Fact Check: "Fauci committed perjury and caused a pandemic that killed 20 million people."
What We Know
The claim that Dr. Anthony Fauci committed perjury and caused a pandemic that killed 20 million people is unfounded and misleading. The COVID-19 pandemic has indeed resulted in significant loss of life, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting over 1.19 million deaths in the U.S. alone as of 2023, not 20 million globally (source-2). The assertion that Fauci committed perjury stems from conflicting statements regarding U.S. funding of research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, where some believe the virus may have originated (source-2). However, the term "perjury" implies a legal definition that has not been substantiated in this context.
Analysis
The claim of Fauci's perjury is primarily based on statements made during congressional hearings where he denied that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab. This has been contradicted by recent admissions from NIH officials, leading to calls for Fauci's prosecution (source-2). However, it is important to note that the definition of "gain-of-function" research is complex and subject to interpretation, which complicates the accusation of perjury.
Moreover, the claim that Fauci "caused" the pandemic is unfounded. The origins of COVID-19 are still under investigation, with theories ranging from zoonotic spillover to lab leaks, but no definitive evidence has been established that links Fauci directly to the outbreak (source-1). The assertion that he is responsible for the death toll is also misleading, as the pandemic's impact has been influenced by numerous factors, including public health responses, political decisions, and societal behaviors (source-3).
The sources cited in support of the claim, such as statements from Elon Musk and various opinion pieces, reflect a particular narrative that lacks rigorous evidence. They often rely on sensationalism rather than substantiated facts, which raises questions about their reliability.
Conclusion
The claim that Dr. Anthony Fauci committed perjury and caused a pandemic that killed 20 million people is False. The death toll attributed to COVID-19 is significantly lower than claimed, and while there are ongoing debates about Fauci's statements regarding research funding, the legal implications of perjury have not been established. Furthermore, attributing the pandemic's devastation solely to Fauci overlooks the broader context of public health, governmental response, and the nature of viral outbreaks.
Sources
- Opinion: Journalists failed to ask Dr. Anthony Fauci the ... Times Free Press
- Elon Musk demands charges against Anthony Fauci after ... New York Post
- Fauci: Covid death toll 'would have shocked me completely ... NBC News
