It actually was precisely the plan - conspiracy theories are sown by the establishment to deflect from itself and shift blame elsewhere, so they can get away with whatever they want to and still maintain power.

Qanon was about deflecting “the most rich and powerful in society get away with trafficking, rape, and murder” to “liberals get away with trafficking, rape, and murder”. In the same way that “the economy is controlled by a small group of rich and powerful capitalists” is deflected to “the economy is controlled by Jews”, and “abusive men in positions of power groom children” to “drag queens groom children”.

It’s one way to manufacture consent, and it works.