Prior to peddling misinformation about HIV and AIDS, Rogan, Kennedy, and Rodgers had already gained notoriety for promoting fringe theories regarding the coronavirus’s mysterious beginnings, as well as vociferously challenging established public health protocols such as vaccinations, physical distancing, and mask mandates. Ivermectin, a drug primarily used to combat parasitic infections, has been misconceived by three influential males as part of a conspiracy theory, with some claiming it is being hoarded by the US government at the behest of pharmaceutical companies for sinister purposes.
Tara Smith, an infectious disease epidemiologist and professor at Kent State University’s College of Public Health, observes that AIDS denialists have emerged from the ranks of COVID-19 deniers, a phenomenon she closely monitors in her work tracking conspiratorial narratives surrounding illness and public health. As the pandemic raged on, she initially spotted the trend of misinformation spreading through social media channels driven by COVID-19 skepticism; individuals were questioning, in her words, “If COVID-19 doesn’t exist, what other truths have we been misled about?”
Unlike HIV, which disproportionately affected certain groups, COVID-19’s global reach resulted in far-reaching consequences for everyone, with the decisions made regarding COVID-19 testing, treatment, and mitigation strategies affecting all populations indiscriminately.
The COVID-19 pandemic proved an ideal breeding ground for suspicion, observes Kalichman, citing the stark contrast between its far-reaching impact and the disparate outcomes stemming from individual decisions regarding vaccination.
“The COVID-19 phenomenon, rather than the pandemic itself, created an opportunity for AIDS denialism to resurface.”
Denialists such as Peter Duesberg, a former Berkeley biologist notorious for initially suggesting that AIDS is caused by prescribed drugs or recreational medications, have been countered by experts like Celia Farber and Rebecca Y. Two experts, Culshaw, a journalist, and researchers who have independently scrutinized the prevailing HIV/AIDS narrative, expressing skepticism over its accuracy. Farber explains that she prefers to describe the era as “AIDS dissent” rather than “denialism,” stating, “The term ‘denialism’ is a pejorative and overly emotive label.”
As public trust in health institutions falters, the AIDS denialist movement is experiencing a resurgence fueled by technological advancements: vast-reaching platforms like X, Substack, Amazon, and Spotify, as well as newer ones lacking robust moderation policies for medical misinformation, such as Rumble, Gab, and Telegram.
Spotify has maintained its laissez-faire approach to handling Joe Rogan’s content, despite controversy surrounding his recent comments on AIDS, while simultaneously rewarding him with an astonishing $250 million deal, signed just weeks prior to the incident. Amazon currently offers Peter Duesberg’s out-of-print 1996 e-book at no cost as part of its Audible programme trial, while simultaneously making three of Robert Culshaw’s titles available for free with either an Audible or Kindle Unlimited subscription trial. With over 28,000 subscribers on his Substack, Farber’s online presence is notable.
AP PHOTO/SUSAN RAGAN
Despite submitting requests for comment, Spotify, Substack, Rumble, and Telegram failed to respond. Meanwhile, Meta and Amazon acknowledged receipt of the inquiry but ultimately declined to provide answers, leaving only X’s press office with a generic automated response. The email to Gab’s press contact was returned as undeliverable.
While the current wave of AIDS denialism may not currently wield the same influence as its predecessors, it still poses profoundly detrimental consequences for individuals affected by the disease as well as society at large. If these concepts gain sufficient momentum, potentially imperiling funding for AIDS research and treatment programs. Researchers still grappling with the devastating consequences of South Africa’s adoption of AIDS denialism as official policy in the late 1990s and early 2000s; a staggering estimate suggests that between 2000 and 2005, approximately 350,000 premature deaths occurred due to the nation’s misguided public health policies. On a personal level, devastating consequences arise when individuals with HIV are discouraged from seeking treatment or attempting to prevent the virus’s spread by taking medication or using condoms; a 2010 study found that among those who refuse treatment is linked to poor health outcomes, including increased hospitalization rates, HIV-related symptoms, and detectable viral loads.
