Air Purifier Used At Trump Rally Cited For False Advertising: AG

PHOENIX, AZ — In the days leading up to President Donald Trump's Tuesday rally in Phoenix, officials at the Dream City Church promised attendees, "when you come into our auditorium, 99 percent of COVID is gone."

However, according to Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, that dramatic claim was based on deceptive advertising and has "no factual basis" when it pertains to people sitting right next to each other while not wearing masks — as was the case for most of the 3,000 Trump supporters who packed themselves into the church's seats with no space for social distancing.

In a cease-desist-letter sent Friday to Glendale-based Clean Air EXP, Brnovich's office charged that the company's website featured a "COVID-19 REPORT" — a reference to the disease caused by the new coronavirus — which purported to describe test results proving its ability to eliminate 99.9 percent percent the virus.

In fact, as first reported by the Phoenix New Times, the company's testing documents refuted their own advertising. The attorney general's cease-and-desist letter notes:

Previous representations made by Clean Air EXP under the heading “COVID-19 REPORT” suggested that your business’s merchandise would neutralize 99.9% of “coronavirus,” when in fact this was based on aerosol testing solely of the cystovirus Phi6 and bacteria, and surface testing of coronavirus 229E, a virus which causes the common cold. Furthermore, your representations appear to have no factual basis related to social distancing of less than six feet, especially if individuals are not wearing masks.

The company's misrepresentations could violate Arizona's protections against consumer fraud, which prohibit deceptive advertising and false promises. According to the letter, the company must remove its claims about eliminating COVID-19 by Monday.

Earlier this week, the church leaders released a statement acknowledging "confusion" caused by statements touting the virus-killing efficacy of the air purifier. State health officials have urged Arizonans to stay home and avoid crowded environments where social distancing is not possible.

During a news conference Thursday, a somber Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey addressed the state's spike in cases and hospitalizations, trends that have triggered alarm from health officials in the state and across the country. He urged citizens to wear masks and stay home.

"It's everywhere — it's likely in this room right now," Ducey said during the conference. "The actions that you take as a citizen will make a difference for how we care for our most vulnerable."

Ducey attended Tuesday's Trump rally at Dream City Church. According to photographs and reporters at the event, he appeared to be one of the few attendees wearing a mask.

Read more:

• Church Trump Rally Used Air System Not Tested On COVID-19: Report
• Ducey: AZ's Coronavirus Crisis Will Worsen Before It Improves
• Trump Gets A More Energized Crowd In Phoenix
  
• Maricopa County Leads New AZ Coronavirus Cases, Deaths Tuesday
• Ducey Calls AZ Councilman 'Despicable' For Mocking George Floyd