Key facts
- Thousands of pages of Dr. Anthony Fauci's diary entries have been released by Senator Rand Paul's office.
- The diaries reveal early discussions about the possibility of a lab-origin for COVID-19.
- Officials were divided on the extent of travel restrictions from China in early 2020.
- Fauci expressed concern that President Donald Trump was downplaying the severity of the pandemic.
- The entries describe a warm working relationship between Fauci and Trump in the initial stages of the outbreak.
- Fauci's interactions with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows reportedly soured.
Thousands of pages of Dr. Anthony Fauci's private diary entries have been released by Senator Rand Paul's office ahead of Fauci's scheduled testimony on the federal government's COVID-19 response. The diaries offer a behind-the-scenes look at the pandemic's early months, detailing internal debates, personal observations, and interactions with key figures.
Among the revelations are early discussions about the origins of the virus, including the possibility of a lab leak. In a January 31, 2020 entry, Fauci noted concerns raised by scientists about specific features of the virus that warranted closer scrutiny, mentioning the possibility of deliberate insertion and release from a lab. The following day, a call with prominent scientists revealed disagreements on the likelihood of a laboratory origin, though further investigation was agreed upon.
The diaries also highlight divisions among officials regarding travel restrictions from China. An entry from January 26, 2020, shows Fauci and others opposing broad border closures pushed by White House officials, while supporting measures like airport screening and quarantines.
Fauci's entries reveal his concerns about public health messaging and his interactions with President Donald Trump. He noted on January 22, 2020, that he stressed the U.S. was taking the situation seriously after Trump had spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In a February 27, 2020 entry, Fauci recounted urging Trump not to downplay the outbreak's seriousness, warning of potential problems if the threat was minimized and the virus worsened.
Despite public disagreements, Fauci's diaries describe a warmer private relationship with Trump during the early stages of the pandemic. Trump reportedly praised Fauci, sought his advice, and expressed reliance on him. However, Fauci's relationship with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows reportedly deteriorated, with entries detailing Meadows's alleged threats to limit Fauci's television appearances and push him to soften his public messaging. Fauci also described interactions with other administration officials and media figures, including CNN anchor Jake Tapper.