QUESTIONABLE SOURCE
A questionable source exhibits one or more of the following: extreme bias, consistent promotion of propaganda/conspiracies, poor or no sourcing to credible information, a complete lack of transparency, and/or is fake news. Fake News is the deliberate attempt to publish hoaxes and/or disinformation for profit or influence (Learn More). Sources listed in the Questionable Category may be very untrustworthy and should be fact-checked on a per-article basis. Please note sources on this list are not considered fake news unless specifically written in the reasoning section for that source. See all Questionable sources.
- The current iteration of the website formerly known as Covid.gov is rated as Questionable due to its promotion of extreme right-wing bias, dissemination of propaganda, and lack of credible scientific evidence. The site’s transformation from a public health resource to a platform for unverified theories undermines its reliability and credibility. Users seeking accurate and science-based information on COVID-19 are advised to consult reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO).
Detailed Report
Questionable Reasoning: Conspiracy Theories, Pseudoscience, Propaganda, False Claims, Misinformation
Bias Rating: RIGHT (7.9)
Factual Reporting: LOW (7.6)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Government
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: LOW CREDIBILITY
History
Launched in March 2022, Covid.gov was an official U.S. government website managed by the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). It served as a centralized resource for information on COVID-19 safety measures, testing, vaccines, and treatments. However, in April 2025, under the Trump administration, the domain was redirected to a new page on the White House website titled “Lab Leak: The True Origins of COVID-19”. This shift marked a significant change in the site’s purpose and content.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
The website is owned and operated by the White House, representing the executive branch of the U.S. federal government. As such, it is funded by U.S. taxpayers. The content reflects the policies and perspectives of the current administration.
Analysis / Bias
The current version of the website promotes the theory that COVID-19 originated from a laboratory leak in Wuhan, China. It asserts that the virus possesses a “biological characteristic not found in nature” and criticizes figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci and organizations like the NIH and WHO. The page references a House Oversight Report that supports the lab leak theory, though this report has been criticized for relying on speculative commentary and lacking rigorous scientific analysis.
The website’s content aligns with conspiracy theories and political propaganda, presenting unverified claims as definitive facts. It lacks balanced perspectives and does not acknowledge the ongoing scientific debate regarding the origins of COVID-19. The removal of previously available public health information, such as vaccine and testing resources, further indicates a shift away from providing comprehensive, science-based guidance.
Failed Fact Checks
- While the website itself has not been the subject of specific fact checks, the lab leak theory it promotes has been widely scrutinized. U.S. intelligence agencies remain divided on the origins of COVID-19, with some assessing a natural origin as more likely, while others consider a lab-related incident plausible but with low confidence. No conclusive evidence has been presented to confirm the lab leak theory.
The current iteration of the website formerly known as Covid.gov is rated as Questionable due to its promotion of extreme right-wing bias, dissemination of propaganda, and lack of credible scientific evidence. The site’s transformation from a public health resource to a platform for unverified theories undermines its reliability and credibility. Users seeking accurate and science-based information on COVID-19 are advised to consult reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO). (D. Van Zandt 03/30/2022) Updated (04/23/2025)
Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/lab-leak-true-origins-of-covid-19/
Last Updated on April 23, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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