No More Kevin Trudeau Infomercials? Not So Fast…
November 30, 2010 by admin
Filed under KT In The News
November 30th, 2010
WalletPop
By: Mitch Lipka
Just when it seemed as if infomercial king Kevin Trudeau was dealt a final knockout blow in his never-ending bout with the Federal Trade Commission, the Teflon pitchman is at it again – and he’s as cocky as ever.
Who was that guy talking smack about the FTC at 5 a.m. the other night? You guessed it.
After his latest round in court, it appeared as though TV’s insomnia-hours fixture had been banned from the airwaves. A federal appeals court allowed part of an earlier ruling to stand that severely limits Trudeau’s commercial appearances, permitting him on only previously-aired productions he doesn’t directly profit from. To air a new production, a judge said he must post a $2 million bond (the FTC asked for the bond to be set at $10 million) or be held in contempt of court.
“We’re on the air every day,” Trudeau says in an interview with Consumer Ally. “I haven’t posted a bond so I’m not airing any new shows.”
In characteristic fashion, Trudeau has found a way to remain in the spotlight. He’s not directly profiting from the books he’s currently promoting — Debt Cures and Free Money — because the rights are owned by a third party, but he’s still right there in front of the cameras pitching away in the wee hours of the morning.
To the FTC and the courts, Trudeau’s recent appearances are just one more slap in the face. The FTC has branded him a modern day snakeoil salesman who misleads consumers into buying a wide range of products that he claims can help people beat cancer, fix their finances, improve their memory… basically, fix almost anything.
It’s a cat and mouse game that has been going on for more than a decade. In 1998, the FTC and Trudeau negotiated a settlement over allegations his advertisements for “Hair Farming,” “Mega Memory System,” “Addiction Breaking System,” “Action Reading,” “Eden’s Secret,” and “Mega Reading” were deceptive. Then, in 2004, he was banned from infomercials — except for selling books — and settled his case with FTC by agreeing to pay $500,000 cash and by surrendering a “luxury vehicle” and a home in California. A few years later,Trudeau was back in the FTC’s crosshairs regarding claims he was making about his book The Weight Loss Cure ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About.
The agency filed a lawsuit alleging Trudeau was using deceptive tactics to sell the book. Earlier this year, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Gettleman fined Trudeau $37.6 million and banned him from infomercials for three years. If Trudeau were to air one of his traditionally long-form infomercials (the ones that resemble a talk show with only attractive women as guests) he would have to pay up. (Gettleman also found Trudeau in criminal contempt for exhorting his followers to pepper the judge with so many emails of support that they crashed his computer).
“Trudeau willfully deceived thousands of consumers by producing and publishing the deceptive infomercial at issue regarding the Weight Loss Cure book, causing tens of millions of dollars in losses to those consumers,” Gettleman wrote in his order earlier this year. “The court has no faith in the notion that Trudeau has somehow been reformed by these proceedings or anything else that has happened since the publications of the offending infomercials in 2007. Indeed, Trudeau continues to deny that he did anything wrong, contends that his deceptive information is somehow protected by the Constitution, and pretends that he did not profit from the book or the infomercials and thus should not have to pay anything to the people he deceived.”
Trudeau is appealing Gettleman’s ruling and and is contemplating elevating his fight to the U.S. Supreme Court. “We’re pretty bullish the ruling is blatantly unconstitutional,” Trudeau says.
In fact, he maintains that while the FTC claims to be acting on behalf of consumers, he has done no harm to them. Trudeau says he has made more than 500 infomercials that have generated some $3 billion in sales and has never been the target of litigation over false or misleading advertising that came from customers.
“There’s not one consumer complaint at the FTC office,” he says. “It just shows the frivolous nature of what they’re trying to do.This is not about protecting customers.”
An FTC spokeswoman said the agency would not discuss Trudeau or the pending litigation. In fact, Trudeau remains a rather sensitive subject.
While the FTC refuses to engage outside of court with Trudeau, he knows no such bounds and, in a conversation with Consumer Ally, once again skewered the federal government and the judge’s decision.
“I’m very proud of what I’m doing. I don’t think we should be restricted or intimidated by the government when you write a book that they don’t like,” Trudeau tells Consumer Ally. “It’s blatant prior restraint. The government can’t stop you from doing something legally.”
Yet, even with all of this rhetoric, Trudeau has lost a few rounds in the past (he freely acknowledges his felony convictions from cons pulled in his younger days) and the government’s pursuit has had an impact on some of his actions. Now, nearly 80% of his business interests are overseas, for example.
“I find the business environment here very restrictive,” he says.
He even claims that the government has begun harassing him. “When you start blowing the whistle on what’s going on in Washington… I said I will be attacked,” he says. “Every single time (I fly), my bags are looked through. That’s statistically impossible.”
Will Trudeau beat the odds again and regain his place on U.S. airwaves or finally wilt under the relentless pressue of the government? Stay tuned.
Kevin thank you
Kevin, thanks for stepping on my toes!!! I sure need a bit of it every single day!
Kevin Trudeau is the smartest man in the world when it comes to the natural health field and the debt cures field. I know this for a fact because he is my mentor,I have spent 21 years in the natural health care field and I am now a trainer myself because I train people to become natural health researchers and I owe all my success to Kevin Trudeau and so I know for a fact that everyone should listen to Kevin Trudeau if they want the best advice and a great life!
Dear Kevin Trudeau,
Wonderful website you have so much to go though. Just found the right place here to post my message to you on this subject you spoke of on the air… here it is again:
Will of God here, YOU MUST NOT BE, DRAWN INTO THE DARKNESS (There Arena? Fight)
STEP UP ON THE MOUNTAIN(Air Ways), YOURS IS A VOICE FROM ON HIGH, LET YOUR WORDS BE THE LIGHT THAT SHINES INTO THAT WILDERNESS OF THE LOST IN A MEDIA RUN SOCIETY OF DISPARE, WITH THE PARACITES (POLY-TIC’S = many parasites)ON TOP THAT RUN THEM… PARACITES AND EVIL HIDES IN DARKNESS, THEY TREMBLE & FEAR THE LIGHT…
STEP UP YOUR MINISTRY, YOUR STEWARDSHIP, YOUR PUBLIC MINISTRY AND CONTINUE TO DO SO, BY PROCLAIMING THE LOVE OF YOUR GOD THAT RESIDES IN YOU, FOR THE CARE OF YOUR BROTHERS & SISTERS, SHOUT OUT, SET FREE, PROCLAIM, ANOUNCE THAT FIRE THAT BURNS IN YOUR GUT AND HEART, AS THE LOVE OF A CARING, RIGHTOUS BROTHER, CHILD OF GOD, HEALER THAT YOU ARE…
I AM THE WILL OF GOD, AND I DO RECOGNIZE YOU AS A PUBLIC MINISTER… I DO RECOGNIZE YOUR MINISTRY…
YOURS IS A HEALING MINISTRY PROCLAIMING FAR AND WIDE, AS A LIGHT PEARCING THE DARKNESS WHERE SO MANY ARE LOST…
YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT AND A TENDER HEART OF COMPASSION… HOW DARE ANYONE TRY TO TELL THEE TO BE QUIET AND FADE AWAY! THOSE THAT DO SO FORGIVE & JUDGE THEM NOT, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO, FOR THEIR OWN WORDS HAVE BETRAYED THEM & THEIR HEARTS FOR THE ARE TRYING TO SERVE TWO MASTERS…
YOU ARE LOVED & SUPPORTED BY MANY OF WHICH YOU MAY COUNT ME AS ONE.
Sincerely, Will of God
Always God’s Will
Hi Kevin – THANK YOU for ALL you do and for putting yourself out there for all of us!! I truly appreciate it!!
Kevin is awesome!
hello kevin. i really enjoyed the radio show today.i always wanted to do something very important for mankind..the way you talk today reminded me of myself the way that i feel about things that really matters..have a great day K.T. yaaqovos
Kevin needs to be heard by everyone… The FTC needs to actually start protecting the consumers, but that will probably never happen. Keep fighting the good fight Kevin, we love you
Matt
Even with all the negative press regarding the Catholic Church sex scandals, I have decided to join this church, and will be attending their services for the first time, tomorrow, March 5, 2011. Reason? Well, first, I quit the local Episcopalian church about five years ago because it was bringing (and bragging about) overt, shall I say, anti-morality, non-heterosexual life style priests (we used to call them ministers) into the Diocese of Central New York, and I will have no part in supporting that depraved life style.
The primary reason I have decided to find out if I measure up to the high standards and expectations of personal life conduct demanded of its congregation by the Catholic Church, is because my life has fallen into outer chaos and shambles, without an inner spiritual life to act as my compass and guide in these most confused and pathetic anti-morality modern times society we live in.
My hope here is that with an improved inner/spritual life, outer conditions and relationships will noticeably also improve. All I know is that I feel more relaxed and at peace, inwardly, right now, having made the decision to go forward with this major life-priorities change, than I have in a long time. And I am looking forward to replacing the inner anxiety which has undermined my health, with a serenity which will tide me over life’s setbacks and disappointments.
Time will tell, but right now this decision feels like getting a new lease on life and a fresh start. It starts with upgrading one’s own values and conduct and not fretting over the struggles of others who may or may not find the true path.
In my opinion Kevin’s infomercials should play on television. If his infomercials play on television he will be helping out large communities all across the country. The government doesn’t want to help our community, they want to hurt us. Like Michael Jackson said they don’t really care about us!
Mitch Lipka writes for Consumer Ally, but while trying to protect the consumer he forgets about what he’s supposed to do, which is report. Lipka decides to influence his readers by painting a negative picture of Kevin, who’s in direct competition with him. (Look up his site and take a look. Notice the ads from big corporations. Hmmmm?). Lipka never mentions Kevin’s side of the story. Then Lipka adds his own negative word bites to make it worse. This isn’t reporting. It’s a disservice to the public. Who is he a Consumer Ally for? By studying how his article was presented, I think Lipka is just trying to discredit Kevin for his own interest and sponsors. Think about it. Lipka wasn’t reporting.
I guarantee that once somebody listens to a few of Kevin Trudeau’s radio shows and podcasts, they’ll understand and side with him instantly, while being thankful for what he’s doing.
Remember Kevin, you have many friends that appreciate what you’re doing. (Like no tomorrow!!) Thank you!
Kevin Trudeau has never been proven wrong! Ever! If anyone doubts him or thinks he’s lying feel free to confront him live on air on his radio show pansies! VEVA LA KEVIN!!!
As a current Law Enforcement Officer in Washington DC and in this beautiful country of the United States of America, I fully support Kevin Trudeau and what he is doing for every world citizen. I became a reader of Kevin when he published his first book “Natural Cures They Don’t Want You To Know About”. His book opened my eyes for the first time on the corruption in politics, pharmaceutical industry, the media and overall everyday government operations.
I believe that there is nothing in this Universe that is stronger than the heart of a fully dedicated volunteer. Nothing will ever come close to matching it. Someone who dedicates and sacrifices his/her time, money, and most importantly his/her freedoms and life to bring awareness and knowledge to others despite extreme opposition/attacks is beyond heroic. I can’t even imagine the hostility that has been brought against Kevin. Even though I work in the roughest areas of Washington DC, I think KT has gone through just as many dangers as I have, if not more.
What Kevin has done for me personally cannot be stated in words, it can only be measured by a feeling. I listen to your show, read your books and listen to your trainings consitently. I feel I’ve learned more in the past 3 years from you and Dr C than I have in my entire highschool and college education, and this is only the beginning. I have donated to you legal defense fund twice in high hopes that you will be victorious. I have many opinions about your cases with the FTC/FDA and other government agencies as well as human micro-chipping, and the TSA screenings. I will not state them here because of time.
But I will say this… Never, never, never give up. I support you, stand by you, and believe in you/your vision. What you are doing is very positive and will pay off in the near future. I am doing my best to get your positive words out to my fellow collegues and citizens I serve. It will take time for them to see, but they will realize soon enough what is really going on.
Hopefully soon at one of the GIN events, I’ll be able to shake your hand and personally thank you for all you have done. Justitia Omnibus.
Sincerely,
Joseph F
Kevin Trudeau is a true American hero. This country needs more people
like him who are willing to tell the truth and stand up for what’s
right no matter what the consequences are. I have put much of the
information he reveals in his books and radio show to use in my own
life and it has increased the quality of my life immensely. He has
stood by his word to always provide a positive impact to a persons
life through the information that he sells and the products and
services that he recommends. I encourage people to make their own
judgments based on their own experiences with Kevin Trudeau and the
information that he offers. “Condemnation without investigation is
the height of ignorance”-Albert Einstein.
With all these back and forth procedures of appearing in court and getting robbed by the government, Kevin Trudeau persists in getting the information out to the consumer. These court rulings are usually decided on the essence of tyranny. Yet Kevin Trudeau holds his ground standing on the U.S.Constitution and the govt can’t stand it.
The obstacle that lies in the way of the govt is not Kevin Trudeau but it’s own law of the land.
You can’t put a good man down.
Of course they are striking a blow against Kevin. As a “whistleblower”, Kevin is exposing the mass cooperative power behind the FDA, FTC, pharmaceutical companies, news agencies and food empires. It is not in “their” best interest for people to feel empowered, find natural ways to health, and otherwise build a self-sustainable life.