"John John and…Trump are cousins. And Trump's uncle is JFK Sr., and Joe Kennedy, who is also not dead," the man proclaims in the recording. His listener, a heartbroken mother named Colleen Protzman, knows he wholeheartedly believes this. The speaker is her son, Michael Protzman.
Protzman had become a prime figure of a QAnon faction clinging to the peculiar notion that John F. Kennedy Jr., who perished in a 1999 plane crash, was secretly cooperating with former President Donald Trump to purge the United States of an evil cabal. This outlandish theory might seem restricted to obscure online echo chambers.
However, everything altered on November 2, 2021. Hundreds of devotees congregated at the notorious grassy knoll in Dallas’ Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was killed in 1963. Instead of commemorating the demise of the 35th President, they anticipated the Kennedys’ resurgence.
A faithful follower eagerly disclosed to a local news crew, “Word on the street is Junior — JFK Jr —will show up and introduce his parents.” When asked about expectations of this event, he confidently spoke about JFK Jr.’s prospective political alliance with Trump.
The much anticipated Kennedy appearance did not happen, leaving some followers disheartened. Amazingly, others hung around for months, hoping to witness the return of the Kennedys. Intriguingly, the Kennedy family, erstwhile Democratic Party emblem, morphed into idols within a movement that idolized Trump. This unusual concoction of American myths positions the Kennedys and Trump as descendants of Jesus Christ, pitched against malevolent forces.
The allure was strong enough to disrupt many lives, inspiring people to abandon their families and jobs. However, to reduce this broad commitment to this offbeat narrative as a collective delusion of “QAnon crazies” is to overlook the repercussions of fringe conspiracy theories on American families and American democracy. An ideological landscape that thrives on anger, disillusionment, and solitude are common factors, exacerbated by opportunists exploiting the community-building power of social media for political and financial gain.
Protzman paid a heavy price for his immersion in this alternate reality. Depending on the perspective, Protzman was either a casualty whose beliefs were warped beyond repair or a deceitful opportunist who duped followers into a QAnon-style prophecy and distanced them from their families.
The narrative of Michael Brian Protzman developed into a tragic tale well before an accident caused his death at a motocross track in Minnesota. Intriguingly, Michael’s mother Colleen saw a connection between her son's growing internet dependency and his increased isolation. In his quest for familial agreement for his beliefs, Michael estranged his kin. His peddling of precarious theories cost him his family, his home, and his demolition business.
This peculiar fascination with the Kennedys stems from a hushed QAnon mythology offshoot. Much like in the past, QAnon followers believe in the suggestions of JFK Jr. secretly working with Trump to save America. These unfounded claims suggest JFK Jr. re-emerging as the vice president in Trump’s administration.
The heart-rending tale of Protzman surviving in this suffocating reality isn't exclusive. It serves as a glaring reflection of a broader issue distressing potentially millions of American families. The aftermath of conspiracy theories consuming a loved one's life in the shackles of delusions is a bitter reminder.
These fabricated alternate realities are unraveling family bonds, leading to violent extremist actions such as the US Capitol attack, and pushing individuals to accept hateful ideologies. Disturbingly, the spread of conspiracy theories in today’s America is not only a political and mental health problem but also demands attention as a rampant public health crisis.
“What is at stake goes beyond mere family conflicts,” warns Diane Benscoter, a former Unification Church member who now assists victims of disinformation and cults. In her view, we are teetering on the brink of societal chaos, which could eventually erode democracy.
