Senator Ron Johnson Endorses Controversial Chemical for Health Treatments

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson has endorsed a controversial health theory that promotes the use of chlorine dioxide, a chemical commonly found in bleach, as a treatment for various conditions, including cancer and autism. Johnson’s endorsement comes alongside the release of a new book titled The War on Chlorine Dioxide: The Medicine that Could End Medicine by Dr. Pierre Kory. Kory previously lost his medical board certifications in 2024 for continuing to advocate for the use of ivermectin as a treatment for long COVID.

In the book, Kory claims that there is a global conspiracy involving public health officials and the pharmaceutical industry to suppress information about the potential benefits of chlorine dioxide. Johnson describes the book as “a gripping tale of corruption and courage that will open eyes and prompt serious questions.”

Chlorine dioxide is primarily utilized as a disinfectant in various settings, including hospitals and laboratories. Its use in medical treatments for humans is not supported by scientific evidence. Experts have raised significant concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of chlorine dioxide. Dr. Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, labeled Kory’s assertions as “lunacy” and emphasized that at high concentrations, chlorine dioxide can be highly toxic. He stated, “It is a poison, not a cure for anything.”

Johnson confirmed his endorsement of the book to ProPublica, stating, “After reading the entire book, yes, I provided and approved that blurb.” When asked about the scientific validity of Kory’s claims, Johnson redirected the inquiry, asking, “Have you read the book?”

This is not the first time Johnson has aligned himself with Kory’s controversial medical views. The senator has previously invited Kory to testify before the Senate on two occasions, during which Kory claimed that ivermectin could effectively treat COVID-19. Multiple clinical trials have shown no evidence to support this assertion, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has explicitly warned against using ivermectin for COVID-19, stating it has not authorized or approved the drug for this purpose.

In a joint op-ed published in 2022 by Fox News, Johnson and Kory opposed a California bill aimed at revoking medical licenses for doctors who spread misinformation about COVID-19. Over the years, Johnson has garnered attention for promoting various unfounded health theories. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he made claims about athletes suffering severe consequences after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and suggested that the pandemic was orchestrated by an elite group seeking to control society.

The endorsement of chlorine dioxide as a treatment echoes a similar, widely criticized suggestion made by former President Donald Trump, who in his first term infamously proposed injecting bleach as a potential remedy for COVID-19. As debates about health misinformation continue, the implications of Johnson’s latest endorsement raise significant concerns about the intersection of politics and public health.