Facebook, Twitter and YouTube take down false coronavirus “cure” video shared by Trump
By Christopher Brito Updated on: July 28, 2020 / 7:17 PM / CBS News
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have taken down a video spreading false information about a coronavirus “cure” that was shared by President Trump. The clip was viewed millions of times before it was scrubbed from the social media platforms.
The video published by right-wing website Breitbart shows a news conference in front of the Supreme Court steps with South Carolina Republican Rep. Ralph Norman and several people claiming to be doctors who have worked with COVID-19 patients. Dr. Stella Immanuel, one member of the group calling itself “America’s Frontline Doctors,” said hydroxychloroquine, a drug that was touted by Mr. Trump, is a “cure” for coronavirus.
“This virus has a cure, it’s called hydroxychloroquine, zinc, and Zithromax,” she said. “You don’t need masks, there is a cure.”
Masks have been shown to be an effective way of reducing the transmission of the coronavirus, and as recently as last week, Mr. Trump encouraged people to wear them. Results published in early June showed hydroxychloroquine was no better than placebo pills at preventing illness from the coronavirus. The FDA also determined the drug is unlikely to be effective in treating COVID-19. In an interview with “Good Morning America” on Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said that the drug is “not effective.”
Regardless, Mr. Trump shared the video to 28 million users who have “liked” his page on Facebook and his 84 million followers on Twitter. Both platforms deleted the video.