Yes. Ancient Aliens, Flerf nonsense, Tartarian nonsense. All religions.

Not particularly.

Flat earth, anti-vax, alt-right -- a significant influencer in these things and others were early trolls ... being trolls.

The fun of keeping a straight face while you say ridiculous things isn't so fun when you see everyone in the presidential administration doing it. People who didn't get the original joke took the bait and ran with it.