TOPLINE
Trump administration officials, led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, prodded U.S. spy agencies to dig up evidence that would substantiate the controversial theory COVID-19 originated in Wuhan laboratory, an effort that comes as President Trump — and his presidential campaign — attacks China to deflect attention away from claims his administration faltered in its handling of the outbreak, the New York Times reports.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 08: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) leaves a news conference with ... [+]
KEY FACTS
China has become a target for Trump and Republicans looking to cast blame for the crisis in the U.S., and the theory that the virus spread from a lab has emerged as a potentially explosive weapon.
Scientists from multiple countries have said that evidence suggests the virus originated from wildlife, not a lab, — and most intelligence agencies remain skeptical of the lab claim.
An American intelligence report linking the origin of the outbreak to the Wuhan lab would have devastating implications for U.S.-Chinese relations.
The Times reports that some intelligence officials are worried the pressure from Trump officials could muddy any assessments about the origins of the virus and be used as fodder in an ongoing political battle with China.
On Wednesday, NBC News reported that Trump administration officials were also directing intelligence agencies to investigate whether China and the World Health Organization hid information about the virus in the beginning days of the outbreak.
Now, the Times reports it’s Pompeo, Trump’s former CIA director, who is spearheading the effort to unearth more evidence on the theory.
Key background
The idea of a lab-created virus bubbled up in February among conservative media — including Fox News — and right-wing lawmakers, including Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who has been one of the most vocal proponents of the theory. But the claim the virus originated in a lab has gained new life in recent weeks with reports that officials inside the government were investigating the claim. Trump gave credence to the theory when he, without citing evidence, said April 18 during a White House briefing that the U.S. government was looking into the claim and that it made “sense.”
Crucial quote
Shortly after the Times report was published, the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community released a statement saying the intelligence community “concurs with the scientific consensus that the COVID-19 virus was not manmade or genetically modified” but added officials will continue to “rigorously examine emerging information” to determine whether the “outbreak began through contact with infected animals if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan.”
Chief critic
Dr. Anthony Fauci dismissed the theory during a White House briefing on April 18, saying that studies conducted had shown the virus likely jumped from bat to human.
"A group of highly qualified evolutionary virologists looked at the sequences in bats as they evolve. The mutations that it took to get to the point where it is now are totally consistent with a jump of a species from an animal to a human.’
Big number
Nearly 30% of Americans believe that the virus originated in a lab, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll. Another Pew poll from earlier this month found that Fox News viewers were much more likely than MSNBC viewers to believe the virus originated in a lab, as opposed to wildlife.
Surprising fact
Scientists say that all seven known human coronaviruses originated in bats, mice or domestic animals.
Further Reading
The Controversial Rumor COVID-19 Originated In A Wuhan Lab Creeps Into The GOP Mainstream (Forbes)
Trump Officials Are Said to Press Spies to Link Virus and Wuhan Labs (New York Times)
Republicans See Attacking China As A Winning Strategy (Forbes)
A Virologist Explains Why It Is Unlikely COVID-19 Escaped From A Lab (Forbes)
No, COVID-19 Coronavirus Was Not Bioengineered. Here’s The Research That Debunks That Idea (Forbes)
Coronavirus and the Laboratories in Wuhan (Wall Street Journal)
Missouri Is Suing China’s Government, Claiming It ‘Lied To The World’ Over The Coronavirus Crisis (Forbes)
A Key G.O.P. Strategy: Blame China. But Trump Goes Off Message. (New York Times)
