Editor’s Note (5/21/25): Following the publication of this article (and a related second article), Christiane Northrup, through legal representatives, has alleged that Media Matters’ characterizations of her actions and beliefs are inaccurate. Specifically, Northrup argues that it is inaccurate to describe her as “discredited,” to characterize her as having promoted Hitler, and to describe her as an “antisemite.” While our initial article fairly sets out our understanding of the underlying evidence in the source materials cited, we have revised language in the piece describing our research and conclusions in light of Northrup’s objections.
We have changed references across both articles that said Northrup promoted Hitler to instead say Northrup promoted pro-Hitler propaganda; we have removed a reference to Northrup having been “discredited” in favor of links to reporting about her spreading health-related misinformation; and we have changed the characterization of Northrup as an antisemite to instead say she has repeatedly promoted and trafficked in antisemitic tropes.
Update (10/21/24): Ladapo and Northrup both spoke at the conference. Ladapo was also pictured with Northrup in a post on conference emcee Stephanie Locricchio’s social media page.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is set to speak at a conference this weekend with Christiane Northrup, a health misinformer who has repeatedly promoted pro-Nazi and antisemitic material.
The 2024 “Back to Basics Conference: Summit on Family, Food and Healthcare” will be held in Waltham, Massachusetts, on October 19. The event claims to bring “together renowned experts in the fields of medicine, agriculture, parental and legal rights.” The conference's listed schedule as of today includes Ladapo and Northrup, who have each confirmed their attendance on social media.
Ladapo, Florida’s top health official, has gained notoriety for spreading misinformation as he openly criticizes and recommends against vaccines. Northrup is a health commentator who has frequently promoted health misinformation and pushed the QAnon conspiracy theory.
The event will also feature Mary Holland — the CEO of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense — and anti-vaccine commentators Ryan Cole, Meryl Nass, and Leah Wilson, among others.