Comedian and talk show host Bill Maher recently criticized former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci. This criticism came after Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 111 times during a Senate hearing regarding his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fauci’s Handling of the Pandemic

Maher pointed out that Fauci had previously asserted the virus originated from animal-to-human contact at a wet market in Wuhan, China. However, Maher argued that Fauci knew this was not the case, citing Fauci’s diary entries discussing the possibility of a lab leak.

Maher also questioned the funding of ‘gain-of-function’ research in China, which involves altering the genetics of a virus to better understand and treat it. He suggested that this type of research could have led to the pandemic.

Lab Leak Theory

Maher challenged the controversy surrounding the lab leak theory, which has been supported by President Donald Trump. He argued that the outcry surrounding the theory’s merit was largely due to social issues, rather than scientific evidence.

Maher stated that the pandemic brought a racial stigma surrounding the lab leak theory, creating an unfounded taboo on the topic. He believes that the debate about the lab leak theory should have been conducted in a rational way, without being influenced by social issues.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.