Innocence Betrayed: The Untold Story of a Mother and her Cult-Leading Son

Discover how conspiracy theories are fracturing American families. CNN's Donie O'Sullivan delves into the topic in "Waiting for JFK: Report from the Fringe" on "The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper" airing at 8 p.m. ET this Sunday.

Confidently, a man on the recording proclaims, "Allow me to lay out the family lineage: John John and Trump are actually cousins. Moreover, JFK Sr., who isn't deceased, is Trump's uncle. To add to the intrigue, General George Patton is Trump's father, and Mussolini is his brother..."

Colleen Protzman listened on, despondent. The man talking on the tape was her son, Michael Protzman.

"And the thing is," she said, "he believes that."

Her son had become the prominent figure in a QAnon splinter group, which held the belief that John F. Kennedy Jr., who tragically perished in a plane crash off Marthas Vineyard in 1999, was actually alive and covertly collaborating with former President Donald Trump to rescue the United States from a malevolent secret society.

This is the sort of conspiracy theory that is commonly associated with the hidden recesses of the internet.

But everything changed on November 2, 2021 when a multitude of individuals from all over the nation assembled at the notorious grassy knoll in Dallas Dealey Plaza, the very spot where President John F. Kennedy fell victim to an assassination attempt in 1963. This gathering was not intended to commemorate the demise of the 35th President of the United States. Its purpose was to witness what they fervently hoped would be the triumphant return of the Kennedys.

A crowd gather on the grassy knoll in Dallas in November 2021

WFAA

One person informed the local WFAA news crew that there were rumors of Junior JFK Jr making an appearance to introduce his parents, at which a substantial crowd had gathered. When asked about his expectations, the individual sincerely stated that JFK Jr might even become the vice president alongside Trump. Unfortunately, neither JFK Jr nor his late father appeared. While a majority of the crowd dispersed and resumed their daily lives, some were disappointed that the seemingly impossible did not transpire. Nevertheless, a group of individuals continued to wait in Dallas for several months, anticipating the Kennedys' return.

The Kennedys, once synonymous with the Democratic Party, had somehow become revered figures in a movement that also idolized Trump. This strange concoction of American history, referencing JFK's assassination, combined with biblical and QAnon-like predictions, suggested that both the Kennedys and Trump were direct descendants of Jesus Christ, destined to be the heroic figures in an eternal clash between good and evil.

Despite its outlandish nature, this tale managed to resonate with many. On that fateful day in Dallas, hundreds of individuals gathered, hoping for a miraculous reappearance of a Kennedy. Others went to extreme lengths, abandoning their lives, families, and careers, all in anticipation of a false promise. But what drove them to do so?

Reducing the answer to this question as a mere delusion of "QAnon crazies" overlooks the significant influence that fringe conspiracy theories are exerting on both American families and democracy.

These unfounded ideologies are indicative of a larger mindset that thrives on anger, disillusionment, and isolation, and it is perpetuated by individuals with political and financial interests who have utilized the social media platform to manipulate and exploit the sense of community.

Michael Protzman became deeply immersed in this alternate reality, where opinions about him vary dramatically. According to some, Protzman fell victim to the influence of online content, causing his perspectives and belief system to undergo such drastic changes that he ultimately lost his family, home, and business. On the other hand, there are those who view him as a cunning opportunist who deceived his followers by promoting a distorted biblical prophecy reminiscent of QAnon, resulting in the separation of families and leading some to perceive him as the founder of a cult.

Michael Protzman

CNN has spent the past year meticulously monitoring Protzman and his followers in order to gain a deeper understanding of how online misinformation is impacting American families. This in-depth analysis will be showcased as a documentary on CNN's The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper series.

We interviewed numerous Americans who have been impacted by conspiracy theories, including Protzman's own family. In June, Protzman sustained extensive injuries in a motocross track incident in Minnesota and tragically passed away a few days later at the age of 60.

But the tragic tale of Michael Brian Protzman began long before the accident.

Prey

According to Michael's mother, Colleen Protzman, he wasn't interested in computers. However, after the 2008 financial crisis, he began conducting online research on investing in silver. Numerous websites promoting the sale of precious metals, including silver, rely on doomsday conspiracy theories, aiming to persuade individuals to invest their money. During this time, Michael resided near Seattle with his wife and two children. While he operated a demolition business, he harbored concerns about his family's financial future. Colleen stated, "He was aware that he couldn't continue this physically demanding work indefinitely."

With those worries and other personal family issues, he found himself being drawn into conspiracy theory websites. Gradually, his fear became tangible - he believed that the US dollar was on the verge of a collapse. He urged his mom to withdraw her 401(k) retirement savings and put it into silver, but she refused.

"He was absolutely insistent that our family, including his wife, daughter, sisters, and myself, would be left with nothing if we didn't grasp the inevitability of this situation and fail to make proper investments," she clarified.

Colleen Protzman

CNN

Over time, Michaels perspective had broadened to encompass conspiracy theories surrounding the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the tragic Sandy Hook elementary school massacre.

"He became increasingly isolated," his mother explained. "And the deeper his isolation grew, the more he craved the validation of his family, expecting them to share his beliefs without question. Unfortunately, we couldn't comply."

In February of this year, Colleen Protzman agreed to talk to CNN with the intention of revealing the true identity of her son before he was branded as a cult leader in her eyes. She wanted people to understand who the real Michael was.

During the interview, she described Michael as a loving son and a dedicated father who was fully committed to taking care of his family. Colleen shared an anecdote about a time when they were driving on Interstate 5 near their home in Washington state. They came across a family whose car had broken down in the heavy rain. Without hesitation, Michael pulled over, assisted the family in reaching a nearby garage, and provided them with dry clothes. His mother recalled this incident to emphasize the kind-hearted nature of her son.

As time passed and Michael became more deeply entangled in conspiracy theories, his fascination shifted towards QAnon - a vast online belief system alleging that former President Donald Trump is a heroic figure assigned with rescuing the United States from a malevolent group of pedophiles who worship Satan.

It marked a significant shift in Michael's mindset. According to his mother, he had previously shown support for President Barack Obama by casting his vote for him twice and admired the liberal icon Rachel Maddow, viewing her as intelligent and aligned with his beliefs.

Eventually, Michael became consumed by conspiracy theories, leaving little room for any other topic of conversation. Despite his mother's efforts to disprove the misinformation he constantly shared with her, her attempts proved futile. Gradually, his frustration grew as he realized that his family would not embrace the same unfounded claims that he fervently advocated. Likewise, his family experienced their own frustration, worn out by his relentless proselytizing.

CNN correspondent Donie O'Sullivan interviews Michal Protzman in Dallas

CNN

By November 2021, Michael and his followers garnered national attention with their peculiar gathering at Dealey Plaza, eagerly awaiting the unexplained appearance of the Kennedys. Concurrently, Michael had distanced himself from his family, his wife was preparing to initiate divorce proceedings, and his business had ceased operations.

The intrigue surrounding the Kennedys stems from a branch of the QAnon mythology. The enigmatic online persona known as "Q," notorious for its history of inaccurate predictions and illogical posts within the QAnon phenomenon, unexpectedly fell silent in 2018. This silence paved the way for another undisclosed online account, which introduced the intriguing Kennedy storyline.

The unsubstantiated conspiracy theory proposes that JFK Jr. did not actually perish in a plane crash in 1999 and instead, he collaborates with Trump to safeguard America. Supporters assert that JFK Jr. will assume the role of vice president in the upcoming Trump administration, with certain individuals even speculating that JFK himself could potentially reappear as Jesus Christ.

While it is true that certain QAnon adherents view these notions as eccentric, the initial "Q" account, after resuming activity in 2018, distanced itself from this conspiracy theory. Nevertheless, a portion of believers continue to embrace this belief.

Predator

"He took my person," Erica Vigrass said, holding back tears.

Her brother Jason traveled to Dallas in November 2021 in hopes of witnessing what he believed to be JFK's return. He decided to stay there for several months and embarked on a journey across the country with Protzman and his followers, attending numerous Trump rallies.

Erica Vigrass

CNN

Jason discovered Michael Protzman on Telegram, a social media messaging app that gained traction in the US following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. This surge in popularity occurred as major platforms such as Facebook and Twitter suspended the accounts of influential conspiracy theorists. On Telegram, Protzman encountered a receptive audience who affirmed his long-held family conspiracy theories, which he had previously thought to be ridiculous. Reflecting on this, Protzman's mother recounted how he had mentioned being on Telegram to a friend and suddenly acquiring a significant number of followers.

Protzman frequently presented lengthy sermons to his followers on Telegram, often spanning hours. Within these monologues, he skillfully employed gematria, a method assigning numerical values to each letter of the alphabet (A=1, B=2, C=3… etc.), in an attempt to establish connections between figures like the Kennedys and Trump.

Despite the lack of logic in these claims, they remarkably managed to captivate numerous individuals. Notably, Protzman amassed a substantial following on Telegram, numbering in the tens of thousands, which also included Erica Vigrass' brother, Jason.

Vigrass and other families, whose loved ones departed from home to join Protzman, perceived him as a skilled manipulator who estranged people from their families and inundated them with eccentric theories and gematria.

Erica mentioned that her youngest daughter had confided in Jason about her fear of being kidnapped. Subsequently, Erica stated that Jason began researching online about cases of child abduction, human trafficking, and abuse occurring in the United States.

The content addresses the weaponization of online reports of crimes and the spread of disinformation. It highlights the false labeling of Democratic Party politicians and Hollywood celebrities as pedophiles and members of a child abuse and trafficking cabal. This conspiracy theory, dating back to the Middle Ages, has persisted due to the emotional reactions it elicits among believers.

"My son was particularly struck by the significant focus on intentionally harming children," explained Protzman's mother. "There appears to be an organized group, not only within our nation but globally, that wields immense control and dedicates itself to inflicting unimaginable horrors upon children. This revelation deeply disturbed him."

"These individuals are utterly adrift," she continued, referring to Michael's own sense of being lost.

Protzman, similar to Jason, was also a casualty in this situation, according to her belief. He found himself going down the same path as his followers, but he delved much deeper into it.

"They weren't compelled to go to Dallas. They are not obliged to be there, but they have been entrapped just like [Michael] has been entrapped," Protzman's mother stated. "He never intended to form a cult," she mentioned, although she recognized that her son had become involved in the issue.

After Michael Protzman's death this summer, there were followers who remained skeptical and refused to accept the fact. Drawing a parallel to JFK Jr., a few suggested that Protzman might have fabricated his own demise, going as far as speculating that he could actually be JFK Jr.

Colleen Protzman, in her hopeful state, saw her son's death as a chance for his former followers to introspect and reconnect with their families. She expressed her desire for them to finally move on from this situation and come to the realization that whatever they were seeking or pursuing, that chapter had reached its conclusion.

Beyond JFK

The cases of Michael Protzman and Erica Vigrass' brother may appear extreme - however, they serve as a glimpse into a larger issue that is affecting potentially millions of American families. Vigrass could have never anticipated that the elaborate conspiracy theories her brother discussed at the kitchen table would eventually lead him to become part of what she believes is a cult.

"Take it seriously and understand that its level of harm is far more insidious than it may appear," Vigrass cautioned. "If they are discussing it with you, the extent to which it has engulfed them is likely much more significant than you can comprehend."

Families frequently witness the immense damage inflicted by conspiracy theories when a loved one becomes intensely preoccupied with falsehoods.

According to journalist and author Jesselyn Cook, QAnon's harmful impact is often hidden from public view, occurring within families and behind closed doors. It doesn't play out in the news but rather takes place during personal conversations, such as at the dinner table or over the phone with loved ones. These alternate realities created by QAnon have caused immense damage to families and society, ultimately leading to a violent assault on the US Capitol. Researchers warn that the deeper individuals delve into QAnon ideology, the more likely they are to encounter and potentially embrace racist and anti-Semitic hate.

Diane Benscoter, previous member of the Unification Church (commonly referred to as the "Moonies") and current director of Antidote, a nonprofit aiding individuals affected by disinformation and cults, informed CNN of the escalating number of individuals seeking assistance.

Among the myriad of factors contributing to their engagement in these delusional circumstances, all the families and specialists interviewed by CNN emphasized the significance of seeking belonging and a sense of community.

The 2000 study titled "Bowling Alone" extensively examined the decline of social capital in the United States during the latter half of the twentieth century. One of the contributing factors to this decline was the decrease in membership of bowling and other social clubs.

Since then, the emergence of social media networks has further exacerbated the division among individuals. Recently, the US Surgeon General emphasized that loneliness and isolation have reached epidemic proportions.

According to Benscoter, who identifies as a former cult member, the prevalence of conspiracy theories in contemporary America is not only a political or mental health concern, but a matter of public health. Benscoter argues that this threat extends beyond the division of American families, as evidenced by the alarming impact of these falsehoods showcased in the assault on the US Capitol.

"I think were at a real, real crisis situation," Benscoter said. "I think that we could lose democracy."