Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
No, Rand Paul’s medical license wasn’t revoked
If Your Time is short
- This claim originated in a self-described satirical post.
YouTube recently suspended Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., after he posted a video questioning the effectiveness of masks against COVID-19. But did Paul, an ophthalmologist, also lose his medical license?
That’s the word on social media. Still, don’t believe everything you read there.
"Rand Paul’s medical license was just revoked!" one post said. Another claimed that the American Medical Association "revoked the ophthalmologist's ability due to ‘ethical concerns’ and Paul’s ‘blatant disregard for the Hippocratic Oath.’"
These posts were flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
That’s because this claim originated on a satirical section of a website called Patheos.
Featured Fact-check
The text about Paul losing his license due to "ethical concerns" comes straight from an Aug. 10 post on Patheos tagged as satire.
But that context is missing in the posts that are being shared on social media.
According to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, Paul is an active, licensed physician.
We rate this post Pants on Fire!
Our Sources
Facebook post, Aug. 11, 2021
Instagram post, Aug. 11, 2021
The New York Times, YouTube suspends Rand Paul for a week over a video disputing the effectiveness of masks, Aug. 11, 2021
PolitiFact, Mask skeptics ask questions. PolitiFact answers, March 16, 2021
Patheos, Senator Rand Paul’s medical license revoked, Aug. 10, 2021
Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, Rand Paul, visited Aug. 13, 2021
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Ciara O'Rourke
No, Rand Paul’s medical license wasn’t revoked
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.