Mike Pence Backs Out of Antisemitic QAnon Fundraiser at the Last Minute

Mike Pence was set to attend a fundraiser for the Trump campaign hosted by Montana donors, Caryn and Michael Borland, who have promoted antisemitic QAnon conspiracy theories on social media.

Pence was to attend the fundraiser along with Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Rep. Greg Gianforte (R-MT) but backed out following multiple news stories about the Borlands’ affiliation with QAnon. Despite the change in Pence’s plans, the Trump administration and the Republican Party have not distanced themselves from QAnon. Trump himself embraced QAnon in August of 2020, calling believers of the conspiracy theory “people who love our country.”

QAnon is a set of antisemitic conspiracy theories about a powerful “Deep State” comprised of Democratic politicians, Jewish donors, and Hollywood stars who Q believers think run a child sex-trafficking ring. QAnon believes claim that Donald Trump is aware of this cabal, and is secretly working to destroy the “Deep State” and “Save the Children” being trafficked. The conspiracy is, at its core, a modern-day version of blood libel — the Middle Ages-era claim that Jews drank or ritually used the blood of Christian children.

QAnon has moved from the fringes of the internet to the mainstream, openly promoted by multiple Republican figures. Adherence to at least some QAnon beliefs is now widespread within the Republican Party. Republican congressional candidates like Laura Loomer in Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia are backers, as is Jo Rae Perkins in Oregon, and Lauren Boebert in Colorado. See here for a full roundup of QAnon candidates compiled by Media Matters.