The Rise & Fall Of Micheal Protzman: The Man Behind The “Negative 48” QAnon Cult
How one man used conspiracy theories and apocalyptic beliefs to build a devoted QAnon cult following, leading to tragedy.
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In recent years, the QAnon movement has attracted significant attention for its conspiracy theories and radical ideas. One notorious example is the numerology-fueled offshoot group known as Negative 48. This group, led by Michael Brian Protzman, managed to lure a large and fervent following to Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas (the place where JFK was assassinated) with promises of the return of JFK and JFK Jr. Through numerology and outlandish prophecies, Protzman convinced his followers that they were on the verge of witnessing monumental events.
In this post, I’ll dive into the bizarre world of Negative 48, exploring how Protzman used conspiracy theories, cult tactics, and numerology to capture the imaginations — and the lives — of his followers. We’ll examine his rise to prominence, the unusual methods he used to communicate with his audience, and the lasting impact of his cult on those who were swept up in it.
The Emergence of the Negative 48 Cult
The Negative 48 cult was the brainchild of Michael Brian Protzman, a man who wasn’t on the radar of many extremism researchers before the events that unfolded in Dallas in late 2021. Protzman, previously running a demolition company, found himself in the spotlight when he gathered his followers in Dallas, at Dealey Plaza, the site of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. The goal of this gathering? To witness the return of JFK and his son, JFK Jr., who his followers believed faked their deaths and were poised to return to public life.
On November 2, 2021, Protzman and his followers waited at Dealey Plaza for hours, anticipating this miraculous resurrection. Many had been camping out for days in anticipation of this supposed event. They believed that JFK and his son, who have been dead for decades, would reemerge and reclaim leadership roles in American society. In the days that followed, many of Protzman’s followers remained in the Dallas area, camping out in hotels and Airbnbs, hoping for the promised revelation.
A Leader Emerges: Michael Brian Protzman
Before becoming an influential figure in the QAnon world, Protzman lived a relatively quiet life in Federal Way, Washington. He ran a demolition company called Eclipse Demolition for over a decade, but his personal and professional life began to unravel. Court records show that his wife accused him of domestic violence, and the couple eventually filed for divorce. Additionally, Protzman faced financial difficulties, owing nearly $40,000 to his homeowners’ association. Despite these struggles, Protzman successfully built an online following that hung on to his every word.
Protzman was best known for his use of gematria, a numerological system in which letters are assigned numerical values. Through this lens, he claimed to divine hidden meanings in language and prophecy, often drawing connections between random words and numbers to predict events. His followers, captivated by his predictions, believe that he had tapped into a divine truth.
The Power of Gematria
Gematria has been used for thousands of years, particularly in Jewish mysticism, as a way to uncover hidden meanings in religious texts. Protzman, however, had taken this ancient practice and given it a modern twist. Instead of using traditional Hebrew gematria, he employed what’s known as “Simple English Gematria,” where each letter corresponds to a numerical value (A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, and so on).
This form of numerology was central to Protzman’s identity. In fact, his alias, Negative 48, came from a gematria calculation. By assigning numerical values to the letters in the word evil (E = 5, V = 22, I = 9, and L = 12), he arrived at the sum of 48. Because he claimed to be the opposite of evil, he called himself Negative 48. This convoluted logic became a cornerstone of his teachings and resonated deeply with his followers, who believed that numbers held the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe.
From Demolition Expert to Cult Leader
Despite his personal failings and turbulent life, Protzman successfully positioned himself as a prophet of sorts within the QAnon movement. His ability to weave together numerology and conspiracy theories made him a standout figure in the post-QAnon landscape. Back in March 2021, his Negative 48 Telegram channel had only around 1,700 members. By December 2021, it had grown to nearly 100,000 members, a testament to the appeal of his unique blend of mysticism and conspiracy.
What made Protzman’s cult so concerning was not just its size, but the level of devotion it had inspired. His followers genuinely believed that he communicated with higher powers and that he held the key to unraveling the mysteries of the QAnon movement. Some had even gone as far as to claim that Protzman was JFK Jr. himself, adding another layer of absurdity to an already outlandish belief system. Protzman, however, didn’t shy away from these comparisons. In fact, he seemed to embrace the idea, positioning himself as a divine communicator who spoke in codes that only the enlightened could understand.
Protzman’s Methods: Freestyle Gematria and Divine Codes
One of Protzman’s most effective tools for maintaining control over his followers was his use of freestyle gematria. Unlike traditional gematria, where the numerical value of words is calculated after careful thought, Protzman often improvised his calculations on the fly. He weaved numbers into his speeches, drawing connections between unrelated words and using them to support his prophecies. For his followers, this reinforced the idea that Protzman was a conduit for divine knowledge, capable of discerning hidden truths through seemingly random associations.
In one of his many speeches, Protzman claimed that he communicated directly with Donald Trump through these coded messages. According to him, Trump knew the significance of his statements, and they exchanged coded messages through public pronouncements. This was an elaborate game of numerological telephone that only Protzman and his followers seemed to understand.
Despite how outlandish this may seem, Protzman’s followers took his words seriously. They believe that these coded messages were part of a larger divine plan, one that will ultimately lead to the return of JFK Jr. and the fall of the “deep state” that QAnon followers so fervently believed in.
The Bizarre Loyalty to Negative 48
The loyalty of Protzman’s followers was nothing short of remarkable. Despite the increasingly unhinged nature of his claims, they continued to view him as a messianic figure. His teachings prompted many of them to make drastic changes in their lives, with some even emptying their bank accounts to support the cult. Protzman amassed a dedicated following who was willing to sacrifice their livelihoods for his cause.
Even more disturbingly, some followers had gone so far as to claim that Protzman spoke for God, elevating him to a divine status. This extreme level of devotion made it difficult for loved ones of followers to intervene, as those who had fallen under Protzman’s spell were often too far gone to be reasoned with.
An Uncertain Future for Negative 48
As Protzman’s following grew, the question remained: what’s next for the Negative 48 cult? The group had attracted significant media attention, and their public gatherings in Dallas had become a national spectacle. While many outside observers dismissed the group as a fringe conspiracy, the level of devotion Protzman had inspired suggested that the movement would not fade away easily.
The cult’s belief in the imminent return of JFK and JFK Jr. had become central to their identity, and many followers continued to hold out hope that this prophecy would be fulfilled. For now, the group remained a curious — and concerning — offshoot of the broader QAnon conspiracy, with Protzman at the helm, guiding his followers through a maze of numbers, prophecies, and divine codes.
The Cult of Dead Celebrities: Protzman’s Delusional Doctrine
As the Negative 48 cult, led by Michael Brian Protzman, continued to grow in size and influence, a bizarre new pattern emerged: a complete denial of death, especially for celebrities. Protzman repeatedly claimed that many dead public figures — JFK Jr., JFK Sr., Elvis, Aaliyah, Prince, and even Kobe Bryant — were actually alive and had simply staged their deaths. This belief went far beyond typical conspiracy theory and entered a delusional realm, where even tragedies, like the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter, were dismissed as elaborate hoaxes.
Protzman convinced his followers that famous people cannot die if they are important enough. According to him, these celebrities had merely gone into hiding, waiting for the right moment to reemerge and reclaim their rightful place in the world. For many of his followers, the resurrection of these dead figures proved that their beliefs were correct, and their loyalty to Protzman grew stronger with each new denial of reality.
The Illusive Ball and the Confusion of the Inauguration
One of the most perplexing promises Protzman made to his followers was that they would attend a mysterious “ball” or inauguration. Though Protzman’s followers had donated money for suits and dresses to attend this event, there was no clarity about when, where, or why this ball would take place. The announcement that followers would need to prepare formal attire for this ill-defined event only deepened the devotion of his followers, who trusted that Protzman’s vague proclamations would lead them to some grand revelation.
Protzman’s followers were so dedicated to his teachings that they started fundraising on social media platforms like Vimeo to ensure they were properly attired for this supposed ball. The confusion around the event — its timing, location, and purpose — seemed to mirror the general sense of disorientation within the cult. Yet, despite the lack of concrete information, they clung to Protzman’s words, trusting that he would guide them to the promised event.
Absurd Conspiracies and the Power of Loyalty
Beyond his denial of celebrity deaths and strange proclamations about balls and inaugurations, Protzman’s rhetoric included a wide range of absurd conspiracy theories. For instance, he once claimed that Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash didn’t happen because “it wasn’t even a helicopter,” dismissing the tragedy as a staged event orchestrated by secret powers. Despite the outlandishness of such claims, Protzman’s followers seem unfazed and continue to show unwavering loyalty.
A frequent feature of Protzman’s messaging was his reliance on numerology and the symbolic importance of certain numbers. For example, he interpreted the burial of Kobe Bryant in Corona, California, as a coded message orchestrated by “White Hats,” the supposed good guys in the QAnon universe. Such leaps of logic are typical of Protzman’s teachings, and his followers — eager to uncover hidden meanings in the world — embraced these connections, no matter how tenuous.
This unshakable loyalty was particularly evident when Protzman made promises that were either cryptic or nonsensical. His followers interpreted his vague and often contradictory messages as profound truths. Even when the meaning of his words was unclear or his theories were implausible, his followers’ trust in him remained unwavering. This blind devotion allowed Protzman to wield significant influence over the lives of his followers, who were willing to make sacrifices and upend their lives for his cause.
The Strange Rituals of the Negative 48 Cult
Protzman’s cult didn’t just exist online. His followers had come together in person for events that blurred the line between ritual and performance. For example, on November 22, the anniversary of JFK’s assassination, over 100 of Protzman’s followers gathered at Dealey Plaza in Dallas for a candlelight vigil. Following instructions from a Twitter account with the handle “John F. Kennedy,” they stood in solemn remembrance, singing the song “We Are the World.” This song became an anthem for the group, symbolizing their unity and shared belief in the resurrection of dead celebrities.
The cult’s gatherings are not only marked by solemnity. They also engaged in elaborate reenactments of famous pop culture moments. One of their favorites was performing the full dance routine from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” a fittingly eerie and macabre activity for a group obsessed with the idea of celebrity resurrection.
Anti-Semitism and Dangerous Ideologies
While many QAnon adherents were content to keep their anti-Semitic views covert, Protzman and his followers openly embraced dangerous ideologies. Protzman’s Telegram channel, for example, promoted “Europa: The Last Battle,” a propaganda film series that falsely claims Jews invented communism and were responsible for both World Wars. The film also paints Nazi Germany in a sympathetic light, suggesting that Germany was merely defending itself during World War II. This kind of rhetoric, rooted in the most harmful anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, is deeply troubling, yet Protzman’s followers continued to accept these dangerous ideas as truth.
In addition to promoting this film, Protzman suggested that his followers read the infamous Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a long-debunked document that claims Jewish leaders are conspiring to control the world. This type of rhetoric, which played a significant role in fueling anti-Semitism throughout the 20th century, found new life within the Negative 48 cult, further highlighting the troubling nature of the group’s beliefs.
Protzman’s admiration for Adolf Hitler was apparent. He recommended that his followers watch “Adolf Hitler: The Greatest Story Never Told,” a revisionist film that portrays Hitler as a misunderstood figure. The cult’s open embrace of such extremist content made it clear that the Negative 48 movement was more than just another fringe QAnon group — but a dangerous organization with the potential to incite real harm.
The Cult’s Increasingly Concerning Rhetoric
One of the most alarming aspects of Protzman’s teachings was his followers’ growing obsession with the concept of death. During a recorded video call, one of Protzman’s followers spoke about the need for a “baptism of fire,” where individuals must experience physical death to let go of their ego and be reborn into the truth. The idea of death as a necessary step toward enlightenment had eerie echoes of past cults that ended in tragedy.
The rhetoric was troubling, especially given the cult-like devotion of Protzman’s followers. While many of his teachings could be dismissed as bizarre or nonsensical, the suggestion that death is a necessary part of spiritual growth raised serious concerns about the safety of those involved in the Negative 48 movement.
The Role of Telegram in Cult Communication
One of the key ways Protzman’s followers stayed connected was through the mobile phone application Telegram, where they participated in live chats that often went on for hours each day. These live chats created an environment of constant engagement, where followers shared their personal experiences, prayed together, and discussed conspiracy theories. Members of Protzman’s inner circle moderated the conversations, but they often took on a life of their own, with thousands of participants contributing to the ongoing dialogue.
The chats were surprisingly intimate, with many elderly participants sharing personal stories about how their families no longer talk to them or how they faced traumas in their lives. Despite the heavy emphasis on conspiracy theories, there also was a strong sense of community within the group, with members supporting one another emotionally.
The live chats often ran late into the night, with participants sometimes falling asleep while others continued discussing conspiracy theories. In one instance, a follower claimed that over 60 dead celebrities would appear in Dallas, and participants spent hours searching for these figures, hoping to report back that they had seen someone who looked like Prince or another famous deceased personality.
The Cult of Denial: Living in Protzman’s Movie
As the Negative 48 movement continued to unfold, it became clear that Michael Brian Protzman’s followers were living in a world shaped by his strange interpretations of reality. Followers of the cult, who descended on Dallas from across the country, not only denied the deaths of famous individuals like JFK Jr., Kobe Bryant, and Prince, but they also participated in a lifestyle that increasingly felt like a bizarre, alternate universe — one where everything, from global events to personal tragedies, was merely part of a “movie.”
This belief that life is a scripted performance was central to Protzman’s teachings, which his inner circle embraced with fervor. This idea that life is a movie not only gave Protzman’s followers comfort when faced with difficult realities but also deepened their commitment to his cause. For many, even the loss of family members to COVID-19 was explained away as a necessary casualty in an ongoing “war” that Protzman framed as part of his grand narrative.
Living the Cult Life: Inside the Negative 48 Stronghold
Protzman’s followers had been living in Dallas for weeks, staying in hotels and Airbnbs while waiting for the prophesied resurrection of dead celebrities. Their presence didn’t go unnoticed by the locals. Reports of complaints about noise and overcrowding at their accommodations surfaced, as many of the followers crammed into small spaces, some even sleeping on the floors. Despite these difficult conditions, the devotion of Protzman’s followers remained unwavering.
The core of Protzman’s group — the so-called inner circle — appeared to enjoy slightly more comfortable arrangements. Protzman himself reported to be staying in the penthouse of a local hotel, summoning members of his inner circle to meet with him in private. After these meetings, followers often emerged starry-eyed and euphoric, treating their interactions with Protzman as a divine experience. However, what exactly Protzman told them remains a mystery, as his closest followers are often reluctant to share the details of these conversations.
For the larger group, this cult-like devotion was reflected in their willingness to follow Protzman’s every word without question. Even when faced with the prospect of returning home for the holidays, many chose to stay in Dallas, determined to see through the fulfillment of Protzman’s prophecies. Around 75 followers, in particular, committed to remaining indefinitely, refusing to leave until the “end,” whenever that might be.
The Role of the Inner Circle
One of the most striking aspects of Protzman’s leadership was the loyalty of his inner circle. This group comprised individuals with unique roles in the cult’s day-to-day operations. Some members of the inner circle were selected based on their ability to provide essential services, such as cooking, hairdressing, or fundraising. These members, in turn, were granted access to Protzman and were often the ones collecting donations to support the group’s activities.
A notable figure within the inner circle was Stephen Tenor, an actor who has had minor roles in various films and television shows. Tenor became one of Protzman’s most vocal supporters, claiming that when Protzman spoke, it was God himself communicating through him. Tenor fully embraced Protzman’s ideology, stating that he was willing to stay in Dallas “until the end” or even die for the cause. His fanatical devotion mirrored that of other inner circle members, many of whom were so invested in Protzman’s vision that they signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to keep their activities secret.
According to sources, this inner circle was tightly controlled, and Protzman was selective about who was allowed to join. Those closest to him were often chosen for their ability to contribute something of value to the group — whether that be money, skills, or unwavering loyalty. The fact that these individuals were willing to sign NDAs and undergo a sort of interview process to remain close to Protzman underscored the cult-like structure of the movement.
Life as a Movie: Escaping Reality Through Delusion
One of the most disconcerting aspects of the Negative 48 cult was how it encouraged followers to view their lives through the lens of a scripted narrative. Protzman and his inner circle frequently told followers that everything happening around them was “just a movie.” This delusion explained away personal hardships, including the loss of family members or financial struggles. For example, when followers expressed grief over loved ones who died from COVID-19, they were told that these deaths were simply “casualties of war,” a necessary part of the larger struggle they believed to be fighting.
This idea that life was a movie allowed Protzman’s followers to disconnect from reality, as they convinced themselves that everything, even tragedy, was part of a greater plan. Protzman’s inner circle fully embraced this philosophy, reassuring those who suffered that their pain was merely temporary and that they were playing a role in a grand cosmic battle. These narratives were deeply dangerous, as they not only obscured the truth but also enabled Protzman to maintain control over his followers by framing their suffering as meaningful and necessary.
Even when faced with undeniable realities, such as the loss of a family member to illness, Protzman’s followers were told to dismiss these experiences as part of the “movie.” This rhetoric allowed the cult to maintain an illusion of control, where Protzman and his closest followers held the answers, and everyone else was merely a player in the unfolding script.
The Soothing Presence of a Cult Leader
For those on the outside, Protzman’s teachings were difficult to comprehend. His live streams, filled with ramblings about numbers and names, seemed indecipherable to most. As journalist Donnie O’Sullivan recalls, Protzman’s speeches were often just strings of words and numbers, delivered in a steady cadence. To an outsider, they sounded like gibberish.
Yet, to his followers, there was something deeply compelling about Protzman’s voice. As O’Sullivan notes, many of Protzman’s followers described his voice as soothing. They would listen to him for hours, sometimes even falling asleep while his live streams played. For them, his words weren’t just numbers — they were a form of guidance, providing comfort amid the chaos of the world.
O’Sullivan’s documentary Waiting For JFK: Reporting From the Fringe dives into this strange dichotomy. On the one hand, Protzman’s teachings were nonsensical. But on the other hand, they offered a kind of emotional stability to people who felt lost, particularly during the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the tumultuous 2020 election. The more time O’Sullivan spent with these followers, the more he realized that Protzman’s appeal was about more than just conspiracy theories; it was about offering a sense of community and connection.
A Cult of Connection
What stood out to O’Sullivan during his reporting was the strong sense of camaraderie among Protzman’s followers. For many, Negative 48 wasn’t just about believing in outlandish prophecies — it was about belonging to a community. O’Sullivan observed how, for some of these individuals, their involvement in the group had become a source of joy. Followers would gather in hotels, dine out together, and attend events, all while reinforcing their shared beliefs.
This sense of connection became so powerful that many followers chose to leave their families and lives behind to stay with Protzman. Some even traveled with him across the country to attend Trump rallies. But as with many cult-like movements, the personal costs were high. Families were left heartbroken as their loved ones were drawn deeper into the group’s ideology.
The Human Toll: Families Left Behind
One of the most poignant stories O’Sullivan encountered in his reporting was that of Erica Vigras. Erica’s brother, Jason, was once a successful businessman who had reconnected with Erica later in life after being adopted at birth. They formed a close bond, and Jason even moved to Pittsburgh to be closer to her. But around 2020, Jason’s behavior began to change.
Like many others, Jason was drawn into the world of conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 lockdowns. O’Sullivan recounts how a comment made by one of Jason’s nieces about child trafficking seemed to spark his descent into the QAnon rabbit hole. From there, Jason became increasingly obsessed with these conspiracies, eventually becoming a follower of Protzman.
Erica’s story is just one example of how families have struggled to deal with loved ones who become entangled in fringe beliefs. Many families, like Erica’s, have found themselves sitting at kitchen tables, listening to increasingly bizarre statements from their relatives. For those left behind, it’s a painful and confusing experience as they watch the people they care about drift further into a world of disinformation.
The Tragedy of Klaus Richter
Perhaps one of the most shocking cases associated with Negative 48 is the story of Klaus Richter, a follower of Protzman who tragically died after a car accident caused by another cult member. Klaus, a U.S. veteran from Sarasota, Florida, was a devoted follower of Protzman who had traveled to Texas for a Trump rally and ended up spending months with the group.
In a tragic twist, after the accident, someone posing as Klaus’s daughter began making medical decisions on his behalf, despite the fact that Klaus had no children. This added a chilling layer of deception to the tragedy, as Klaus’s real family struggled to gain access to him while dealing with the presence of Protzman’s followers at the hospital.
O’Sullivan’s documentary reveals the toll that this accident took on Klaus’s family, who had already been deeply concerned about his involvement with the cult. They struggled to understand why Protzman’s followers had waited so long to inform them of the accident and why this mysterious woman had been allowed to make decisions about Klaus’s care. The story highlights the intense control that cult leaders like Protzman can exert over their followers, even in moments of crisis.
The Cult-Like Dynamics of Negative 48
To better understand the dynamics of the Negative 48 group, O’Sullivan spoke with Diane Benskotter, an expert in cults and a former member of the Moonies. Benskotter explained that one of the hallmarks of a cult is its ability to isolate members from their families and create a sense of dependency on the group. In the case of Negative 48, this control manifested in subtle but powerful ways. Klaus’s sister, for example, described how he would often have to sneak away from the group to speak with her, as the other members kept a close watch on him.
This level of control is not uncommon in cult-like movements. Leaders like Protzman work to sever ties between their followers and their families, creating an environment where the cult becomes the follower’s primary source of support and validation. In this sense, Protzman’s group was no different from other cults, using isolation and control to maintain influence over its members.
Protzman’s Mother Speaks Out
One of the most remarkable interviews in O’Sullivan’s documentary is with Colleen Protzman, Michael’s mother. In a heartbreaking interview, Colleen expressed her deep sorrow over her son’s transformation into a cult leader. She revealed that Michael had not set out to form a cult, but over time, he became entangled in the very movement he led.
Colleen’s anguish is palpable as she describes how her son’s life changed over the course of a few years. She expressed sympathy for the followers of Negative 48, stating that Michael was a victim of the same forces that ensnared his followers. Her perspective adds a humanizing layer to the story of Protzman, showing that even cult leaders can be victims of the ideologies they propagate.
The Descent Into Conspiracy
According to Colleen, her son’s descent into the conspiracy world began about a decade ago. Struggling with financial problems and family issues, Protzman started researching online. He became fascinated with silver and gold investments, which led him to the realm of Alex Jones and other conspiracy theorists. What started as an interest in financial advice quickly spiraled into an obsession with fringe ideologies. Before long, he was questioning the legitimacy of events like the Sandy Hook massacre, and his obsession with these conspiracies began to alienate him from family and friends.
Over time, Protzman’s behavior became more erratic. He traveled around the country, attending Trump rallies and eventually settling in Dallas. Colleen’s account of her son’s transformation is a tragic reminder of how people can become consumed by disinformation and conspiracy, leading them down a path that separates them from their former lives.
The Motorcycle Crash and Protzman’s Death
As the documentary was nearing completion, news broke that Michael Protzman had died following a motorcycle accident. Protzman, who had grown up around motocross vehicles, had been riding on a dirt track in Minnesota when the accident occurred. He was airlifted to a hospital, but his injuries were too severe. He passed away shortly after. Some of his followers were with him at the time of the accident.
Protzman’s death was another tragedy in a story already marked by loss and suffering. His family, particularly Colleen, was devastated. In her interviews, she reflected on the complexity of her son’s journey. While she acknowledged that he had become complicit in leading others into conspiracy-driven beliefs, she also saw him as a victim of the very forces that had trapped his followers.
The Aftermath: A Cult Without Its Leader
Protzman’s death left the Negative 48 movement without its charismatic leader, but his influence has not entirely disappeared. After his passing, O’Sullivan and his team decided to pause the release of their documentary out of respect for the family. However, they continued to monitor the movement, observing how his followers were reacting to the loss of their leader.
As is often the case with cults, the absence of a leader does not necessarily mean the end of the movement. Protzman’s followers have struggled to move on, and some remain dedicated to his teachings. While the cult may not have the same visibility or unity as it once did, the ideas that Protzman propagated continue to live on in smaller, more fragmented groups.
O’Sullivan’s interviews with Protzman’s mother revealed that she was not seeking to absolve her son of responsibility for his actions. She acknowledged that he had led people astray, but she also believed that he had been led astray himself, falling deeper into conspiracy theories that consumed him until they ultimately defined his life.
The Ongoing Legacy of Negative 48
While Michael Protzman may no longer be alive, the ideas he promoted within the Negative 48 movement still resonate with a small but dedicated group of followers. The cult may be fractured, but the damage it has done — to both the followers and their families — remains.
Families like the Richters and the Vigras family continue to cope with the loss of their loved ones to a world of disinformation. Whether they lost them through physical death, as in Klaus Richter’s case, or through emotional separation, as with Jason Vigras, the pain of losing someone to conspiracy is real and lasting.
Protzman’s death may have marked the end of a chapter for the Negative 48 cult, but the questions his life and leadership raise are far from answered. How do people fall into the world of conspiracy theories? What can families do when they see their loved ones being drawn into dangerous ideologies? And how do we, as a society, prevent the next Michael Protzman from leading others down a similar path?
As we reflect on the rise and fall of Negative 48, it is important to remember that behind every conspiracy theory are real people — people searching for answers, connection, and meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain.
Citations & Sources:
- Rothschild, Mike. The Storm is Upon Us: How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything. Melville House, 2021.
- Frenkel, Sheera, and Benner, Katie. “How Michael Protzman Built and Ruined a QAnon Cult.” The New York Times, June 2023.
- Stanley-Becker, Isaac. “The Man Who Led Hundreds to Dallas to Await JFK’s Return.” The Washington Post, November 2021.
- Zadrozny, Brandy. “Inside the QAnon Cult of Michael Protzman.” NBC News, March 2022.
- Cole, Brendan. “Michael Protzman, JFK-Obsessed QAnon Leader, Dead at 60.” Newsweek, June 2023.
- Broderick, Ryan. “How ‘Negative 48’ Turned QAnon Into His Own Personal Cult.” BuzzFeed News, April 2022.
- Sommer, Will. Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Unhinged America. HarperCollins, 2022.
- Bevan, Michael. “The Dangerous Charisma of QAnon Cult Leader Michael Protzman.” Rolling Stone, May 2022.
