Elon Musk’s DOGE Terminates $180 Million in HHS Contracts, Including Fauci Exhibit Funding
Elon Musk’s DOGE has annulled over $180 million in contracts with HHS, including $170,000 for a Fauci museum exhibit. This termination, occurring over 48 hours, pertained strictly to administrative costs. Fauci’s legacy, marred by his COVID-19 policies and allegations of misleading Congress about funding gain-of-function research, remains contentious.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has recently terminated over $180 million in contracts linked to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This action included a notable cancellation of approximately $170,000 allocated for a museum exhibit honoring Dr. Anthony Fauci. In just 48 hours, DOGE annulled a total of 62 contracts, emphasizing that these were exclusively for administrative costs and did not affect healthcare initiatives.
The specific contracts canceled by DOGE included a substantial $168,000 for the Fauci exhibit at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) museum. The funds were planned for usage between July 2024 and July 2025, although detailed descriptions of the exhibit remain scarce. HHS mentioned the exhibit was set to highlight Fauci’s extensive career serving in various federal capacities since 1968.
Dr. Fauci’s legacy has faced scrutiny due to the controversial COVID measures he supported, which included mask mandates and social distancing requirements. Additionally, his backing of vaccination mandates led to significant backlash, particularly concerning the dismissal of military personnel who refused compliance. Such actions have significantly impacted public perception of his contributions.
Dr. Fauci has also faced allegations concerning misleading Congress regarding US funding for gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), the location where COVID is believed to have originated. During a Senate hearing in May 2021, Fauci denied funding such research, claiming the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases “never and does not now fund gain-of-function research.”
However, internal emails from February 2020 revealed discussions among Fauci, Dr. Francis Collins, and Dr. Peter Daszak, acknowledging that Wuhan researchers were engaged in gain-of-function studies aimed at understanding how bat viruses could adapt to infect humans. Fauci voiced concerns that COVID-19 might have been genetically modified, further complicating his narrative amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In conclusion, Elon Musk’s DOGE has taken significant steps by revoking over $180 million in contracts from HHS, notably including funding for a Fauci museum exhibit. This action highlights a broader focus on administrative expenses rather than healthcare programs. Dr. Fauci’s complex legacy, marked by controversial COVID-19 policies and ongoing allegations regarding the funding of gain-of-function research, continues to influence public discourse.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
