Trust the Plan

The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Unhinged America

By: Will Sommer

Narrated by: Joe Knezevich

""A story so bizarre, only Will Sommer could report it.” —Molly Jong-Fast

The definitive book on QAnon from the reporter knows them 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 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. “QAnon” used to sound vaguely familiar, somewhat ominous, but not quite mainstream. But what was once a fringe conspiracy theory has now become a household name and 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, 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. 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.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Insightful

Great piece dissecting the madness. Good style and incredibly direct. No frills just dense and accessible information

makes you think

a wake call to how conspiracy theories are all not new and not going away

Love it!

I love Will’s podcast Fever Dreams, and I’ve been waiting for this book to come out for a while. It did not disappoint. I thought I knew all there was to know about the Q cult, but there are a ton shocking and crazy revelations in these pages that frankly blew my mind. I don’t think I’ve experienced this many deep, frustrated sighs in a long time. Every 10 minutes I let out a “what!! Oh my god! What?” Great read, or in this case listen. Highly recommended. Narrator was fantastic as well.

The most comprehensive to date

I don’t believe we’ve heard the last of Qanon and this book is a must read for anyone aware of its real presence, a wise one for anyone who isn’t. Well researched, first hand accounts and insights brings this strange American online cult into the light, in an easy, fascinating read.

Well written, well researched. Great book

Very detailed info that I have to imagine was very hard to find. Definitely worth a read