Fauci’s Diary Reveals Lab Leak Suspicions

Former NIAID director Anthony Fauci has privately acknowledged that scientists suspect the coronavirus may have originated from a lab leak, despite previously denouncing related conspiracy theories, according to a recently disclosed diary. The diary entry from January 2020 shows he discussed this with various scientists.

An article by Sen. Rand Paul details a call involving multiple experts, including:

• Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health
• Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Jeremy Farrar, Director of the Wellcome Trust
• Patrick Vallance, Chief Scientific Adviser in the UK
• Christian Anderson, Director of Infectious Disease Genomics, Scripps Research Institute
• Christian Drosten, Director of Human Virology, Charité University, Germany
• Edward Holmes, Professor of Virus Evolution, University of Sydney
• Andrew Rimbaud, Professor of Molecular Evolution, University of Edinburgh
• Ron Fouchier, Deputy Director of Viral Sciences, Erasmus Medical Center
• Robert Garry, Professor of Virology, Tulane University
• Mike Ferguson, Professor of Life Sciences, University of Dundee

Fauci reflected on the potential for virus manipulation in labs, stating that there was no full agreement on whether there had been deliberate alterations. Most of the scientists involved seemed to lean towards the lab leak theory as likely.

It’s worth noting that this discussion took place before lockdowns began and long before the WHO labeled the outbreak a pandemic.

Fauci recorded that Ron Fouchier suggested focusing on natural origins rather than diverting efforts. He found this view surprising, especially considering Fouchier’s previous involvement in gain-of-function research. Fauci seemed to lean toward the idea that intention could not be ruled out, particularly due to past work by Dr. Zheng-Li Shi in Wuhan involving coronaviruses.

In his notes, Fauci remarked that no one could be “100% sure” about the virus’s origins, despite his public stance against the lab leak theory. In a journal entry from May 2021, he reiterated the need for a thorough investigation while stating that he believed the virus most likely originated from an animal host.

During a June 2021 conversation, he claimed about half of the experts thought the virus was likely manufactured, contradicting what had been previously noted in his diary. That meeting had shown only two scientists saw natural origins as the probable path.

Fauci commented on societal responses to his containment of information. He seemed increasingly frustrated by claims linking him to conspiracy theories regarding the virus’s origins. He described efforts by politicians like Rep. Mike McCaul to link the virus to lab activities as an orchestrated effort to absolve others of responsibility for pandemic management.

Over time, Fauci’s personal writings show a growing dismissal of the lab leak theory, despite earlier admissions. His comments reflected a broader distrust toward those pushing the narrative, claiming it stemmed from a political agenda.

As recent events unfold, Fauci has attempted to downplay his role in addressing misconceptions surrounding gain-of-function research. Notably, the Trump administration even revised its guidelines, indicating that a lab leak could be a legitimate potential source of COVID-19.

Fauci is set to testify before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee soon.