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U.S. Military Ran Secret 2020 Anti-Vax Campaign Targeting Filipino Public, Discrediting China's Sinovac

Jun 14, 2024, 02:15 PM

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the U.S. military, under Donald Trump, launched a secret propaganda operation to counter China's growing influence in Southeast Asia. This clandestine program aimed to discredit China's Sinovac vaccine, particularly targeting the Filipino public. The Pentagon's effort involved creating fake social media accounts, including at least 300 accounts, to spread rumors about the safety and efficacy of China's vaccines and other aid. A small U.S. military unit based in Florida spearheaded the campaign. Health experts have condemned the operation, calling it indefensible and stating that it put innocent lives at risk. The campaign was reportedly initiated as payback for Beijing's efforts to blame Washington for the pandemic.