Dr Fauci funded China lab tied to Covid leak theory? Spy chief's expose
On her last day as US spy chief, Tulsi Gabbard released classified files alleging Dr Anthony Fauci, the face of the US's fight against coronavirus, funded research at Wuhan's virology institute, which has been linked to the Covid-19 lab-leak theory.
Tulsi Gabbard, on her final day as US spy chief, stirred a hornet's nest, alleging that top US scientist Anthony Fauci funded the research lab in China's Wuhan at the centre of the Covid-19 lab-leak theory. Releasing what she called "never-before-seen" classified files, Gabbard said the documents reveal that Fauci provided millions of dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) for gain-of-function research involving bat coronaviruses and also influenced intel assessments on Covid-19 origins.
During the pandemic, Dr Fauci emerged as the face of America's fight against coronavirus, appearing in daily briefings and bringing out safety guidelines. An epidemic expert, Fauci served as then-President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser. However, his image got sullied when he faced criminal charges for allegedly lying to the US Congress about funding risky research in Wuhan.
Amid the controversy, the Donald Trump administration paused all government funding for gain-of-function (GoF) research last year. It broadly refers to experiments that genetically alter an organism or virus to give it new functions that can be used in medicine or agriculture. However, it involves serious risks as well and could also make viruses more dangerous or contagious.
The origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has killed over 7.1 million people globally, are still not known. However, several intelligence assessments, including a CIA report, have said the novel coronavirus is "more likely" to have leaked from the Wuhan lab than to have come from animals.
WHAT TULSI GABBARD SAID ON DR FAUCI?
In a stinging video message on X, Gabbard said Dr Fauci worked with "politicised elements" within the intel community to hide the truth about his actions and the origins of the virus.
"I am releasing never-before-seen communications and documents exposing how Dr Fauci provided millions in US taxpayer dollars to fund dangerous gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab," Gabbard said.
Dr Fauci, however, has yet to respond to the claims. Previously, however, Dr Fauci has denied accusations that he covered up the origins of Covid-19, calling such claims "preposterous" during a hearing in June 2024.
In her five-minute video, Gabbard underlined that the tactics used to hide the truth were straight from the "deep state playbook". "Politicised self-serving leaders like Dr Fauci covered up their own wrongdoing and abuses of power, manipulated intelligence, and lied to Congress," she further said.
Last week, releasing newly declassified documents, Gabbard revealed that the US has historically provided funding for 120 labs across over 30 countries. She said several of these facilities engaged in research involving hazardous and highly contagious pathogens.
WHISTLEBLOWER TESTIMONIES ADD INTRIGUE
A document released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) revealed that Dr Fauci oversaw the funding for the Wuhan lab when he was leading the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Dr Fauci stepped down in 2022.
In its statement, the ODNI alleged that the research was now widely viewed as the "source of the unintentional lab leak that sparked the Covid pandemic".
Notably, the ODNI statement also includes testimonies of multiple whistleblowers. It said the testimonies revealed that intel analysts who challenged Dr Fauci's assessment of Covid origins faced "threat of retaliation, were marginalised, and often suffered career setbacks".
Tulsi Gabbard, on her final day as US spy chief, stirred a hornet's nest, alleging that top US scientist Anthony Fauci funded the research lab in China's Wuhan at the centre of the Covid-19 lab-leak theory. Releasing what she called "never-before-seen" classified files, Gabbard said the documents reveal that Fauci provided millions of dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) for gain-of-function research involving bat coronaviruses and also influenced intel assessments on Covid-19 origins.
During the pandemic, Dr Fauci emerged as the face of America's fight against coronavirus, appearing in daily briefings and bringing out safety guidelines. An epidemic expert, Fauci served as then-President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser. However, his image got sullied when he faced criminal charges for allegedly lying to the US Congress about funding risky research in Wuhan.
Amid the controversy, the Donald Trump administration paused all government funding for gain-of-function (GoF) research last year. It broadly refers to experiments that genetically alter an organism or virus to give it new functions that can be used in medicine or agriculture. However, it involves serious risks as well and could also make viruses more dangerous or contagious.
The origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has killed over 7.1 million people globally, are still not known. However, several intelligence assessments, including a CIA report, have said the novel coronavirus is "more likely" to have leaked from the Wuhan lab than to have come from animals.
WHAT TULSI GABBARD SAID ON DR FAUCI?
In a stinging video message on X, Gabbard said Dr Fauci worked with "politicised elements" within the intel community to hide the truth about his actions and the origins of the virus.
"I am releasing never-before-seen communications and documents exposing how Dr Fauci provided millions in US taxpayer dollars to fund dangerous gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab," Gabbard said.
Dr Fauci, however, has yet to respond to the claims. Previously, however, Dr Fauci has denied accusations that he covered up the origins of Covid-19, calling such claims "preposterous" during a hearing in June 2024.
In her five-minute video, Gabbard underlined that the tactics used to hide the truth were straight from the "deep state playbook". "Politicised self-serving leaders like Dr Fauci covered up their own wrongdoing and abuses of power, manipulated intelligence, and lied to Congress," she further said.
Last week, releasing newly declassified documents, Gabbard revealed that the US has historically provided funding for 120 labs across over 30 countries. She said several of these facilities engaged in research involving hazardous and highly contagious pathogens.
WHISTLEBLOWER TESTIMONIES ADD INTRIGUE
A document released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) revealed that Dr Fauci oversaw the funding for the Wuhan lab when he was leading the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Dr Fauci stepped down in 2022.
In its statement, the ODNI alleged that the research was now widely viewed as the "source of the unintentional lab leak that sparked the Covid pandemic".
Notably, the ODNI statement also includes testimonies of multiple whistleblowers. It said the testimonies revealed that intel analysts who challenged Dr Fauci's assessment of Covid origins faced "threat of retaliation, were marginalised, and often suffered career setbacks".
