Opinion | From QAnon to Diddy: The Blurred Lines of Conspiracy Theory and Reality
How the allegations against Sean Combs change the way we talk about #MeToo, rumors and powerful men.
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This week on “Matter of Opinion,” we take a break from the election and turn our attention to the allegations against Sean Combs: Where has #MeToo succeeded or fallen short? And what happens when the lines blur between rumor mill and conspiracy theory? The Opinion columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom and the Opinion writer Jessica Grose join the conversation.
Below is a lightly edited transcript of their conversation. To listen to this episode, click the play button below.
From QAnon to Diddy: The Blurred Lines of Conspiracy Theory and Reality
Listen to this episode about how the allegations against Sean Combs change the way we talk about #MeToo, rumors and powerful men.
Ross Douthat: Today we’re taking a break from presidential politics to focus on another story that’s been dominating headlines. That’s the apparent downfall of Sean Combs, or Diddy, P. Diddy or even Puff Daddy, as you may know, the wildly successful hip-hop mogul who was indicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges last week.
And the Diddy story, I think —
Michelle Cottle: Are we going to go with “Diddy”?
Douthat: We’re going with “Diddy,” Michelle.
Cottle: Good choice. Classic.
Douthat: I think it’s a story that brings together a lot of really interesting threads from American culture right now. You’ve got issues about sex and race and celebrity and the abuse of power. You’ve got the contested legacy of the #MeToo era, the influence of the online rumor mill and the blurred lines between conspiracy theory and reality. And all of that is why I, at least, am really excited to talk about this today.
