Key facts
- Anthony Fauci's diary entries from the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic have been released.
- The entries describe Donald Trump as "rambling," "crazy," "desperate," "bumbling," "incompetent," "an idiot," "a true embarrassment," "totally nuts," and "truly an obnoxious adolescent."
- Fauci noted Trump's focus on publicity and ratings, including a desire for multiple daily press conferences.
- Fauci believed Trump was downplaying the virus's seriousness for political and re-election purposes.
- Fauci admitted to speaking with Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward for a book on the early COVID-19 response.
- The diaries were released by Senator Rand Paul, a critic of Fauci's pandemic leadership.
Newly released diary entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci reveal his deep disillusionment with President Donald Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic during the first year of the crisis. The entries, orchestrated for release by Republican Senator Rand Paul, portray Trump with a series of highly critical descriptions, including "rambling," "crazy," "desperate," "bumbling," "incompetent," "an idiot," "a true embarrassment," "totally nuts," and "truly an obnoxious adolescent."
Fauci's writings detail challenging interactions with Trump from the early days of the pandemic. On February 27, 2020, Fauci recounted a late-night call where Trump wanted to discuss the coronavirus situation. Fauci advised Trump not to downplay the seriousness of the virus, suggesting that honesty would be better for his re-election chances and public respect, even if it impacted the stock market. However, Fauci noted that Trump continued to underplay the situation the following day.
By March 2020, Fauci expressed frustration with Trump's fixation on "ratings and publicity," leading to a demand for two press conferences daily, which he felt left no time for actual work. In May 2020, Fauci wrote that Trump was "desperate" to reopen the country and boost the economy before Election Day, a sentiment he reiterated in October 2020, calling Trump "out of control" and "a true embarrassment" as cases surged.
Fauci also admitted to speaking with Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward on background for a book about the early COVID-19 response, providing historical context. Senator Rand Paul, a vocal critic of Fauci, has long questioned the pandemic response and Fauci's role, particularly regarding the virus's origins. Paul has accused Fauci of needlessly prolonging lockdowns and covering up information about the virus being human-made.
The two men have a history of public confrontations, with Fauci previously stating that Paul's attacks endangered him and his family. Fauci is scheduled to appear at a hearing with Paul on Wednesday, where Paul intends to question Fauci about his "dangerous decisions."
Coverage in some right-wing media has focused on Fauci's notes about his celebrity status during the pandemic, mentioning encounters with figures like Joan Baez, Julia Roberts, and Sean Penn. Fauci himself noted in his diary on July 13, 2020, a "Major, Major show of support for me" from various sectors, with many expressing outrage that the Trump administration would attempt to discredit him.