Episode 2254: Mel Gibson

Overview

In this January 2025 episode, actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson made multiple dangerous medical claims that spread widely across social media, garnering tens of millions of views. The episode primarily featured unsubstantiated claims about cancer “cures” using veterinary dewormers and misinformation about COVID-19 treatments, prompting official responses from health organizations including the Canadian Cancer Society.

Key Issues

Ivermectin and Fenbendazole as Cancer “Cures”

Gibson claimed that three of his friends with stage four cancer were “cured” after taking ivermectin and fenbendazole, two drugs primarily used as dewormers in animals. He stated his friends “don’t have any sign of the disease at all” after using these medications alongside other treatments.

The Reality:

• No reliable evidence: Multiple fact-checking organizations including Science Feedback, AFP, and the Canadian Press confirmed there is no reliable evidence showing either ivermectin or fenbendazole can cure cancer in humans
• Laboratory only: While both drugs have shown some anticancer effects in laboratory cells and mice, laboratory studies cannot provide sufficient evidence to determine efficacy in people
• Untested in humans: Neither drug has been properly tested as a cancer treatment, meaning their potential benefits and side effects in cancer patients are unknown
• Not recommended: Neither ivermectin nor fenbendazole are currently recommended for cancer treatment by any major medical organization

Official Response: The Canadian Cancer Society issued a statement calling Gibson’s claims “dangerous, cruel, irresponsible and gives false hope to people with cancer and their loved ones.”

Remdesivir Misinformation

Gibson claimed he was given remdesivir when hospitalized for COVID-19 and that he “couldn’t walk for three months” after taking it. He suggested the drug “kills you” and connected it to conspiracy theories about Dr. Anthony Fauci.

The Reality:

• FDA approved: Remdesivir is the only antiviral medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat COVID-19
• Evidence of benefit: Studies have shown remdesivir can lead to faster recovery times for hospitalized patients. A meta-analysis of three clinical trials indicated that remdesivir significantly reduces mortality compared to placebo
• Safety profile: While remdesivir does have some adverse effects (including reports of liver and kidney problems that warrant monitoring), claims that it has a high “kill rate” are false and misrepresent clinical trial data
• Timing matters: Research shows remdesivir is potentially safe and effective, especially when used during the early course of the disease

PolitiFact rated claims that “hospitals killed COVID-19 patients with remdesivir” as False, noting such claims “distort what those trials showed.”

Other Problematic Content

The episode also featured:

• Claims about Hollywood’s suppression of Christian films
• Suggestions of media censorship regarding bestseller lists
• Discussion of pharmaceutical industry conspiracies
• Criticism of Catholic Church leadership

While some topics involved legitimate discussion of Gibson’s filmmaking experiences, the episode’s promotion of unproven medical treatments represents a serious public health concern.

Fact-Checks and Rebuttals

On Cancer Treatment Claims:

Science Feedback: “There is no reliable evidence showing that either ivermectin or fenbendazole can cure cancer in people. Though both drugs have shown promising effects in laboratory cells and animals, these results don’t demonstrate they are safe and effective for treating cancer in people.”

The Canadian Press: “Claims that ivermectin or fenbendazole effectively treat or cure cancer are not supported by medical evidence. While some preclinical studies showed promising results, experts in cancer research and pharmacology say human clinical trials are needed to show evidence of the drugs’ effectiveness for use in cancer treatment.”

AFP Fact Check: “Ivermectin and fenbendazole are not currently recommended for cancer treatment.”

On Remdesivir Claims:

FactCheck.org: “Clinical trials find no increase in mortality among COVID-19 patients treated with remdesivir, contrary to viral claim.”

Medical Research: “A meta-analysis of three clinical trials indicated that administration of remdesivir significantly reduces mortality compared to placebo. Remdesivir is a potentially safe and effective antiviral that shows clinical improvement especially when used during the early course of the disease.”

Real-World Harm

The viral spread of these claims has real consequences:

1. False Hope: Cancer patients may delay or abandon proven treatments in favor of unproven alternatives, reducing their chances of survival
2. Medication Misuse: People may self-medicate with veterinary dewormers, which can cause serious side effects when used improperly
3. Undermining Public Health: Misinformation about approved COVID-19 treatments like remdesivir erodes trust in evidence-based medicine
4. Viral Reach: Clips from this episode received over 60 million views on social media platforms, amplifying the potential for harm

The episode demonstrates the significant public health risk when celebrities with large platforms promote medical misinformation, particularly when those claims are uncritically broadcast to millions of listeners.

Conclusion

Episode 2254 represents a clear case of dangerous medical misinformation being amplified through a major media platform. Mel Gibson, who has no medical training or expertise, made unsubstantiated claims about cancer “cures” and COVID-19 treatments that directly contradict established medical evidence. These claims prompted official rebukes from health organizations and were systematically debunked by multiple fact-checking organizations.

The episode’s viral reach—with clips garnering tens of millions of views—illustrates the urgent need for podcast platforms to implement stronger measures against health misinformation. When unqualified individuals make false medical claims to audiences of millions, the potential for real-world harm is substantial, particularly for vulnerable populations like cancer patients seeking hope and COVID-19 patients making treatment decisions.