Q is an anonymous figure who started posting secretive messages on 4chan in 2017 claiming to have high-level government clearance.

In late 2017, a user named 'Q' appeared on 4chan, an internet message board, posting cryptic messages that suggested inside knowledge of U.S. government secrets. The name 'Q' refers to a real high-level security clearance in the U.S. Department of Energy, which gave the posts an air of credibility to some followers. These posts became the foundation of the QAnon conspiracy theory, which claims that a secret battle is underway to expose corrupt officials.