When Leaders Echo Lies: The Danger of Promoting “MedBed” Pseudoscience

Some headlines come across your screen and make you do a double take. Recently, I saw one that made me pause in frustration and disbelief: “White House tries to defend Trump amplifying bizarre ‘MedBed’ pseudoscience.”

Now I’ve seen a lot over the years—served this country, faced my fair share of adversity, and witnessed what happens when power is left unchecked. But when the people entrusted with leading this country start echoing conspiracy theories instead of science, we’ve got a deeper sickness on our hands.

The “Magic Beds” and the Myth of MedBeds

Let’s talk about what this is all about, for those who don’t follow internet rabbit holes. “MedBeds,” short for “medical beds,” are part of a pseudoscientific fantasy promoted by certain fringe communities online. They claim these beds—futuristic pods straight out of a sci-fi movie—can regenerate organs, reverse aging, heal chronic illnesses, or cure cancer in minutes. It’s sold as advanced alien or suppressed government tech finally coming to save humanity.

There’s zero scientific basis for any of this. No FDA approval. No peer-reviewed research. Absolutely no connection to reality. But millions of vulnerable people, especially those struggling with chronic illness or financial hardship, are being misled into believing these things are real—and that salvation is just an “awakening” away.

When former President Donald Trump chose to repost a video promoting this myth, it wasn’t a meaningless slip. It was yet another amplification of dangerous disinformation to a rabid base eager for hope—no matter how false.

Karoline Leavitt’s Deafening Silence

Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s national press secretary, had several days to respond to this. This wasn’t a live gaffe or someone catching the wrong clip—this was deliberate engagement with a delusion. And yet, she couldn’t give a meaningful answer.

Instead, Leavitt brushed off media inquiries, dodged the hard questions, and ultimately echoed a now-familiar pattern: say nothing, deflect, or muddy the waters until folks are too distracted to notice. That, to me, is cowardice dressed up in political calculation.

The Real Harm of Pseudoscientific Hype

Some reading this might wonder: “What’s the big deal? It’s just a post. Just a video.” But for those of us who have lived in communities where healthcare is unaffordable, where veterans suffer in silence without proper treatment, or where people are taken advantage of because they’re too desperate not to believe—this isn’t harmless.

I’ve known folks—decent folks—who’ve put their last dime into snake oil, sent checks to con-men claiming cures were just around the corner. I’ve seen veterans skip their meds because someone online said something “natural” could replace it. And it’s not just false hope—it’s dangerous distraction from the real work of holding our healthcare system accountable and equitable.

Every time a public figure with a massive microphone spreads these lies, that harm multiplies. And when no one in their circle has the decency to say, “This is wrong,” the rot grows deeper.

Accountability Still Matters

We’re in a time where truth feels like it’s on life support in some circles. People want easy answers, silver bullets, and magical fixes to very real suffering. I get it—believe me, I do. But we cannot afford to have our leaders peddling hallucinations while millions suffer without real medicine, mental health care, or basic insurance.

We expect our presidents and their spokespeople to be responsible stewards of influence. That post was not just a glitch in the algorithm—it was a signal. And the silence from advisors like Karoline Leavitt speaks volumes about the values driving their campaign.

If this is what some call leadership, then we’re in worse shape than we thought.

A Lesson from the Trenches

When I was in uniform, we were taught that the truth could save lives. In the middle of combat or a crisis, there’s no room for magical thinking. You assess the facts, act with integrity, and look out for your people.

That standard shouldn’t end when you step off the battlefield or leave government service. In fact, it’s needed more than ever in boardrooms, press briefings, and campaign platforms.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Fall for Distraction

We’re more than clickbait. We deserve better than leaders peddling pseudoscience to score points with conspiracy theorists. We need truth tellers, not truth stretchers. People who speak clearly—not just when it’s convenient, but especially when it’s hard.

If you’re reading this, I hope you’ll remember this: Don’t let hype drown out hope. Ask the tough