Dr. Oz Delivers Keynote for Conference Supporting Pyramid Schemes

FILE - Mehmet Oz takes part in a forum for Republican candidates for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference in Camp Hill, Pa., April 2, 2022. Millionaire candidates and billionaire investors are harnessing their considerable personal wealth to try to win competitive Republican primaries for open U.S. Senate seats in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In Pennsylvania, three multimillionaire candidates, including TV's Dr. Mehmet Oz, report loaning their campaigns over $20 million combined. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

By Ashley Adams

July 6, 2022

Just days after winning the GOP primary for Pennsylvania’s open US Senate seat, celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz delivered the keynote address at a conference for a lobbying group that supports pyramid schemes.

Fresh off of declaring victory in the Republican primary for Pennsylvania’s open US Senate seat, Dr. Mehmet Oz reportedly delivered the keynote address at a conference for a lobbying group known for supporting pyramid schemes.

Heartland Signal reports that the celebrity doctor spoke at Direct Selling Association’s CEO Breakfast event in Boca Raton, FL, on June 7, just four days after former hedge fund executive David McCormick conceded the party’s nomination to Oz, who won by fewer than 1,000 votes.

DSA is a lobbying group that supports multi-level marketing, a haven for pyramid schemes. DSA’s political action committee contributes thousands of dollars to political candidates, Politico reported. In 2021, DSA held 120 meetings with congressional politicians and sent more than 1,000 letters to federal senators lobbying for protections for MLM sellers through the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, according to the group’s most recent government affairs report.

Avid Last Week Tonight viewers may remember DSA from this piece John Oliver did on pyramid schemes in 2016.

At best, speaking at a multi-level marketing conference in the midst of a US Senate campaign is merely a bad look. (Though as a Trump-endorsed candidate, it is pretty on-brand). But apparently, this isn’t the first DSA event Oz has attended, nor is it the first time he has promoted MLM companies. USANA Health Services, an MLM company, was a sponsor of Oz’s television show for much of its 12-year run, according to Politico. He regularly featured the company’s nutritional supplements, skincare, and wellness products on his show, calling the company a “trusted partner and sponsor.”

Oz allegedly made over $50 million between 2013-2018 promoting USANA products on his show and acted as the brand ambassador, according to a 2018 court filing Politico uncovered.

In addition to cozying up to companies that bilk people out of money, “Pennsylvanian” Dr. Oz doesn’t seem to know how to spell where he lives in the commonwealth. The US Senate candidate entered his address as “Huntington Valley” on his official campaign form.

Have to admit, as someone who grew up in "Huntingdon" and had to explain that it wasn't "Huntingdon Valley," this bugs me.

There is no "Huntington Valley, Pa."

There is only "Huntingdon Valley, Pa." pic.twitter.com/QAYf40W6pU
— Sy Snyder (@PoliticsPA) June 13, 2022

The correct spelling — which real Pennsylvania residents already know — is Huntingdon Valley.

Author

Ashley Adams

In her 16 years in the communications industry, Ashley Adams has worn many hats, including news reporter, public relations writer, marketing specialist, copy editor and technical writer. Ashley grew up in Berks County and has since returned to her roots to raise her three children.

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