In a twist to the already head-spinning saga of the online QAnon conspiracy theory, BuzzFeed News published a report on August 6 pointing to the possibility that the theory, pushed mainly by older, right-wing Internet users, could be the result of a prank.

QAnon is a complex conspiracy theory propagated by far-right Internet users on sites like Reddit, 4chan, and 8chan that rivals the likes of 2016’s absurd “Pizzagate” conspiracy.

As reported in comprehensive analyses by The Daily Beast and BuzzFeed News, the basic gist of QAnon is that Robert Mueller is in fact not investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, but instead the Clintons’ and former president Barack Obama’s involvement in a deep-state child-sex ring. In fact, according to the theory’s followers, known as “anons,” President Donald Trump is working alongside Mueller on the investigation to bring the alleged predators to justice.

The theory was born from a 4chan post, later posted to Reddit, written by the anonymous ("anon") author Q. "Q" refers to a type of top-secret national security clearance, which the author supposedly has.

The rogue Q posts vague clues, known as “breadcrumbs,” that further the narrative of the theory online, which anons pick apart and analyze in extensive posts and hours of livestreams posted online. At this point, according to The Washington Post, anons are pushing theories that Democrats rigged the election, created Hurricane Katrina, killed Princess Diana, have hidden UFOs — the list goes on.

What makes QAnon different from other right-wing conspiracy theories, University of Miami professor Joseph Uscinski told The Daily Beast, is that it was born at a time when Republicans are already in control.

“Normally you don’t expect the winning party to use them, except when they’re in trouble,” Uscinski said.

In a new twist, BuzzFeed News published a look into whether the theory was actually invented in an attempt to trick right-wing, conspiracy-theory-pushing Internet users, particularly of the baby boomer generation.

In screenshots of forums published in BuzzFeed’s piece, one user writes, “Q is just a huge prank on boomers.” Another wrote, “look how many normies and boomers got sucked into our lulz chaos. Good job anons, looking forward to our next big prank.”

Some believe the QAnon conspiracy theory was invented by leftists or anarchists as a way of proving the alt-right’s gullibility, or, as BuzzFeed reported, “to make the far right look deranged.” In fact, BuzzFeed noted, there are similarities between the theory and the plot of the Italian novel Q (yes, really).

Q (the novel, not the possible prank) is thought by many to be a manifesto for activists looking to disrupt society. Its authors told BuzzFeed, "We often described it as 'playbook,' an 'operations manual' for cultural disruption.”

Elaborate "gotcha" or not, there are people who truly believe the QAnon theory. And it’s having real-world consequences beyond computer screens.

In June, a group of anons came upon a homeless camp in Tucson and insisted to local law enforcement that it had been used for the government's child-sex ring, as NBC News reported. After investigating, law enforcement found no evidence of such claims, according to NBC News. Also in June, an armed anon held a 90-minute standoff with authorities after driving a "homemade" armored van onto a bridge and demanding the Justice Department “release the OIG report” exposing the deep state, according to BuzzFeed News.

Anons have begun showing up at President Trump’s rallies, leading to media giving them attention and a platform. A Google News search for “QAnon conspiracy theory” reveals over 1 million results, with outlets like The Washington Post and NPR publishing recent stories on the group.

In the self-aware final paragraph of BuzzFeed’s report, reporter Ryan Broderick noted that even media coverage of QAnon could be twisted into the group’s elaborate narrative. Perhaps this story will be, too.

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Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: Why People Believe Conspiracy Theories