Joe Grinsteiner, a lively online figure, has stirred up attention with his unusual promotion of ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug. In a recent Facebook video, he demonstrated this by squeezing a tube of veterinary-grade ivermectin paste, typically used for deworming horses, and then licking it off his hand. “Yum,” he remarked, adding humorously that it tasted like “dead cancer.” This video is just one of many he has shared, which have collectively garnered millions of views.
Grinsteiner, who is 54 years old, lives in rural Michigan and is known for his support of former President Trump and his career in country music. He claims that ivermectin has cured his skin cancer and his wife’s cervical cancer. He also shared a story about a woman who told him her nonverbal autistic child began to speak after taking the drug. In a phone interview, Grinsteiner mentioned that he takes ivermectin daily for his overall health.
Interest in ivermectin surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, fueled by false claims that it could prevent or treat the virus. Despite ongoing warnings from health officials about the drug’s limited medical benefits, its popularity is rising again, especially among conservative circles, where right-wing influencers are promoting it.
However, medical experts have consistently stated that there is no evidence supporting the use of ivermectin for treating cancer or autism. Grinsteiner believes that the medical and political establishments are trying to keep people from discovering the drug’s potential benefits, which he views as an affordable treatment option.
As the conversation around ivermectin continues, Grinsteiner’s bold claims and antics highlight the ongoing debate over alternative treatments and the influence of social media on public health perceptions.