Ty Bollinger began their business several years ago with books and DVDs such as “Cancer: Step Outside the Box” and “The Truth About Cancer,” which medical experts say included unproven information about alternatives to chemotherapy and cancer prevention. Ty Bollinger later complained on an Internet show that “journo-terrorists” and “mainstream media whores” were about to release a “hit piece” on him and his wife. The Bollingers declined interview requests and did not respond to a list of questions emailed to them by the AP about their business and political activities and backgrounds. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said last month that misinformation and disinformation circulating online about COVID-19 present a “clear and present danger” to people who need to be protected and who could get vaccinated. A recent AP-NORC poll shows about 1 in 5 Americans are hesitant to get vaccinated. Public health experts say the spread of such disinformation undermines the effort to immunize enough of the population to stop the pandemic. The Center for Countering Digital Hate said that from December 2019 to May 2021, five of the Bollingers’ biggest social media accounts gained 117,273 followers. They have more than 1 million followers on Facebook, and Charlene Bollinger said in a video conversation with Kennedy posted last year on their Super PAC’s website that their email list has “a couple million” people on it. The couple’s social media accounts have been identified as among the top vaccine misinformation super spreaders by organizations such as NewsGuard, which analyzes the credibility of websites, and The Center for Countering Digital Hate, which monitors online disinformation. She called it an “amazing day” and led a prayer for the people she called “patriots.” Meanwhile, Ty Bollinger stood at the doors of the Capitol, waiting to get in. As emergency vehicles screamed past, responding to the invasion and the ransacking of the building, Charlene Bollinger celebrated from the stage. 6, the Bollingers held a rally a few blocks from the Capitol. Capitol and promoting lies like the assertion that the election was stolen from Trump. The Bollingers aligned themselves with right-wing supporters of former President Donald Trump - establishing a Super PAC to push what they call “medical freedom,” participating in the insurrection at the U.S. But the pandemic presented the couple and others a huge opportunity to expand their reach. The Bollingers and others were already in the business of selling vaccine disinformation before the coronavirus began its inexorable march across the globe. For the people below, they passionately believe it. “They have many, many passionate believers that serve as sales people of the misinformation on the ground,” she said. Reiss said that unlike other multi-level marketing businesses, in which products are sold through low-level sub-sellers, the anti-vaccination industry is sustained by grassroots activists. “This is a disinformation industry,” said Dorit Reiss, a professor at the University of California Hastings College of the Law, who specializes in vaccine policy. Tens of thousands of people ponied up cash for an earlier version of their vaccine video series, they said. They have said that they have sold tens of millions of dollars of products through various ventures and paid out $12 million to affiliates. and his Children’s Health Defense - to drive sales through affiliate marketing relationships.Īccording to the Bollingers, there is big money involved. The Bollingers are part of an ecosystem of for-profit companies, nonprofit groups, YouTube channels and other social media accounts that stoke fear and distrust of COVID-19 vaccines, resorting to what medical experts say is often misleading and false information.Īn investigation by The Associated Press has found that the couple work closely with others prominent in the anti-vaccine movement - including Robert F. Her husband, Ty, promises a “director’s cut edition,” and over 100 hours of additional footage.Ĭlick the orange button, his wife says, “to join in the fight for health freedom” - or more specifically, to pay $199 to $499 for the Bollingers’ video series, “The Truth About Vaccines 2020.” “You’re going to love owning the platinum package,” Charlene Bollinger tells viewers, as a picture of a DVD set, booklets and other products flashes on screen. The couple in the website videos could be hawking any number of products.
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