LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has filed a legal complaint against Meta Platforms Inc., owner of Facebook, for reportedly approving, posting, and profiting from "false and deceptive advertisements" that depict Huckabee.
The lawsuit, filed in Delaware where Meta is based, alleges Meta has approved advertisements from marijuana company Fortin CBD that depict Huckabee in a false light.
The advertisements used as evidence claim that Huckabee, who hosts a TV show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), was leaving TBN "to pursue a greater purpose ... The supposed greater purpose was to endorse and promote Fortin CBD gummies."
The lawsuit claims another advertisement said Huckabee used "miracle" CBD treatments to turn his life around when he was experiencing health problems.
A third advertisement, disguised as a Fox News article, claimed Huckabee's TBN show was canceled amid a supposed years-long fight with an autoimmune disease— that Huckabee was combating with Fortin CBD gummies.
The following images were included as evidence in the lawsuit:
The following are quotes attributed to Huckabee in the false advertisements:
- As a God-fearing Christian, I would never in my life take drugs of any kind. CBD is completely safe, but the negative stigma around it meant there was still a problem with the CBD products on the market.
- After connecting with this world-renowned team of doctors and scientists who found a solution to this problem, I can confidently say CBD is the future of medicine in America.
- I’ve never felt healthier, and I owe it all to this miracle
- CBD cured me and can save American lives.
The advertisements were visible on Facebook from April 9 through June 6, during which time the lawsuit claims numerous fans purchased the CBD products.
"Because Meta approved and maintained advertisements that unauthorizedly used and exploited [Huckabee's] name, photograph, and likeness, Plaintiff is now wrongly associated with the CBD industry and marijuana use," says the lawsuit.
Huckabee is demanding a jury trial.
Stay with 5NEWS as this story develops.
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