Alex Jones
In this book, Alex Jones becomes a symbol of outlandish conspiracy theories. In her prologue, Merlan describes meeting him, saying that he was "red-faced and effusive."
Conspira-Sea
Conspira-Sea is a cruise intended for people who believe in conspiracy theories. Merlan describes her surreal time on one, saying that she had even been asked if she were a CIA agent.
Hilary Clinton
Merlan describes in the book that Hilary Clinton is often disliked among conspiracy theorists. One example is when she is describing Alex Jones, who believes that "Hillary Clinton is an actual demon who smells of sulfur, hails from Hell itself." Merlan later describes how Trump's presidential campaign often focused on theories surrounding Clinton, such as the fact she was trying to rig the election.
The saleswomen
Outside a talk about pedophiles in the American government, Merlan sees two women "standing behind a table heaped with different kinds of gemstones promising to cure everything from anemia to depression to gout." These two women represent people who are seeking to profit from other people's belief in conspiracy theories.
The American Dream
Merlan argues that some of her answers about conspiracy theories can be found in "our increasingly rigid class structure, one that leaves many people feeling locked into their circumstances." She essentially says that the concept of the American dream has failed, which has led to a belief in conspiracy theories.
