Woody Harrelson created some rather controversial backlash after recently appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Saturday, the 22 February. They were discussing Dr. Anthony Fauci and he confidently called him “extraordinarily evil” based on his role in promoting azidothymidine (AZT). AZT is the first antiretroviral drug approved for treating HIV/AIDS.
Woody Harrelson claimed that AZT is “highly toxic” and “really ineffective.” He accused Fauci of “killing friends” who it was prescribed to. The actor’s comments were taken seriously by many, stirring up the controversy around the early HIV/AIDS treatments and Fauci’s legacy.
A Look Back at AZT and Fauci’s Role
AZT was first approved for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in 1987. At the time, it was considered groundbreaking, a huge step up from where we were at the time with modern medicine. But thereafter, debates about its toxicity and efficacy have persisted.
The pivotal role was in Dr. Fauci’s hands throughout the HIV/AIDS epidemic and later the COVID-19 pandemic. He was responsible for its distribution. Harrelson resurrected the age-long debate and how Fauci was responsible for the incorrect public health policies and medical interventions.
Harrelson’s Claims on “Extraordinarily Evil” Actions
Harrelson was determined to prove his point throughout the podcast, stating, “AZT was known to be a highly toxic, really ineffective drug, and of course, that was the one they picked. They started using that again, and I don’t know how many people got killed. That killed friends of mine.”
“AZT was very toxic and they finally had to yank it. Now they use different chemical cocktails, but Fauci did some extraordinarily evil s**t.” While provocative, his claims lack any scientific backing as there is no hard evidence that AZT is universally toxic or ineffective.
Read More: Mel Gibson’s Latest Theory: Wild and Outrageous, Even by His Standards
Praise for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Views
Prominent anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been highly praised by Woody Harrelson. He is well-known for spreading controversial theories, including claims that Lyme disease originated as a military weapon. Woody’s endorsement of Kennedy’s views brings him even closer to the ever-growing group of public figures who have been questioning the established medical scene.
Backlash from the Public and Medical Experts
Backlash poured in after Woody Harrelson spoke out, especially from those who were around at the height of the AIDS epidemic. One critic remarked, “AZT was all we had, and it kept a lot of people alive for a lot longer than they would otherwise have had.”
They added, “Joe Rogan and Woody Harrelson exhibit a willful, belligerent ignorance I find hard to comprehend. It’s like they love being stupid – and wrong.” Many medical experts have spoken out, stating that while AZT may not be perfect, it built the foundational blocks for the now lifesaving therapies utilized today.
A History of Controversial Statements
This is not the first time Woody Harrelson has been under fire for his views of the public health system. He sparked a debate in 2023 while on a Saturday Night Live monologue. He made a joke about COVID-19 restrictions which led to him being accused of pushing conspiratorial ideas. His appearance on the Rogan podcast cemented concerns about celebrities and their misuse of platforms to spread misinformation.
Read More: Seventeen “Conspiracy Theories” That Turned Out To Be Completely True