Joseph Mercola

Joseph Mercola (1954 - ) is an American osteopath who is an advocate of so-called “alternative” medicine.

Created in 1998, Mercola.com is one of the most popular alternative health platforms in the world and the flagship of a vast digital empire of disinformation. It features anti-vaccination and pseudo-scientific content as well as the promotion of dietary supplements and other products for sale. Mercola's business is estimated to generate annual revenues of around $7.2 million, according to a study by the Center for Countering Digital Hate.

Mercola is notorious for being one of the most influential anti-vaxx disinformers. 

At the height of the pandemic he promoted a new Stop Covid site, designed to offer alternative treatments for the virus. Stop Covid was eventually taken down in April 2020 following a warning from the Food and Drug Administration.

Mercola also uses part of his fortune to fund other anti-vaccine websites such as National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), to which he has reportedly allocated more than $3.3 million over the past decade.

He is the author of books about the evils of 5G, the bird flu “hoax” and The Truth About Covid-19, which became an Amazon's bestseller.

Mercola's Facebook page has 2.8 million followers. 

Further reading:

“A major funder of the anti-vaccine movement has made millions selling natural health products” The Washington Post, December 20, 2019.