APA Fact Check on Fake "ZiB" Interview with Christian Drosten

Currently, a video is spreading that gives the impression that the German virologist Christian Drosten made very critical remarks about the Corona vaccination in an interview on "ZiB 2". In the excerpt, the virologist uses rhetoric unusual for him and urges viewers to clean their blood vessels.

Fake Video with Christian Drosten Based on Real "ZiB" Interview

Assessment: The video is a fake. Upon request by the APA, both Armin Wolf and the Charité emphasized that this is a fake video. Additionally, the video shows some visual and content errors that suggest subsequent manipulation.

Verification: The clip is visually based on a real interview with Christian Drosten, which was broadcast on February 26, 2025, in the ORF program "Zeit im Bild 2". In it, the virologist was interviewed by Armin Wolf five years after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic to take stock. However, in the actually broadcast segment, there are no statements that are content-wise comparable to the claims in the circulating Facebook video.

In response to a request from the Austria Press Agency, ORF journalist Armin Wolf distanced himself from the video and called it a fake. The Charité also emphasized that this is not a real video of Christian Drosten. Additionally, the Charité pointed out that they do not sell or promote medical products.

Inconsistencies in Fake "ZiB" Interview with Christian Drosten

When comparing the original with the manipulated clip, several inconsistencies become apparent. In the circulating clip, images, video sequences, and inserts were added afterwards. The displayed inserts do not match the typical appearance of those usually used in ORF broadcasts of the "Zeit im Bild" series. Particularly noticeable is an incorrect insert at the beginning of the video, which states: "Anyone who has been vaccinated against Covid is literally a 'walking (sic) corpse' - Dr. Christian Drosten." The style of cuts and the insertion of image montages also differ significantly from the style of the "ZiB 2" broadcast.

Acoustically, the voices of Armin Wolf and Christian Drosten initially seem credible. However, compared to the original, differences in sound quality and voice tone are noticeable. The lip movements largely match the spoken words, but the jaw area behaves unnaturally. The edges of the face appear blurry, and distortions occur in the neck area. Additionally, a detail in the background moves with Drosten's movements. There, as in the original, the Brandenburg Gate can be seen, as well as the mast of a street lamp. This mast moves when Drosten moves, suggesting technical manipulation.

Fake "ZiB" Interview with Christian Drosten: Images from Film by Conspiracy Theorist

In the manipulated clip, the virologist reports on alleged findings by the German forensic pathologist Klaus Püschel. According to this, Püschel found "creepy, rubbery masses" in the bodies of deceased individuals who were vaccinated. This is said to have been revealed by the forensic pathologist in an interview. However, there is no reliable evidence for such an interview. On the contrary, Püschel has spoken in favor of the Corona vaccination in interviews. The images shown in the supposed interview, which are meant to illustrate the "rubbery masses," come from the film "Died Suddenly." This can be determined through a reverse image search. The film was produced by Stew Peters, who is reportedly known for spreading conspiracy theories on the internet. Several fact-checks by various organizations prove that the film contains demonstrably false information.

Towards the end of the clip, the manipulated voice of Drosten even promotes a product and urges viewers to cleanse their blood vessels: "It's about your life!" it says in a dramatic tone. Another strong indication of manipulation is Drosten's statement that viewers watching the video on Facebook should click on "Learn more." Such a statement would be highly implausible in a real interview on ZiB 2. The fact that in the fake video Drosten speaks continuously and no interjections from Armin Wolf are made also undermines the video's credibility.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.