1988 in the town of Lynchburg, Va. I chose to be born there because it was the home of one of the holiest people on Earth. He died and his son took over the work of spreading my message about don't do buggery. Even runs a university, now.

Well, I'm not s'posed to talk about this stuff now but I will let you in on a secret. The guy in the White House that some people don't like..

I put him there.

Anyway, JC is my real initials and that's why I need two letters.

[Nitram]

16. In edition to bring a punk conspiracy theorist, Steinbart is shameless attention hog.

[keithbvadu2]

19. Many of them thought that JFK Jr was Qanon.

Many of them thought that JFK Jr was Qanon.

https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=S26PXt3vM72tytMPypqF0A4&q=qanon+kennedy&oq=qanon+kennedy&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzoCCAA6BQgAEIMBSiYIFxIiMGcyNDJnMTE5ZzgzZzU5ZzY1ZzYwZzYyZzEzOWc2M2c1MkoZCBgSFTBnMWcxZzFnMWcxZzFnMWcxZzFnNFDeH1jiO2DdRWgAcAB4AIABigGIAcoGkgEEMTIuMZgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXo&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwidwfOlgdzoAhW9lnIEHUpNAeoQ4dUDCAg&uact=5

[Drunken Irishman]

52. They still do and think the recent Kennedy tragedy is tied to that.

They believe Maeve is in hiding, being shielded by Qnon and Trump.

[UTUSN]

20. K&R

[lagomorph777]

22. So is he the same guy from Star Trek: Next Generation?

I've always wondered.

[ck4829]

25. If only...

[Ziggysmom]

26. Steinbart sounds delusional, similar to schizophrenia

I used to be an adjudicator for Social Security disability claims, and I’ve interviewed many schizophrenics. He fits the bill!

[marble falls]

28. I did intitial interviews at a psychiatric inpatient facility ...

I'd have bumped him over to a psychologist.

[ck4829]

33. So... Q

[Locrian]

36. agree

These guys (and they are mostly guys) seem to be mentally defective but really act more like a parasite or virus.

They constantly push it to see how far they can get their conspiracies to travel / propagate.
It's all that matters to them is seeing their name in lights - they'll make *anything* up that works and finds a host.
It's all just mentally wacking off into to social networks and trying to see what sort of sickness it births.

[TheBlackAdder]

40. Q-Prime will step in to pretend he's Q. (I am Sparticus!)

[Celerity]

41. he got around a bit

he seems to be quite hated by many of the other RWNJ Q stooges

[ck4829]

42. Yes, hated because he came out as "Q" before any of them did

[Celerity]

45. you know you are batshit cray when even Alex Jones says QAnon is 100% fake and its followers nuts

[ck4829]

46. You know it

[oldsoftie]

68. He did?? I didnt know that. I would've bet Jones was full on board with this.

Unless he's pissed that THIS guy is stealing HIS sheep

[Snarkoleptic]

43. Alright, which one of you is trolling the mouth-breathers over at freeperland?

"WE KNOW they eat babies and adults; I don't want to see it but if I did, I could focus on the CCTV footage from Epstein island, wherein the cabal members sit naked on buckets...feeding."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3833445/posts


'cuz they can't really be this insane...right?

[ck4829]

47. Hmm, I looked through those "q-drops" and now I'm nearly 100% confident he's "Q"

What a bunch of mind-jobs.

[Snarkoleptic]

49. They're absolutely convinced they have frontline info about impending social upheaval.

When leaving downtown Chicago, I'll often see a loon on a NW-side overpass with Q-type signage written on x-Large pieces of cardboard.
She's rather animated, so may be a meth gobbler as well.

[GulfCoast66]

60. They are nuts...

Everyone knows we sit on Milk Crates and listen to Soros instructions.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

44. Sounds like he's destined to become the next Republican President of the United States

The qualifications are all there

[SergeStorms]

50. "pedophile-cannibals in the Democratic Party."

Just let that sink in for a minute or two.

Now, think about the people on the right who actually believe horse shit like this.

Now, do any of you believe we can co-exist with fucking dullards of this caliber? At the risk of sounding somewhat Hitler-ish, people like this should not be allowed to breed.

[Shipwack]

51. Well you may not know it but this man's a spy,

He's an undercover agent for the FBI
And he's been sent down here to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan...

- Charlie Daniels "Uneasy Rider"

[AllaN01Bear]

54. tRump will pardon him and put him on his staff, if he crosses tRump, fired .

[Ruby the Liberal]

58. Extortion?

Seems they may be able to tack on a few more charges to this. Dollars to donuts this dude has been dancing on some serious tax fraud.

[Lock him up.]

59. Mental disorders: A extremely damaging pandemic.

[Aussie105]

62. There is no 'Q'.

He is an imaginary figure head created by, and for, some strange thinking people to gather under, share their ideas and give each other some legitimacy and courage to voice their thinking.

Seeking power and influence under a fictitious banner and Head Honcho. Don't be duped there is anything else there.

[Beartracks]

63. Wait - A self-promoting con artist feels a kinship with Trump??

How bizarre.



<-- if needed

===============

[TlalocW]

66. Kind of disappointed it wasn't Jacob Wohl

That would have been a nice bookend.

TlalocW

[Sunlei]

69. These jerks can't help online trash talking themselves into actual charges.

On the positive side (hey Trump!) everything you say and do online can be used against you.