Dr. Phil McGraw

McGraw accompanied ICE officials and agents during operations in Chicago for MeritTV and interviewed at least one detained person, prompting criticism of the media coverage of law enforcement operations.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

MeritTV covered ICE operations in Los Angeles. Reports referred to another embedded assignment, while his spokesperson clarified that McGraw himself had not physically accompanied agents during the operations.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Merit Street Media, the network built around McGraw, filed for bankruptcy and accused Trinity Broadcasting Network of failing to fulfil its distribution and production obligations.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

TBN filed a counterclaim accusing McGraw and his company Peteski of organising a scheme designed to enrich their affiliates at the expense of the partnership.

Attribution

Directly implicated

After several days of hearings, the court ordered Merit Street's conversion to Chapter 7 liquidation. Reports described judicial criticism of the preservation of messages and the credibility of certain testimony.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

A former guest who was a minor sued McGraw and entities connected to the programme, alleging that her placement at Turn-About Ranch had exposed her to sexual assault and retaliation.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Former and current employees described a toxic working environment and alleged that some guests were manipulated. Criticism primarily concerned production executives and the programme's culture.

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

On Fox News, McGraw criticised lockdowns by comparing Covid deaths with other causes and cited, among other things, a greatly exaggerated figure for deaths associated with swimming pools.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

An investigation reported accounts from several former guests alleging that people undergoing withdrawal had been exposed to alcohol or drugs before filming, including Todd Herzog, who said he had arrived sober.

Attribution

Directly implicated

McGraw visited Britney Spears while she was hospitalised and then commented publicly on her situation, prompting criticism from her family and professionals regarding the limits of his role.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

A staff member paid part of a teenager's bail while the programme sought to obtain her story. The segment was subsequently cancelled.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

Consumers sued McGraw and companies associated with the Shape Up! supplements, alleging misleading weight-loss claims. A $10.5 million settlement was reached.

State of the evidence

Settlement

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Texas Board sanctioned McGraw for an inappropriate dual relationship after he employed a former patient shortly after therapy ended. He received a public reprimand, supervision and training requirements.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated