Dr. Anthony Fauci faced intense questioning from Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and Rep. Jim Jordan regarding the alleged suppression of the lab leak theory of COVID-19's origin. Fauci firmly denied any involvement in downplaying the theory, calling such claims 'preposterous' and 'farfetched,' including the idea that he was 'parachuted into the CIA like Jason Bourne.' He emphasized that he has kept an open mind throughout the entire process. Fauci also refuted accusations of influencing scientists to dismiss the lab leak theory and denied that the NIH funded gain-of-function research related to COVID-19. Additionally, Fauci acknowledged that U.S. tax dollars did flow through a grant recipient to a lab in China but insisted this had no connection to downplaying the lab leak theory.
Rep. Jordan: "Do you agree that there was a push to downplay the lab leak theory?" Fauci: "Not on my part!" Jordan: "Really? Wow. I think most of the country would find that amazing." Fauci: "Look at the facts. I've kept an open mind throughout the entire process." https://t.co/ikUPUor8W5
Exchange between Rep. @Jim_Jordan and Dr. Anthony Fauci on COVID origin. Jordan: "Do you agree that there was a push to downplay the lab leak theory?" Fauci: "Not on my part." Jordan: "Really?" Fauci: "Really...I've kept an open mind throughout the entire process." https://t.co/txAFflvY47
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) demanded Fauci answer about the alleged suppression of information and pressure on tech companies to downplay that the coronavirus came from a Chinese lab. Follow live: https://t.co/5AG0QlLbu0 https://t.co/xkPIz2Zwr2
Rep. Jim Jordan: “Do you agree that there was a push to downplay the lab leak theory?” Dr. Anthony Fauci: “Not on my part. ... Look at the facts. I’ve kept an open mind throughout the entire process.” https://t.co/4lD8J5qPHd
Jim Jordan: "Did US tax dollars flow through a grant recipient to the lab in China?" Fauci: "Yes of course." Jim Jordan: "Your agency approved that, right?" Fauci: "Yes it did." Jim Jordan: "Did that have anything to do with downplaying the lab leak theory?" Fauci: "No." https://t.co/6nDIxkZ27Q
Rep. Jim Jordan: "You agree that there was a push to downplay the lab leak theory?" Fauci: "None on my part." Rep. Jim Jordan: "Really? Wow." https://t.co/X4ZYBzOuCb
Fauci Denies NIH Funded Gain-of-Function Research, Refutes Lab Leak Suppression Claims Under Malliotakis Grilling https://t.co/KS0zeG0uaB
Dr. Fauci calls claims he tried to sway scientists away from concluding the COVID-19 virus stemmed from lab manipulation "preposterous." "The accusation being circulated that I influenced the scientists ... is absolutely false," he said. Read more: https://t.co/i0zt0T2TKR https://t.co/Vs2DalnFOc
Fauci repeatedly denies that he suppressed the lab leak theory. Rep. Malliotakis: "Today, you testified that you did not suppress the lab leak theory. Yet, in the past, you have said, 'it is a distortion of reality.' You've said, 'I've heard these conspiracy theories and like… https://t.co/FCEwt6rJaI
Under grilling from Rep. Nicole Malliotakis on potential Wuhan Covid lab leak, Dr. Anthony Fauci says that conspiracies of his alleged cover-up are farfetched: the idea that "I was parachuted into the CIA like Jason Bourne to tell them not to look into it." https://t.co/7qHRqkHqgW