November 13, 2024
Washington, D.C. — Following President-elect Donald Trump’s decisive victory, a growing faction of Democratic voters, dubbed “BlueAnon,” has begun sharing conspiracy theories claiming Trump’s win was illegitimate. Echoing tactics used by far-right conspiracy groups like QAnon, BlueAnon adherents are promoting unsubstantiated theories, from vote tampering to secret alliances between Trump and high-profile allies.
The phrase “#TrumpCheated” began trending on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after Trump was declared the victor. According to Gordon Crovitz, CEO of NewsGuard, mentions of “Trump cheated” skyrocketed to over 92,000 within hours of the election’s outcome. Many of these social media posts accused Trump of manipulating the results with the help of influential supporters, including billionaire Elon Musk.
Claims of a “False Flag” Assassination Attempt
One of the central conspiracies circulating among BlueAnon believers is the claim that a recent assassination attempt on Trump was orchestrated to boost his appeal among voters. During a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman allegedly attempted to assassinate Trump, with a bullet reportedly grazing past him. In response, Trump stood up before a roaring crowd and defiantly declared, “Fight, Fight, Fight!” To his supporters, it was an inspirational moment, but to BlueAnon advocates, the incident was staged.
“Can you blame me for thinking this is fake?” tweeted one skeptic on X, expressing doubt about how Secret Service protocol was handled. Such sentiments have circulated widely on social media, with some conspiracy theorists arguing the attempt was a “false flag” event meant to galvanize Trump’s base.
Starlink Vote Manipulation Theory
Elon Musk’s growing involvement in Trump’s political orbit has also become a focal point for BlueAnon speculation. Some on the far left are suggesting that Musk used his Starlink satellite technology to covertly influence vote counts in Trump’s favor. While lacking any credible evidence, the theory has spread across social media under hashtags like #TrumpCheated and #Recount2024, with calls for a recount or investigation into the election.
“Raise your hand if you think Elon Musk’s Starlink was the ‘Little Secret’ to win or steal this election,” wrote one X user, encouraging others to share the claim.
Calls for Unity Amidst Conspiracies
As the online narratives intensify, some Democratic leaders are urging supporters to move beyond conspiracy theories and accept the election results. In a recent speech, President Joe Biden called on Americans to “see each other not as adversaries, but as fellow Americans,” adding, “You can’t love your country only when you win.”
Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) has also spoken out against the conspiracies, particularly those suggesting that Vice President Kamala Harris lost because of her stance on Israel. “The evidence is clear; the two most potent issues against the Democratic nominee were inflation and immigration,” Torres stated, dismissing the conspiracy theories as baseless.
QAnon and BlueAnon: A Cycle of Election Denial
Election officials have stated repeatedly that there is no evidence of fraud or tampering in this year’s election, similar to their findings after the 2020 election. Nevertheless, the persistence of both QAnon and BlueAnon conspiracies highlights the ongoing trend of skepticism toward election integrity in the digital age. For some, regardless of political affiliation, it appears that deeply held beliefs and distrust in the electoral system continue to fuel theories that flourish in the corners of the internet.
“PRESIDENT BIDEN. The urge to ‘show that Democrats are above conspiracy stuff’ may be EXACTLY the anticipated move you’ve been SET UP for,” another BlueAnon supporter tweeted, calling for a recount. As both sides grapple with the outcome, calls for transparency and unity are being weighed against continued polarization and misinformation.
Sources:
- NewsGuard – Data on “Trump Cheated” trends on X
- Fox News – Reports on assassination attempt and Secret Service protocol
- Wired – Interview with Gordon Crovitz on BlueAnon and conspiracy trends
- AP News – Statements from election officials on voting integrity
