Pence dismisses QAnon after Trump embraced its followers
Appearing on CNN’s “New Day” Friday, Pence told CNN’s John Berman that he doesn’t “know anything” about the conspiracy group that’s been deemed a potential domestic terrorist threat or about the people involved.
“Honestly, John, I don’t know anything about that. I have heard about it. We dismiss conspiracy theories around here out of hand,” the vice president said.
Pressed again later, Pence said, “I called it a conspiracy theory, I said I don’t have time for it, I don’t know anything about it.”
He accused the media of chasing after “shiny objects,” overlooking the serious threat QAnon poses and diminishing the scope of its danger.
The FBI has labeled QAnon a domestic terror threat.
During a White House briefing on Wednesday, facing broader questions about the conspiracy theory, Trump praised QAnon followers for supporting him while shrugging off its outlandish conspiracies.
“I’ve heard these are people that love our country,” Trump said, adding, “So I don’t know, really, anything about it other than they do, supposedly, like me.”
QAnon’s prevailing conspiracy theories — none based in fact — claim that dozens of Satan-worshipping politicians and A-list celebrities work in tandem with governments around the globe to engage in child sex abuse. The group also peddles in conspiracies about coronavirus and mass shootings — none grounded in reality. Followers also believe there is a “deep state” effort to annihilate Trump.
Asked on Friday if he believed QAnon subscribers love America, Pence told CNN again, “I don’t know anything about that conspiracy theory.”
Pence also pushed back on whether the President’s comments were an embrace of the group.
“I heard the President talk about he appreciates those who support him,” he said.
CNN’s Betsy Klein and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
