LOGIC.co.id – The Trump administration is once again under scrutiny after replacing the official Covid.gov website with a new platform highlighting the Wuhan lab leak theory as the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. The move, framed as a commitment to "transparency," has stirred public controversy.
The change was first reported by NBC News on Friday (April 18). The previous Covid.gov site served as a national information hub for COVID-19, offering access to vaccination services, COVID-19 testing, and long-term support for survivors. Visitors are now redirected to an official White House page showcasing a report by the U.S. House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Released in December 2024, the report was led by a Republican-chaired subcommittee. It concludes that the pandemic most likely originated from a laboratory accident or research experiment—a theory long debated globally but still lacking scientific consensus.
White House spokesperson Kaelan Dorr stated that the website's overhaul reflects the Trump administration's dedication to open information. “Unlike previous administrations, we will be the most transparent administration in U.S. history,” he said.
This development comes amid sweeping budget cuts to pandemic-related programs by the U.S. government. In recent weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) slashed $11.4 billion (approximately IDR 192 trillion) from COVID-19 response funding. Meanwhile, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has canceled several major research grants, including a $577 million (around IDR 9.7 trillion) project aimed at developing oral antiviral treatments.
The White House’s move has sparked concerns that the government’s focus is shifting from managing a public health crisis to pushing a politically charged narrative. Critics argue that replacing an official site with content centered on a lab leak theory—without solid scientific backing—could undermine future public education and crisis response efforts.
Health experts also warn that speculation about the virus's origins should not replace the commitment to science and public health. They urge that official information channels remain grounded in evidence-based science rather than political agendas.