Ex-biden Official Concedes Lab Leak Likely Behind COVID Origins

WHO:

IJR - Dr. Ashish Jha, former Biden White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator

Fox News - Dr. Ashish Jha, CNN's Dana Bash, commentator Jamie Metzl

WHAT:

IJR - Dr. Ashish Jha now believes the COVID-19 pandemic most likely began with an accidental laboratory leak.

Fox News - Jha stated, "I pretty much agree with everything here," regarding a tweet from Jamie Metzl about the lab leak theory.

Fox News - Jha concluded that it is "more likely to have been a lab leak" based on new information he has learned.

WHERE:

Fox News - The interview took place on CNN.

WHEN:

Fox News - Jha made his statements during a Sunday interview in 2026.

WHY:

Fox News - Jha's shift in belief is attributed to new information he has encountered since his initial views when he entered the Biden administration.

HOW:

Fox News - Jha emphasized the need for transparency and accountability from officials in China regarding the origins of COVID-19.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 07:41 UTC)

Dr. Ashish Jha, who served as the COVID-19 Response Coordinator under Biden, now believes the pandemic most likely began with an accidental laboratory leak, a shift in perspective he attributes to new information since his time in the administration. During a Sunday interview on CNN, Jha expressed agreement with commentator Jamie Metzl's tweet about the lab leak theory, stating that it is "more likely to have been a lab leak." He also emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability from Chinese officials regarding the origins of COVID-19.