Trump reportedly pushing new unproven coronavirus treatment that is also embraced by HUD Sec. Ben Carson and MyPillow's Mike Lindell

Joshua Roberts/Reuters

• President Donald Trump expressed interest in a new unproven coronavirus treatment — the botanical extract, oleandrin — recommended by HUD Secretary Ben Carson and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, Axios reported Sunday.
• Lindell told Axios that Trump "basically said: …'The FDA should be approving it,'" regarding oleandrin as a potential treatment for the coronavirus.
• Researchers found that oleandrin could enhance in cancer therapies due to the way the botanical extract reacts to cells, Axios reported, but there isn't much public data showing oleandrin's effect on patients infected with COVID-19.
• A senior administration officials expressed concern on Carson and Lindell's "involvement" in recommending the product.
• "The involvement of the Secretary of HUD and MyPillow.com in pushing a dubious product at the highest levels should give Americans no comfort at night about their health and safety during a raging pandemic," the official told Axios.
• HUD Secretary Carson, who has expertise in pediatric neurosurgery, serves on the White House coronavirus task force, though his range of knowledge on antiviral drugs is not immediately clear.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

President Donald Trump is eyeing another unproven coronavirus "cure," at the recommendation of Housing and Urban Development Sec. Ben Carson, Axios reported Sunday.

Oleandrin — a botanical extract from the oleander plant — was suggested to the president by Carson in a meeting in the Oval Office in July, according to the Axios report.

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