Madonna has been trending on social media this week… for good and bad reasons. On Monday it was revealed that she and Missy Elliot would feature on a remix of Dua Lipa’s latest single (hooray!).
Then, yesterday, she found herself wading into COVID-19 controversy by posting an Instagram update that appeared to support a controversial doctor’s views on coronavirus.
The medic in question is Dr. Stella Immanuel, 55. The Texas-based medic, who is also a preacher, was among a handful of doctors who traveled to Washington DC to lobby Congress on July 27 as part of America’s Frontline Doctors Summit.
The doctors gave speeches espousing their views about COVID-19. Immanuel claimed hydroxychloroquine was a cure for the virus, adding “you don’t need a mask.” She said any study doubting the drug’s efficacy was “fake science.”
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Related: Trump’s new COVID expert compares marriage equality to terrorism, says vaccines have alien DNA
The speech was filmed and posted online. It was later removed by Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. The tech giants are cracking down on the spread of misinformation about COVID-19. The FDA has ruled hydroxychloroquine has not been proven to work as a treatment for COVID-19 and can have harmful side effects.
In a statement, Facebook said, “We’ve removed this video for sharing false information about cures and treatments for Covid-19.”
However, Immanuel’s speech gained traction after it was tweeted by Donald Trump Jnr, who called the video “a must-watch.”
As a result, Twitter locked down Donald Trump Jnr’s Twitter account for 12 hours.
The footage was also retweeted by President Trump himself. Trump Snr has been consistent in his promotion of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment option.
It also led to a media blitz on Dr. Immanuel, with journalists investigating her background and beliefs. Among other things, she has spoken out about how certain medical conditions (such as endometriosis, infertility and impotence) are due to people having sex in their dreams with witches and demons. She runs her own Fire Power Ministries on a mall next to her surgery in Houston. On her Facebook page, she describes herself as a ‘Physician, Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur, Deliverance Minister, God’s battle axe and weapon of war.’
Her church, on a now-deleted web page, said it stands against, “unmarried couples living together, homosexuality, bestiality, polygamy, etc.,” according to Heavy.
It was therefore surprising to see pop queen Madonna post a link to the Washington DC summit video yesterday.
Madonna added a caption saying, “The truth will set us all free! But some people don’t want to hear the truth. Especially the people in power who stand to make money from this long drawn out search for a vaccine Which has been proven and available for months. They would rather let fear control them and let the rich get richer and the poor and sick get sicker. This woman is my hero … Thank you Stella Immanuel.”
Her fans were quick to criticize her for sharing the video. Among those to comment was fellow singer Annie Lennox, who said, “This is utter madness!!! I can’t believe that you are endorsing this dangerous quackery. Hopefully your site has been hacked and you’re just about to explain it.”
Instagram later censored Madonna’s posting, blurring it and warning viewers that moderators had fact-checked the posting and found it lacking in… well, facts.
Related: Madonna calls COVID-19 ‘the great equalizer’ in bizarre, deleted bathtub video
A screenshot of the censored post was shared online by LGBTQ activist Evan Ross Katz. Perfectly summing up the views of many of her gay fans, Ross said, “Why is she like this? 🤦♀️”
Why is she like this? 🤦♀️ pic.twitter.com/LpVM3lcNRj
— Ξvan Ross Katz (@evanrosskatz) July 29, 2020
Madonna’s Instagram posting has now been deleted. She has not made any further comment about its posting or deletion. Here’s hoping someone alerted the singer to the FDA’s views on hydroxychloroquine and Dr. Immanuel’s other views.
Cam
Many celebs, especially people who have spent years engaged in any quack science to fight against aging, have bought into the anti-Vax B.S. Remember Jessica Biel lobbying California legislatures to prevent the state medical board from examining doctors giving vaccine exemptions due to “Allergies” to make sure the exemptions were legitimate.
These people, (All vaccinated themselves) are nuts. Madonna is just one of them. The Trump organisation has a small stake in a company that makes Hydorcholoquin. So if you’re taking about people making money, look there Madge.
Oh and lastly, this woman is an anti-LGBTQ bigot, so nice to see that Madonna is SO concerned about the only group still listening to her music.
Kangol2
WTF, Madonna? I know this pandemic has pushed people to the brink mentally, but psychologists are still working so please, get help and do not endanger the lives of millions by promoting deranged nonsense from homophobic, transphobic Christianist quacks like Stella Immanuel!
ThinkPIease
Cam, remember the Clintons and Obama were also anti-LGBTQ bigots!
Google this “Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine Cut Death Rate Significantly in COVID-19 Patients, Henry Ford Health System Study Shows.”
Hdtex
“ThinkPlease” showing yet again that she lacks any cognitive ability and shares the IQ of belly button lint.
Cam
What’s adorable is that you right wing troll accounts keep DESPERATELY trying to push the line that somebody who was against same sex marriage 20 years ago, changed their opinion and then pushed through LGBTQ civil rights laws is somehow the same as people who are attacking LGBTQ people today.
It’s so cute how you have to go back so far and you still can’t find Democrat bigots as bad as the current crop of Republicans.
Oh and a HUGE thank you for showing that the troll running that account is also a Covid conspiracy nut. It makes it even easier to point you out and mock you.
Isn’t it funny that all these Republican doctors, or private hospitals with conservative board members aren’t coming forward with a list of patients they’ve cured with the stuff.
But keep on trying Boris.
Chrisk
Except they glossed over reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
The FDA has come out against it saying it’s shown no benefit.
HDTex
Make love to me again.
ShiningSex
You are spread fake news. Sit down!!!
amanwithanedge
your facts are wrong. good night.
Hdtex
Madonna showing just how low she’ll go for any sort of attention. How embarrassing.
Chrisk
Honestly I don’t think Madonna researched this “Dr” out much. She strikes me as the type that will fall for quackery though.
Annie Lennox: “hopefully your site has been hacked and you’re just about to explain it.”.. In other words, please tell me you’re really not that stupid. Lol
Cam
Phenomenal shade from Ms Lennox. lol
Jim
A has been, media whore! Any questions?
HDTex
I think she’s great. We all need to support this doctor.
Cam
So your theft of Black Pegasus’s screename and of ThinkPlease’s screename got called out, so now you tried it with HDTex?
Not subtle are you?
HDTex
I really just want stuff up my butt.
WSnyder
Why I don’t have a Twitter account and never will. People put WAY too much stock into posts and they believe that the number of re-tweets and/or who posts or re-posts gives it some sort of validity. A lie remains a lie regardless of how many people say it and even if your favorite singer or actor says it, IT’S STILL A LIE. The Earth is Flat, Vaccines cause Autism, the Moon Landings are Fake, the CIA killed JFK and it goes on and on. Just because 750k re-tweeted it, or you see it on Alfred E Neuman’s Twitter page does not make any more true, yet people buy into this mass-hysteria, celebrity fueled narrative.
Cam
I get what you’re saying, but one nice thing about Twitter is that it also amplifies news media doesn’t want reported.
i.e. Twitter is keeping the Russian bounty stories up, Twitter went after the NYTimes for Tom Cotton’s Op Ed pushing out verified lies, Twitter kept CBS from paying out Matt Laur’s contract and from giving Lex Moonves a 100 million dollar bonus when he was fired for sexually harassing women. And it’s giving publicity to a lot of the police brutality. The George Floyd murder went up on Twitter early before media was covering it.
graphicjack
She clearly posted this without having all the facts, then deleted it. Why is this news? I’m pretty confident that virtually anyone on social media has posted something stupid without having all the facts, to then take it down when they do. She’s been our ally for decades, but ageism, sexism and cancel culture are all contributing to try to take her down, something she’s had to fight for herself, women, POC and the queer community she’s championed for her whole career. She’s made some blunders for sure in the past, but this is hardly one of them that’s all that serious. Let it go.
Lord, I’d hate to be a celebrity. All people want to do is tear you to shreds the second you burp in public. I think this is the new form of gladiatorial combat where we enjoy hurting people for our entertainment.
ShiningSex
Making a stupid post like she did just fuels morons like Trump and the Trumptards. That’s why it is news. She’s tired and don’t give a f*ck that she was an ally. Ask some of the queens that were on the Blonde Ambition tour that felt she treated them like their “orientation” was a flaw. If you don’t know what I am talking about, look it up. I remember when several felt she mistreated them.
ShiningSex
Madonna is a has been. She is tired and hasn’t been relevant in over a decade. Just go away b*tch.
Prowelsh56
Madonna added a caption saying, “The truth will set us all free! But some people don’t want to hear the truth. Especially the people in power who stand to make money from this long drawn out search for a vaccine Which has been proven and available for months. They would rather let fear control them and let the rich get richer and the poor and sick get sicker. This woman is my hero … Thank you Stella Immanuel.”
She just made herself IRRELEVANT. She moves to the realm of stupid. STOP MAKING STUPID PEOPLE FAMOUS.
ScottOnEarth
As successful and cool as Madonna used to be, the fact is that she now exists in a strange realm of total irrelevance, which she pretends to ignore. Her music is completely pedestrian and forgettable. She is no longer beautiful, young, fit and a fashion icon, which were fundamental to her appeal. Worst of all, she is completely out-of-touch and lives in a bubble of the ultra-wealthy, untouchable legend she has become and has no connection with the real world. Seeing what she has done to her face and her sad attempts at still being cutting-edge and rebellious are just pitiful to observe. She clearly had no idea that she was endorsing a complete lunatic whom the fake president also supports.
Kevan1
She has lost her mind.
madridstangelo
WHERE’S THE PARTY?? It’s OVER here Madge…the word OVER being the operative word. I have maintained a love/hate ‘relationship’ with Madonna since the early/mid 80’s, and admittedly never missed a tour, own every lp/cd/dvd, blah, blah, blah. But ONCE AGAIN Madge’s vain glorious STUPIDITY has reared its head. She did this back in the 80’s…when she fashioned herself, posturing all over as an AIDS ADVOCATE…spouting out insane amounts of shallow no nothingness re: the crisis killing thousands of fellow NY’ers. And now THIS…THIS! She’s a great entertainer. A decent singer…yeah, even a Queen. But let’s be totally clear here….SHE’S A VERY, VERY, VERY STUPID PERSON.
barryaksarben
ThinkPlease is such an idiot. You have never convinced ONE person on this site to follow your homophobic sophomoric silly attempts to fool anyone. Go away or stay but YOU DONT MATTER
HDTex
But he’s hot.
Toofie
People get a sample of something and hit share without checking it out. It’s ridiculous. Verify things before spreading it. It’s. Not. That. Hard.
CityguyUSA
Crappy doctors are a dime a dozen just like crappy customer service.