19 lab leak theory thinks Trump went too easy on China

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Donald Trump for being overly deferential to Chinese leadership, particularly regarding the virus's origins. Initially, Democrats, including Harris, opposed linking the virus to China, even denouncing terms like 'Chinese Virus' and 'Wuhan Virus' as racist. However, after taking office, the Biden administration pressured tech companies to censor discussions about the lab leak theory, which suggests the virus may have originated from a lab in Wuhan. Harris pointed out that Trump had publicly thanked President Xi for China's efforts in managing the outbreak, despite the lack of transparency from China about the virus's origins. This statement was made during a presidential debate, highlighting a stark contrast in how the two parties approached the pandemic. Trump's tweet on January 24, 2020, expressed gratitude to Xi, which Harris deemed inappropriate given the circumstances. The Biden campaign accused Trump of racism and xenophobia for his use of the term 'Chinese Virus,' claiming it contributed to a rise in anti-Asian sentiment. In response, Harris sponsored a resolution in 2020 condemning such terminology as harmful and perpetuating stigma against Asian Americans. The Biden administration later issued an executive order aimed at combating racism against Asian Americans, attributing some of the xenophobic sentiments to the previous administration's rhetoric. Despite her earlier stance, Harris's recent comments suggest a shift in narrative, as she now holds Trump accountable for his perceived leniency towards China during the pandemic. This evolution in rhetoric raises questions about the consistency of the Democratic approach to the pandemic and its origins.