It seems ludicrous to think that President Trump is set to imminently declare martial law, so as to arrest and execute tens of thousands of people – ranging from Hillary Clinton to Tom Hanks – on charges involving a mix of murder, pedophilia, and Satanism.

But that is just one of the beliefs of the followers of internet pseudo-prophet Q, or “QAnon,” who leaped into the mainstream at Mr. Trump’s rally Tuesday in Tampa Bay, Fla.

Q, who claims to be a government insider, offers up alleged secrets to his followers on internet forums like 4chan and 8chan. Though Q’s information tends to be vague, “followers of Q” say it reveals an ongoing battle between good and evil, with Trump leading the former and a deep state/Hollywood liberal alliance embodying the latter. The conspiracy theory is complex and sprawling, and fed by followers’ own social media contributions to the mythos.

It could also be dangerous. As QAnon-watcher Mike Rothschild notes, Q promised July 2018 would be “the month the world discovered the truth” – a promise that appears unfulfilled. The resulting disillusionment could lead to “pizzagate”-like incidents, in which followers try to harm the conspiracy’s “villains” by themselves.

But perhaps the weight of truth is what’s needed to break Q’s followers from their conspiratorial dreams.

Now to our five stories for today.