No, this isn’t an authentic video of Kevin Costner, Dr. Mehmet Oz, discussing lung disease treatment


Dr. Mehmet Oz in 2022
Mehmet Oz, then a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, speaks during a campaign event in Harrisburg, Pa., Oct. 26, 2022. (AP)

A Facebook video that cobbles together unrelated footage of two celebrities to promote a purported cure for lung diseases isn’t authentic, despite the post’s claim that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD — a term used to describe conditions including emphysema — “will disappear in 3 days.”

“Several years ago, I was diagnosed with COPD,” actor Kevin Costner appeared to say in the video as the text “COPD it disappears in two or three days… You can buy it in any drugstore it’s called …” appeared below. “I was really scared. I decided to trust Dr. O Z to treat my lung condition. He found me a healthier option. By day seven of starting I felt back to my old self. My breathing smoothed out and the constant cough disappeared.”

The video then cut to Dr. Mehmet Oz, a heart surgeon, former talk show host and President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

“Are you still troubled by lung disease?” Oz appeared to say in the video. “But now there is help for it to be cured. We have invented a revolutionary pill — 60 specially designed natural herbs treating respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis and prevent future complications.”  

This post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads.)

The video is altered. Both men sound robotic, and their words don’t consistently sync with their mouths’ movements. 

The Costner footage comes from a June interview on “The Rich Eisen Show,” in which he discussed his career — not lung disease and Oz.

The Oz footage is also from June but in the year 2012, when People magazine posted a clip of him on YouTube discussing healthy eating habits.

In December 2012, Oz posted a Facebook message thanking people for reporting “fraudulent ads” through a page on his “Oz Watch” website.

 “Remember,” he said. “I don’t endorse anything, so if you see something using my name or likeness, it’s fake!” 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease “is (currently) an incurable disease,” according to the COPD Foundation. “But with the right diagnosis and treatment, there are many things you can do to breathe better and enjoy life and live for many years.” 

We rate claims this video is authentic False.

Truth-o-meter Ruling

False

IF YOUR TIME IS SHORT

  • This video was altered. 

Statement

Video shows actor Kevin Costner and Dr. Mehmet Oz discussing treatment for chronic lung diseases.

Context

a Facebook post

Speaker/Target

Targets: Mehmet Oz

Statement Date

December 3, 2024
Our Sources

Facebook post, Dec. 3, 2024

YouTube, Kevin Costner Talks ‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ ‘Bull Durham’ & More w/ Rich Eisen | Full Interview, June 25, 2024

COPD Foundation, What is COPD?, visited Dec. 10, 2024

YouTube, Dr. Oz Shares His Healthy Eating Tips | People, June 20, 2012

The Washington Post, Watchdog group asks FTC to investigate Dr. Oz’s influencer marketing, Dec. 3, 2024

Dr. Oz Facebook post, Dec. 28, 2012

 

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