Media

CNN Tracks Down, Corners Shirtless Florida Doctor On White House List Of 12 ‘Disinformation’ Pushers

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CNN tracked down a doctor and followed him near his home in an attempt to question him about the alleged COVID-19 misinformation he had been pushing.

Dr. Joseph Mercola is on a list called the “disinformation dozen,” a group of 12 people that researchers from the Center for Countering Digital Hate say are responsible for 65% of anti-vaccine content on social media. White House press secretary Jen Psaki cited the research on the “disinformation dozen” during a press conference where the White House pledged to combat misinformation on social media and push for vaccines. (RELATED: Biden’s Top COVID Adviser: Many Cloth Face Coverings ‘Are Not Very Effective’)

A segment that aired Monday showed CNN’s Randi Kaye showing up at Mercola’s office near Fort Meyers, Florida. She asked two people where Mercola was, and they told her that he wasn’t there. After asking when he would be back and if she could leave a message, Kaye went to Mercola’s house, which they said was more than 200 miles away.

The house was behind a gate, so Kaye attempted to make contact with Mercola through the small security access pad. After that failed, the CNN team spotted Kaye riding shirtless on a bicycle near the beach and followed him.

“Once he stopped, we thought this was our opening to get some answers as to why he’s pushing false claims about masks and the vaccine,” Kaye said.

Kaye introduced herself and asked Mercola if she could ask him some questions. He didn’t answer and began walking away.

“We just want to talk to you about vaccines and what you’ve been saying about them,” Kaye told him. “Do you feel responsible for people who didn’t get vaccinated and possibly got sick and died because of what you told them about the vaccines?”

“What do you say to families who lost loved ones?” Kaye asked as Mercola rode away on his bicycle. “Are you spreading misinformation? Why won’t you speak to us?”

Mercola is accused of spreading “misinformation” on COVID-19, such as telling people vaccines can be dangerous, saying that vitamins C and D can help treat or prevent coronavirus, and saying that masks sometimes don’t work.