Gatehouse found himself surrounded by a mix of Trump supporters, anti-vaxxers, QAnon believers, and other conspiracy theorists. It was a surreal experience for him, as he watched these groups come together in their shared distrust of the system. This moment sparked his interest in exploring the world of conspiracy theories and how they influence politics and society.
As he delved deeper into the world of conspiracies, Gatehouse realized that these beliefs were not just fringe ideas held by a few individuals. They were gaining traction and influencing mainstream politics. The rise of Trump and the events of January 6th at the Capitol were a culmination of years of conspiracy theories seeping into the mainstream.
Through his podcast and book, Gatehouse aims to shed light on these complex issues and help people understand the underlying factors driving these conspiracy theories. He doesn’t dismiss them outright but instead urges people to take them seriously and recognize the societal issues they represent.
Gatehouse’s reporting from the frontlines of conflict zones has given him a unique perspective on the current state of American politics. He sees parallels between the chaos he has witnessed abroad and the growing unrest in the US. By examining the roots of conspiracy theories and their impact on society, Gatehouse hopes to spark meaningful conversations and bring about a greater understanding of the challenges we face as a society.
Gatehouse explains that this theory has been embraced by Silicon Valley billionaires and rightwing libertarians, who see themselves as the future sovereign individuals. This, he suggests, is the real conspiracy – not the fantastical tales of QAnon, but the very real consolidation of power and wealth in the hands of a select few.
As he delves deeper into the world of conspiracy theories, Gatehouse remains vigilant about the line between investigative journalism and falling down the rabbit hole of conspiracy. His work on The Coming Storm sheds light on the dangerous intersection of misinformation, manipulation, and mainstream politics, urging viewers to question the narratives they are presented with.
In a world where media is fragmented and conflicting realities are pushed by different camps, Gatehouse’s series serves as a critique of establishment media, highlighting the biases and choices inherent in crafting a narrative. By examining the roots of conspiracy theories and their ties to power and wealth, Gatehouse challenges viewers to think critically about the information they consume and the stories they are told.
“Certain sections of big tech saw the book almost as a route map; it was reprinted in 2020 with a new preface by the billionaire venture capitalist Peter Thiel.
Gatehouse in Kyiv in 2014 during the Maidan revolution. Photograph: Warwick Harrington
“He was definitely at the centre of one of my spider diagrams,” says Gatehouse. Thiel was an early investor in the likes of Facebook, PayPal, the data analysis company Palantir and OpenAI, among others, which connects him to Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman and Elon Musk. He has already helped set up a proto-“network state”: an autonomous economic zone called Próspera, on the Honduran island of Roatán. Thiel also has connections with Trump-world: JD Vance was a protege.
Thiel and Musk could be described as “accelerationist” in their thinking, which means they are keen to speed up the pace of technological change and get to the next level, or planet, or whatever – regardless of the consequences. Where some see climate breakdown, civil disorder and societal collapse as disasters, they see opportunity. All of which leads Gatehouse to ask: “Are big tech billionaires using the Maga movement as a vehicle for their accelerationist cause?”
He follows a lot of people from this community online, he says. “They were jumping up and down with glee on the night of the election.” He reads me a line from one of their posts: “Techno kings about to rule the free world. Massive wave of acceleration incoming.”
The coming storm indeed. But not even Gatehouse is making predictions about what a second Trump presidency might bring. “We just don’t know what’s around the corner,” he says. “My children are six and two. When they’re my age – I am 47 – are they still going to be living under the same system of government and societal structures that I grew up in, and my parents grew up in and, to an extent, my grandparents grew up in? I think that’s an open question.”
Is he optimistic? “My glass is pretty half-empty at this point,” he admits. “I have an optimistic disposition generally, so I kind of feel like what will be, will be, but I think there’s going to be big changes coming down the track. And some of it might be good. The current system is definitely not perfect, right? There are lots of problems. Is the solution to tear it all down and build it up again from scratch? I think not.”
Gabriel Gatehouse in London. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
But tearing things down, being “anti-system”, looks to be on the agenda, between the accelerationists, Musk’s “government efficiency” ambitions and the notorious Project 2025 agenda, which, among other things, includes dismantling key departments such as education and homeland security. “I don’t know whether Trump has the temperament to build new institutions. I suspect not.”
There is plenty of material for more instalments of The Coming Storm, it seems, but Gatehouse is done with this world, he says. “I need to give my brain a break from conspiracy theories. It does drive you a little bit nuts.” He already has other projects in the pipeline on completely different topics. He doesn’t want to become Mr Conspiracy, he says. “But you know, it’s illuminating, and it’s rewarding and it’s interesting – and it’s definitely changed my view of the world.”
The Coming Storm by Gabriel Gatehouse is out now (BBC Books, £25). To support the Guardian and the Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply