meet

In early September, Yan Limeng met with Danny Danny, an infectious disease expert at Georgetown University.

Dr. Daniel Lucey, who has suggested that the virus may be a laboratory experiment

product. Dr Lucy said Yan Limeng's partner had arranged the meeting in hopes of finding a credible

Scientists came to support her claim. "That's the only reason I go there," he said.

Over four hours, Yan Limeng recounted her background and research, while her companion (Lu

West declined to name the man) impatiently in and out of the room. He said that Yan Limeng seemed to be

of believe the virus has been weaponized, but struggle to explain why.

Finally, the companion asked Lucy if he thought Yan Limeng had "conclusive evidence". Lucy says himself

Thinking otherwise, the meeting quickly ended.

A few days later, Yan Limeng published a 26-page research paper that he said could prove the virus was man-made.

The paper spread rapidly online.

The paper was not peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal, but was published in a

Online Open Access Repository. It is supported by two nonprofits funded by Guo Wengui. Bannon

Said that the three other co-authors of the paper have all used pseudonyms for security reasons.

Virologists immediately dismissed the paper as "pseudoscience" and "based on speculation." Some people worry that this

The paper is full of diagrams, full of "unique furin cleavage sites" and "RBM-hACE2 junctions"

scientific terminology such as the

"It's full of scientific terms, jumbled together, and looks impressive

moment, but does not substantiate her point," said Johns Hopkins

University immunologist Gigi Kwik Gronvall said,

She is one of several authors who have written to refute Yan Limeng's report.

Other misinformation about the pandemic has underscored the so-called expertise. Spring, a 26-minute

Video goes viral with a discredited US scientist accusing hospitals of exaggerating their connection to the virus

related deaths. In July, in a video, some people in white lab coats called themselves "Americans"

doctor” and suggested that masks are ineffective in preventing the virus; the video was caught on social media for sharing false information

Body platform removed.

On September 15, the day after the report was published, Yan Limeng won her biggest stage yet: with the tower

Ke Carlson on Fox News. Carlson's hit show has often been a hit

Loud right-wing microphone.

Carlson asked Yan Limeng whether Chinese officials released the virus intentionally or unintentionally. Yan

Li Meng answered without hesitation.

"Of course it was intentional," she said.

The video went viral online.

The video of the interview has been viewed online despite Facebook and Instagram calling it disinformation

At least 8.8 million. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and others

Prominent conservatives shared it on Twitter. Franklin Trump, an evangelical supporter of Trump

Rev. Franklin Graham posted about Yan Limeng on Facebook

, it became the most-shared link posted by a U.S. Facebook account that day.

Another Fox host, Lou Dobbs, tweeted a segment of his discussion with a guest.

On Yan Limeng's "Major Case" video. Trump retweeted the tweet.

The audience was ready to hear her point of view, and they welcomed Yan Limeng. A March poll released

Nearly 30 percent of Americans now believe the virus was likely created in a lab.

"Once it's covered by Tucker Carlson, it's no longer fringe opinion," University at Buffalo

Professor Yotam Ophir, who studies disinformation at the University at Buffalo

teach. "It's mainstream now."

Fox News declined to comment.

A few weeks later, Carlson said on the show that he could not endorse Yan Limeng's theory. Anyway, he still

Invited her back as a guest, detailing her latest statement: She told him that her mother was taken by China

Government arrests.

The Chinese government routinely harassed critics' families as punishment. But the Times contacted by mobile phone in October

When she was Yan Limeng's mother, she said that she had never been arrested and wanted to get in touch with her daughter very much.

I haven't spoken to my daughter for months.

She declined to give further information and asked not to be named, citing fears that Yan Limeng would be taken by her new ally

manipulate.

"They prevented their daughter from contacting us," said her mother, referring to Guo Wengui and Wang Dinggang.

"I want my daughter to know that she can video with us at any time."