Covid.gov, a previously valuable resource for information about COVID-19, has now been transformed into a platform that supports the controversial theory alleging the virus’s origins in a laboratory. Visitors to the site encounter a prominent banner stating “Lab Leak” alongside an image of Donald Trump, a change noted earlier by Wired journalist Andrew Couts.
Covidtests.gov, where users could previously order complimentary COVID tests, has also been redirected to this new page.
The updated site claims to unveil the “true origins” of the virus, attributing its spread to alleged inadequacies in safety protocols at a Chinese laboratory. Additionally, the page promotes various conspiracy theories, contending that the Biden administration misled the public regarding COVID-19’s origins and disparaged alternative treatment options. Furthermore, it asserts that the World Health Organization capitulated to pressure from the Chinese Communist Party in managing the pandemic response.
The timeline for the changes to covid.gov remains ambiguous. Archived records indicate that the site provided relevant virus resources at least until April 10. Now, it prominently features a link to the House Oversight Committee report, which endorses similar narratives regarding the alleged lab leak.
Since February, there has been a concerted effort by the Trump administration to dismantle web pages from federal sites that do not align with its perspectives, particularly targeting content related to climate change, racial equity, and gender identity. While some pages have been restored following a court order, federal agencies have been instructed to include disclaimers regarding “gender ideology.”
