False claim spreads about Kennedy banning pharma ads

A post on social media claimed that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. planned to ban pharmaceutical ads on television. This news excited many people, but it was not true. Kennedy himself made no such announcement, and the Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed that there are no plans to ban these ads. The misleading post came from an account called "Unusual Whales," which focuses on unusual stock trading activity. After the claim surfaced, many politicians and media figures applauded the idea. For example, Senator Josh Hawley praised it, and others engaged in discussions about the implications of such a ban. However, HHS clarified that the information was false. The incident highlighted how quickly misinformation can spread online, especially on platforms like X. Although the platform has a feature for users to add context, this particular post did not receive any corrections. Kennedy has expressed the goal to eliminate pharmaceutical ads on TV, a topic he often discusses. Only the U.S. and New Zealand currently allow unrestricted pharmaceutical advertising. Past efforts to ban these ads have faced legal challenges, as courts consider such advertisements protected speech. The pharmaceutical advertising industry has grown significantly, reaching nearly $40 billion in 2025, compared to $12.2 billion in 2015. Kennedy has found support for his views, including from figures like Elon Musk and FCC chair Brendan Carr, who have shown interest in enforcing a ban on these advertisements.