Newly declassified diary entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci, released by Senator Rand Paul, expose his candid, often unvarnished, opinions on a wide array of figures during the COVID-19 pandemic, including President Donald Trump, White House officials, and numerous celebrities. Early entries depict a seemingly cordial relationship with Trump, with Fauci noting the President’s praise and reliance on him, describing Trump as appearing “enamored” with his growing public profile. However, the diaries detail a significant deterioration in Fauci’s relationship with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who allegedly threatened to sideline Fauci from television appearances and repeatedly pressured him to alter his public messaging, even resorting to “screaming” over Fauci’s comments. Conversely, Fauci identified White House communications director Alyssa Farah as an ally, noting her acknowledgment of internal resistance to his media requests and her promise to facilitate them. The entries also reveal a sharp denunciation of Michael Caputo, then HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, whom Fauci labeled a “con man who is completely full of sh–,” accusing him of publicly supporting while privately blocking media appearances. Prominent television journalists, particularly CNN’s Jake Tapper, are frequently mentioned, with Fauci documenting their interactions, including private assurances from Tapper about interview fallout and a particularly heated diary entry where Fauci dismisses criticism from The Atlantic’s Peter Nicholas with a vulgar expletive. Exchanges with CNN’s Dana Bash also appear, where she offered support after a contentious hearing with Rep. Jim Jordan, even relaying a joke from Wolf Blitzer. Beyond the political sphere, Fauci’s diary reads like a celebrity guest list, detailing interactions with figures like Julia Roberts, who hosted him on Instagram Live and sent flowers, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, comedian Trevor Noah, NBA star Steph Curry, actors Sean Penn and Matt Damon, and rapper Lil Wayne, illustrating his own burgeoning celebrity status amidst the crisis. The diary concludes with an unexpected encounter at the Kennedy Center Honors, where Fauci noted hugging Hunter Biden, who remarked on the potential media firestorm if they were photographed together due to their shared targeting by the right-wing GOP.
Adapted from: Latest Political News on Fox News
