DISINFO ALERT: Lies About Russia's Fauci Extradition Request and Ukraine Biolabs

Disinformation thrives on fear, confusion, and division—staying informed is our best defense.

Tonight, I’m doing my disinfo alert on two lies that are overlapping with one tied to Russia’s longstanding disinformation operations.

Disinfo Alert #1: Trump Executive Order and “Bioweapon Production” Claims

LIE: Trump is preparing an executive order to halt U.S. funding for “gain-of-function” research, ‘exposing bioweapon production in Ukraine and elsewhere. This marks the beginning of a COVID-19 reckoning.’

Source:
Pro-Russian disinformation account on X.

Dissemination Route: Amplified through disinformation networks on social media, falsely tying U.S. virus research to non-existent bioweapon production and labs disinformation in Ukraine that have circulated and been recycled by Russia numerous times over the decade.

Reality: The truth is bad enough! WSJ reported that Trump is drafting an executive order that would temporarily halt U.S. funding for research that makes viruses that are more virulent or contagious

• The proposed halt aims to assess the safety and oversight of experiments where scientists modify viruses in secure labs.

• The order, still in development, does not implicate bioweapon production and there is NO mention of Ukraine.

• Claims of bioweapon research in Ukraine are part of a decade-long Russian disinformation operation aimed at undermining global trust in the U.S. and its support of Ukraine.

Goal: To reignite conspiracies around COVID-19, fuel anti-science sentiments, and propagate debunked bioweapon narratives as part of Russia’s persistent effort to weaken U.S. and European support for Ukraine.

Counter:

Verify Sources: Rely on official statements and credible reporting (e.g., Wall Street Journal) for accurate information.

Debunk Bioweapon Claims: Reinforce that “bioweapon labs in Ukraine” have been debunked numerous times over the past decade.

Highlight Facts: Share expert opinions emphasizing the importance of regulated scientific research for pandemic preparedness.

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Disinfo Alert #2: Putin Extradition Request for Dr. Anthony Fauci

LIE: Putin is seeking to extradite Dr. Anthony Fauci for “Crimes Against Humanity” as part of a deal to stop Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Source: X account @CilComLFC and disinformation fake news outlet The People’s Voice, run by Sean Adl-Tabatabai, known for managing fake news sites like Your News Wire and NewsPunch.

Dissemination Route: US far-right and MAGA circles on social media, perpetuating baseless lies stemming from Russia’s decade-long disinformation operation about U.S.-funded Biolab in Ukraine and Covid.

Reality: This is a lie.

• No reliable news sources in the U.S. or Russia have reported Putin making such a request.

• The U.S. and Russia lack an extradition treaty.

Goal: To spread lies linking Fauci to non-existent U.S. bioweapon labs in Ukraine and further undermine public trust in U.S. agencies.

Counter:

Expose the Lie: Emphasize that no credible evidence supports this claim and highlight the lack of an extradition treaty between Russia and the U.S.

Debunk Biolab Myths: Help people understand the roots of this disinformation operation, which ties back to Russian attempts to undermine U.S. foreign policy and Ukraine.

Promote Media Literacy: Encourage questioning viral claims and looking for information from reliable sources.