Feds offer forgiveness of $1 million in PPP loans to anti-vax business owners

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has granted millions in pandemic loan forgiveness to business owners who spread harmful disinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine, The Daily Beast reports.

The publication reports that Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgiveness was given to the Children's Health Defense Co, an anti-vaccine activist group founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., described as being "perhaps the most famous anti-vaccine advocate in America."

Kennedy co-authored the book, "Plague of Corruption," with Dr. Judy Mikovits, who went viral last year after releasing the highly controversial "Plandemic" documentary.

The publication notes that both works include "numerous false claims about the origin of the novel coronavirus, the safety of masks, and the conduct of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director (NIAID) Dr. Anthony Fauci."

In addition to Kennedy's organization, other companies owned by anti-vaxxers also received funding.

TTAC Publishing, owned by anti-vaxxers Ty and Charlene Bollinger received forgiveness for more than $250,000 after spreading disinformation about the pandemic and attending former President Donald Trump's "Save America" rally to halt President Joe Biden's Electoral College certification. Dr. Kelly Brogan, a psychiatrist, and known conspiracy theorist, also received forgiveness for the PPP loan she received for her Miami-based medical practice.

Dr. Joseph Mercola, an osteopathic physician who has made millions promoting unproven dietary supplements, pushed back when he was questioned about the hundreds of thousands of dollars he received under the PPP last spring. Mercola argues that there is no verbiage in the PPP application to prohibit certain people from receiving funding or forgiveness.

"I would encourage you to carefully review the PPP loan application as I could not find anywhere that one must profess undying loyalty and adherence to vaccine propaganda," Mercola wrote in an email to the Beast.