VINCE Podcast Episode 44: Jay Bhattacharya on Secret Bio-Labs, COVID Origins, and MAHA

Release Date: May 15, 2025
Host: Vince Coglianese
Guest: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Introduction

In this episode of VINCE, host Vince Coglianese delves into pressing political and health-related issues with a special guest, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Vince sets the stage by addressing recent political turmoil and introduces Dr. Bhattacharya to discuss alarming developments within bio-laboratories and the origins of COVID-19.

Political Turmoil and Law Enforcement Assaults

Vince opens the discussion by highlighting incidents involving Democrats assaulting police officers at an ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey. He expresses frustration over the lack of accountability for these actions.

Vince (00:00): "If you strike a police officer, I'm pretty sure the rule is you're supposed to be arrested and charged for that."

He critiques Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem's handling of the situation, emphasizing her call for equal application of the law without naming specific individuals involved.

Kristi Noem (05:20): "...Members of Congress should not break into detention centers or federal facilities."

Vince stresses the importance of holding members of Congress accountable for their actions, advocating for arrests to reinforce the rule of law.

Vince (06:28): "These guys are violating the law... We saw them on camera... Just arrest these people."

He further critiques the lack of response from the Justice Department and highlights Congressman AOC's (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) defiance against enforcing the law.

Interview with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya

Welcome and Team Praise

Vince welcomes Dr. Bhattacharya, praising the new team at the NIH under the Trump administration for their commitment to combating corporate corruption and prioritizing American health.

Vince (21:21): "It's hard to imagine how this cast could get better, sir."

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (21:53): "The team is incredible... We're all aligned in the same direction. The focus is how do we improve the health of the American people."

Critique of NIH's Past Actions

Dr. Bhattacharya reflects on his association with the Great Barrington Declaration, advocating for focused protection during the COVID-19 pandemic. He defends the stance against lockdowns, emphasizing their negative impacts on mental health and exacerbation of the opioid crisis.

Dr. Bhattacharya (23:11): "Protect the vulnerable and don't disrupt the lives of kids. We had years of this opioid epidemic... the lockdowns accelerated it."

Concerns About Bio-Labs and COVID Origins

Vince shifts the conversation to bio-laboratory safety and the origins of COVID-19. Dr. Bhattacharya expresses grave concerns about gain-of-function research, which involves manipulating viruses to study their potential impacts.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (28:27): "The NIH should be entirely a civilian organization... The mixing of missions poisons the NIH's primary objective."

He criticizes the NIH's involvement with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, suggesting that such collaborations may have inadvertently contributed to the pandemic through insufficient safety measures.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (31:20): "The President's order essentially says no more of it... We should be promoting an international treaty to get rid of this work."

Dr. Bhattacharya details a recent security breach at Fort Detrick, a high-security NIH-run lab, where a contractor sabotaged a colleague's biohazard suit. This incident underscores the urgent need for stringent safety protocols.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (35:37): "We have to have 100% commitment to safety... I won't reopen the lab until I'm satisfied that safety has been redressed."

Budget and Political Pressures

Vince inquires about the NIH's substantial budget and potential political pressures from Congress. Dr. Bhattacharya asserts that the NIH remains bipartisan and focused on advancing human health without succumbing to politicization.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (41:01): "The NIH is absolutely committed to advancing the health of minority populations... There's no Democrat or Republican science. There's just science."

He highlights successful programs like PEPFAR, which provides affordable HIV medications in Africa, contrasting them with politicized initiatives that detract from scientific progress.

Additional Political Commentary

Following the interview, Vince shares updates on other political figures and events:

• Ed Martin and Dan Bongino: Vince discusses Ed Martin's collaboration with Dan Bongino in investigating alleged government weaponization against its own people, emphasizing ongoing efforts to resolve the January 6th pipe bomber case.

• RFK Jr.'s Testimony: He references RFK Jr.'s recent congressional testimony, where he criticizes the government's sluggish response and praises swift actions taken in certain health-related areas.

• House Republicans' Communications: Vince critiques the House Republicans for their social media messaging, particularly their bilingual tweets, which he perceives as ineffective and contrary to previous executive orders promoting English as the official language.

• Congressman Sri Tendahar: He mocks Congressman Sri Tendahar's attempts to impeach President Trump, highlighting personal attacks and questioning the congressman's credibility.

Conclusion

Vince wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of accountability in both political and scientific arenas. He commends Dr. Bhattacharya for his candid insights and expresses anticipation for future discussions on vaccine safety and bio-lab regulations.

Vince (48:16): "Great stuff out of Dr. Bhattacharya... Thanks again doc, for doing that."

Listeners are encouraged to stay engaged through the podcast’s live sessions and nationwide radio show.

Notable Quotes

• Vince on Political Accountability (06:28): "Just arrest these people... They don't have to spend the rest of their lives in jail, but send a message."

• Dr. Bhattacharya on NIH's Mission (21:53): "The focus is how do we improve the health of the American people."

• Dr. Bhattacharya on Gain-of-Function Research (28:27): "We should be promoting an international treaty to get rid of this work."

• Vince on Lab Safety (38:52): "And so I ordered the lab essentially shut down until further notice."

Key Takeaways

• Political Accountability: The episode underscores the need for equal application of the law, especially concerning members of Congress engaging in unlawful activities.

• Scientific Integrity: Dr. Bhattacharya highlights critical issues within the NIH, advocating for transparency, safety in bio-labs, and the cessation of risky research practices like gain-of-function studies.

• Interagency Cooperation: Emphasis on collaborative efforts within the Trump administration to reform health agencies and prioritize genuine scientific advancement over politicization.

• Ongoing Investigations: Updates on efforts by Ed Martin and Dan Bongino to investigate and resolve politically charged cases, reflecting a broader theme of combating governmental abuse.

Disclaimer: The views and statements expressed in this summary are based on the transcript provided and do not reflect the endorsement or opinions of OpenAI.