Dr Fauci: Lab leak theory of COVID is not “inherently a conspiracy theory,” but “distortions” are.

Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday reaffirmed his position that the COVID-19 “lab leak” theory is not “inherently a conspiracy theory.”

“I just want to clarify for the record, because today you testified that you did not suppress the lab leak theory, yet in the past you have said, ‘It is a distortion of reality,’” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) said during Fauci’s testimony, grilling the former government scientist at the center of the COVID-19 response in the United States.

“You’ve said, ‘I’ve heard these conspiracy theories, and like all conspiracy theories, they’re just conspiracy theories,’” Malliotakis continued. “That’s what you told the American people. And so would you like to clarify what science were you following then versus now?”

Malliotakis’ question fell in line with similar contentious inquiries from the Republican-led House subcommittee tasked with reviewing the government’s coronavirus response and the pandemic’s origin.

“Yeah, no, actually, I’ve also been very, very clear and said multiple times that I don’t think the concept of there being a lab leak is inherently a conspiracy theory,” Fauci testified. “What is conspiracy is the kind of distortions of that particular subject, like it was a lab leak, and I was parachuted into the CIA like Jason Bourne and told the CIA that they should really not be talking about a lab leak.”

“Thank you,” Malliotakis interrupted.

“That’s the conspiracy,” Fauci said.