Trump's Zealous Supporters Disperse Immediately After His Departure... "Everyone Must Return to Their Own Lives"

QAnon and Proud Boys Disbandment Movement
Insults Including "Complete Loser" Directed at Trump

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As soon as former President Donald Trump left office, his ardent supporters, who had previously led the Capitol riot, began to express disappointment and started to disband, according to U.S. media reports.

On the 20th (local time), according to NBC News, Ron Watkins, an entrepreneur considered one of the most influential figures in the conspiracy theory group 'QAnon,' which worshipped former President Trump as a savior who would save America from the so-called deep state, announced on the internet that QAnon activities would effectively cease immediately after President Joe Biden's inauguration. He posted, "A new president has been inaugurated, and the duty of citizens is to abide by the Constitution," adding, "Now let's return to our own lives."

Some radical QAnon members posted messages claiming that the apocalypse would soon come according to their conspiracy theories, but overall, NBC News reported that a strong sense of disappointment has led to a clear atmosphere of disbandment. Previously, QAnon followers warned members to buy radios and stockpile food from noon on inauguration day, claiming that former President Trump would declare martial law and a nationwide blackout would begin.

Another far-right group, the 'Proud Boys,' also showed signs of fracturing immediately after former President Trump's defeat. The New York Times (NYT) reported that in online gatherings such as on Telegram, harsh criticisms of former President Trump were pouring in, calling him a "complete loser," "con artist," and "weakling." It was also reported that instructions were issued not to attend rallies supporting former President Trump and the Republican Party.

The Proud Boys were one of the key Trump supporter organizations involved in the January 6 Capitol riot in Washington, D.C., but the atmosphere changed 180 degrees with Trump's departure from office. Supporters consider Trump's acknowledgment of defeat and vacating the White House after the Capitol riot as acts of betrayal. They are also reportedly angry that Trump did not exercise his pardon power on their behalf.

The NYT reported that criticism of former President Trump is spreading not only among the Proud Boys but also among other extremist groups such as the 'Oath Keepers' and the 'Three Percenters.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.