Portland's famous Voodoo Doughnut is the target of a new far-right conspiracy theory

Is there a more delicious way to start your day than indulging in some caffeine and sugar? Coffee and a doughnut are, arguably, as American as apple pie. However, according to a new far-right conspiracy theory, behind the scenes at a famous doughnut shop, Voodoo Doughnut of Portland, Ore., it’s anything but wholesome.

Although the shop’s voodoo doll imagery has offended those who oppose anything related to the occult in the past, a new conspiracy theory is claiming that the franchise is actually a front for child trafficking.

The hashtag #doughnutgate is spreading, which itself is a nod to #pizzagate, a conspiracy theory that circulated during the 2016 presidential election cycle suggesting that a restaurant in Washington, D.C., was a front for a child-sex ring, run by high-ranking Democrats.

Media Matters reports that a man identified as Michael Whelan, known as Vegan Mikey on Twitter, appeared on a YouTube show where he alleged that he attended a party at Voodoo co-owner Tres Shannon’s house, where sexual abuse of children took place. The allegations against Voodoo’s co-owner begin at the 48-minute mark.

The video may have gone viral because of actor Isaac Kappy, who posted about it. Kappy is a frequent guest on Alex Jones’s Infowars and has claimed that a number of celebrities, such as Tom Hanks and Seth Green, are pedophiles.

The believers of #doughnutgate are reading their own ideas into the types of unconventional doughnuts that Voodoo provides, saying that they worship demons, are phallic shaped, and showcase symbols of pedophilia.

These conspiracy theories can have real-life consequences, as Media Matters points out. A gunman opened fire at Comet Ping Pong, the restaurant accused of being involved in #pizzagate, and the business received “hundreds of death threats,” according to its owner.

Voodoo Doughnuts did not immediately respond to Yahoo Lifestyle’s requests for comment.

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