Tulsi Gabbard Accuses Anthony Fauci of Funding Risky Wuhan Research, Releases New Documents

Former U.S. intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard has made a series of explosive allegations against Dr. Anthony Fauci, accusing him of funding high-risk “gain-of-function” research at the Wuhan laboratory linked to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On her final day in office, Gabbard released what she described as previously undisclosed documents, claiming they reveal that Fauci authorized the use of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds for research involving bat coronaviruses in Wuhan, China.

According to a statement issued by Gabbard’s office, Fauci not only supported the research financially but also allegedly sought to influence intelligence agencies to downplay or dismiss the theory that COVID-19 may have originated from a laboratory accident.

The statement further alleges that Fauci helped establish what Gabbard described as a “self-interested network” of scientists and officials who promoted the theory that the virus emerged naturally, while attempting to discredit the lab-leak hypothesis.

Gabbard also accused Fauci of providing false testimony during a congressional hearing in June 2024. She cited questions raised during the hearing regarding whether Fauci had communicated with the FBI, CIA, or other intelligence agencies about viral research before or after the pandemic.

According to Gabbard, Fauci responded that he was unaware of any such discussions related to COVID-19. She argues that the newly released documents directly contradict that statement and provide evidence that he misled Congress.

Describing the controversy as an example of what she called the “Deep State” at work, Gabbard said the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of billions of people around the world and that years of alleged misinformation, censorship, and secrecy have made transparency and accountability essential.

She further claimed that individuals who challenged Fauci’s views faced significant professional consequences. Citing accounts from multiple intelligence-community whistleblowers, Gabbard alleged that analysts who questioned prevailing narratives risked damage to their careers, creating an environment in which loyalty was valued more highly than objective analysis.

The former intelligence chief said such pressures discouraged open debate within government institutions during critical stages of the pandemic response.

As of now, neither Fauci nor any representative associated with him has issued an official response to Gabbard’s allegations.

Dr. Fauci, 85, served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for 38 years and was one of the most prominent public health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The allegations are likely to intensify ongoing political and scientific debates in the United States regarding the origins of COVID-19, government transparency, and oversight of gain-of-function research.