Fact check
Is it true: Pfizergate: Ursula von der Leyen / Pfizer Bourla SMS (2021)?
Partly — it's more complicated than the claim suggests.
NYT investigation (Apr 2021) documented private vdL-Bourla texts driving the €71B Pfizer vaccine contract. EU Commission refused FOI access, claiming no records. EU Ombudsman found maladministration (Jan 2022). EPPO opened criminal investigation (Jan 2023). ECJ ruling (May 2025) partially ordered text release. Core facts are documented; criminal liability determination is ongoing.
The claim
In April 2021, a New York Times investigation revealed that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had exchanged private text messages with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla that were instrumental
Key evidence
NYT investigation documented private vdL-Bourla text negotiations
No evidence of personal financial benefit to vdL confirmed
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