Falsified Studies Found in HHS Report: Press Secretary Cites 'Formatting Issues'

The White House press briefing on May 29, 2025, saw a heated exchange between a reporter and Karoline Leavitt, Press Secretary. The reporter questioned the validity of studies cited in the recently released HHS's MAHA report, suggesting several were fabricated. A NOTUS investigation supports these claims, uncovering falsified articles and studies with authors denying their involvement. Leavitt responded by attributing the discrepancies to "formatting issues," asserting the report is undergoing revisions. This incident raises serious concerns about the accuracy and reliability of government reports. The reporter's direct quote, "An investigation from NOTUS revealed that the report included a number of falsified articles, as well as studies that listed authors who have since confirmed they did not write them," underscores the gravity of the situation. Leavitt's response, while acknowledging errors, does little to alleviate concerns. The incident highlights the importance of transparency and rigorous fact-checking in government publications.