“Punchy and well-reported….Sommer is the perfect person to tell this story." —New York Times
"A story so bizarre, only Will Sommer could report it.” —Molly Jong-Fast
The definitive book on the QAnon conspiracy from the reporter who knows it best; Will Sommer explains what it is, how it has gained a mainstream following among Republican lawmakers and ordinary citizens, the threat it poses to our democracy, and how we can reach those who have embraced the conspiracy and are disseminating its lies.
The Storm is Coming. Trust the Plan. WWG1WGA. You've seen the letter Q on TV and in the news – it's been everywhere from Trump rallies to the January 6th insurrection. This gripping work of investigative journalism explores how what was once a fringe conspiracy theory became a household name with its symbols recognizable around the world. How did this happen, who is actually involved, what do they believe, and what do they want?
Daily Beast reporter Will Sommer has been on the ground with Q's followers since day one, and in Trust the Plan Sommer has written the definitive book on the movement—who started it and who grew it, what they really believe is going on, and what they want to see "the Storm" accomplish on the day of its reckoning. At once a character study and a journalistic exposé on modern American politics, Sommer lets his cast of characters do the talking as he visits them around the world, from their makeshift compounds to the rallies they are still holding.
The great tragedy of this story is ultimately the legitimization of this ideology by mainstream politicians eager to gain access to a large and growing cohort of voters, a stunning example of modern political polarization. Though 2020 brought the end of Trump's presidency, his following within the QAnon community has simply pivoted and grown stronger. Trust the Plan shows us in granular detail who we'll be up against for years to come, in the US and abroad. Understanding why and how something like Q happens is an indispensable exercise, and in showing us how we got here we can chart a path out.
Based on years of on-the-ground reporting, Trust the Plan answers the vital questions about this dangerous movement:
- The Origins of QAnon: Follow the story from the anonymous message boards of 4chan to a global phenomenon, uncovering who started the conspiracy and how it grew.
- From Fringe to Mainstream: Discover how this conspiracy theory was amplified by social media and legitimized by politicians, moving from the internet's dark corners into the halls of power.
- The Trump Connection: Go inside the Trump rallies to understand the former president's symbiotic relationship with his most fervent, and most dangerous, followers.
- January 6 and Domestic Extremism: Witness the culmination of years of radicalization, as Sommer reports from the ground during the Capitol insurrection and analyzes the ongoing threat.
- A Path Out: Beyond the exposé, find a clear-eyed analysis of how to counter the tsunami of disinformation and reach those lost to the conspiracy.