State Department Spokesman Matt Miller faced tough questions during a press briefing in September 2023 regarding the funding provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for gain-of-function research on coronaviruses in China. Reporter Sam Husseini directly asked Miller about the amount of money sent by USAID to the Wuhan Institute of Virology and its collaborator Ralph Baric at the University of North Carolina for creating and weaponizing coronaviruses.
Miller’s response was evasive, refusing to confirm the exact funding details and dismissing the accusations implied in Husseini’s question. Despite Husseini’s persistence for a clear answer, Miller chose to deflect and move on to another reporter, avoiding a direct response.
The exchange between Husseini and Miller was captured and shared on social media, highlighting the State Department’s reluctance to address the issue of USAID funding for controversial research activities. This incident followed a report by The BMJ, revealing that funding for viral collection work in wildlife, previously supported by USAID, was abruptly terminated due to safety concerns and bipartisan criticism.
The White Coat Waste Project also raised allegations against USAID, claiming that the agency had provided $38 million in funding for coronavirus research in China between 2014 and 2019. Dr. Andrew Huff, an expert on the coronavirus pandemic, confirmed that USAID had indeed supported Chinese coronavirus research, leveraging preliminary data collection before full funding was awarded.
In a significant development, President Trump decided to shut down USAID, possibly in response to these revelations. Dr. Huff’s previous tweets indicated EcoHealth’s involvement in gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, with USAID funding playing a crucial role in collecting preliminary data for the research.
The implications of USAID’s funding for various projects worldwide, including coronavirus research in China, raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of such initiatives. The controversy surrounding USAID’s involvement in potentially dangerous research activities underscores the need for greater oversight and scrutiny in international funding programs.
