Michigan GOP officials set to celebrate Juneteenth with “demon sperm” doctor and a QAnon influencer
Written by Eric Hananoki
Published
Updated
Numerous Republican officials in Michigan are scheduled to attend a Juneteenth celebration featuring a QAnon influencer and a doctor who is best known for spreading bizarre medical claims, including that gynecological problems are caused by demon sperm.
Bernadette Smith, the ethnic vice chair of the Michigan Republican Party, is hosting a “Juneteenth Unite America” event featuring streamer Mel K and quack Dr. Stella Immanuel. A flyer for the event also lists state Reps. Neil Friske, Pat Outman, and Steve Carra; state Sen. Rick Outman; and circuit court Judge Joseph Rossi. (Update 7/7/23: Rep. Steve Carra did not end up speaking, according to video of the event; Rep. Tom Hooker, who was not previously listed, also spoke.) Republican Party groups in the state have promoted the event online.
Mel K is a streaming host who has repeatedly pushed the QAnon conspiracy theory. During one of her programs, she stated that “99%” of QAnon has been “proven to be true”:
MEL K: The actual QMap is the most fascinating thing. I don't know if you've ever seen the actual map that was drawn out. It is the most fascinating strategic document I've ever seen in my life and what it is, and then the drops are just strategically placed.
…
I'd say 99% of what's been on there has been proven to be true. And the problem is, if you remember, the QMap was my favorite. It went away. But the QMap had the people listed. It had questionable deaths and it also had resignations and it also had players. This is what they're scared of. This is what the media is demonizing.
She has also promoted conspiracy theories about Dominion Voting Systems, Smartmatic, and the death of Seth Rich. During one discussion, Mel K accused Dominion and Smartmatic of being part of a global conspiracy that’s “caught up” in “Pizzagate.”
Stella Immanuel is a COVID-19 conspiracy theorist. Will Sommer reported of Immanuel for the Daily Beast in an article headlined “Trump’s New Favorite COVID Doctor Believes in Alien DNA, Demon Sperm, and Hydroxychloroquine”:
Immanuel, a pediatrician and a religious minister, has a history of making bizarre claims about medical topics and other issues. She has often claimed that gynecological problems like cysts and endometriosis are in fact caused by people having sex in their dreams with demons and witches.
She alleges alien DNA is currently used in medical treatments, and that scientists are cooking up a vaccine to prevent people from being religious. And, despite appearing in Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress on Monday, she has said that the government is run in part not by humans but by “reptilians” and other aliens.
She has also pushed the QAnon-aligned “adrenochrome” conspiracy theory, including tweeting on June 14 that “the elites” drink the blood of children because “they are not human, and they need human flesh and blood to keep their human container. They are like vampires, they live on human blood.”
The Republican Party in Michigan is led by Kristina Karamo, an anti-LGBTQ commentator who has claimed that Beyoncé, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, yoga, and a Korean drama are all tools of Satan. She also has QAnon connections and refused to concede her 2022 election loss for secretary of state.