New York attorney general sends letter to televangelist Jim Bakker amid coronavirus concerns

The office of New York Attorney General Letitia James sent a letter to Jim Bakker this week, warning the longtime televangelist not to mislead viewers about products that could eliminate coronavirus.

James’s office said in the Tuesday cease-and-desist notification that on Bakker’s February 12 show, a guest discussed a dietary supplement called Silver Solution, which is now sold on the “The Jim Bakker Show’s” website. The guest, Sherrill Sellman, said that the product had not been tested specifically on the coronavirus that has infected tens of thousands worldwide, but it had eliminated other strains of the coronavirus in a span of 12 hours.

Silver Solution costs $200 for a dozen 16-ounce bottles on Bakker’s show’s website. James said in the letter that there is no medicine available to prevent or cure coronavirus. 

“The 2019 novel coronavirus poses serious consequences to public health, and consumers are concerned as to how they can best protect themselves and their families,” James said in the letter. “Your show’s segment may mislead consumers as to the effectiveness of the Silver Solution product in protecting against the current outbreak.”

The attorney general’s office also advised Bakker to include a disclaimer that “these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

Bakker rose to prominence in the 1980s through the PTL television ministry.

The Hill has reached out to “The Jim Bakker Show” for comment.