Document text
constant in a time of uncertainty,” The Washington Post’s Ellen
McCarthy and Ben Terris reported. But his admirers — and there are a lot of them —
worry that it’s only a matter of time before he’s sidelined by Trump.
When Fauci missed a White House news conference earlier this month, panic erupted on
Twitter, along with speculation that he could be sick. There was palpable relief when he
resumed his regular position at the podium the following day and appeared to hide some
exasperation as Trump referenced “the deep state.”
Fauci later explained that he had simply been trying to dislodge a lozenge from his throat.
But the much-analyzed “Fauci facepalm” had already become a meme, deployed by
liberal members of what’s known as the resistance .
Fauci’s newfound fame can be partially attributed to his willingness to engage with all
forms of media — in recent weeks, he’s gone on a Barstool Sports podcast, chatted with
basketball star Steph Curry on Instagram Live as Barack Obama listened in, and appeared
on “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah.”
But it also undoubtedly helps that his fans tend to take social distancing seriously and
consequently have ample spare time to produce fan art or perform songs written (or
modified) in his honor.
On social media, Fauci’s virtual fan clubs peruse old photos of the infectious disease
expert in search of “comfy turtleneck vibes,” stitch his face on embroidery hoops and
discuss erecting statues as tribute. They frost his name on cookies and joke about
constructing shrines in his honor. Prominent activists and entertainers confess to wanting
to marry him, or have him tuck them into bed.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
748Fauci has remained characteristically modest about his new status as a cult figure. “Well,
that’s very nice,” he responded when McCarthy and Terris mentioned that people all over
the country were praying for him. Of course, that means that his fan base has only
continued to grow.
“I never met a guy that, worldwide, he is so loved,” Semeraro, the Rochester doughnut
shop owner, told CNN. “And a month ago, we never knew his first and last name.”
Disclaimer: Any third-party material in this email has been shared for internal use under fair use
provisions of U.S. copyright law, without further verification of its accuracy/veracity. It does not
necessarily represent my views nor those of NIAID, NIH, HHS, or the U.S. government.
Chris Cuomo has COVID-19.
Big issue today is whether w should be recommending masks for everyone. We
probably were too strong in saying masks do not work. I mentioned this on CNN
(Sciutto) this AM.
Still local issues regarding availability of ventilators and PPE and tests. TF
discussions still make it seems like they are out there, I I have no confidence that
they are really getting to the people who need them.
Important phone call tonight organized by David Barr with many ICU and other
docs throughout the country. They calim that PPE is running out, vents are
needed and teting that takes several days to get results are essentially useless to
them. I promisedto bring their concerns to the TF.
Trump continues to become more and more enamored of me.
Joe Grogan organizing small group of me, Deb. Redfield, Hahn, Giroir to solve
practical issues. I am concerned that we are not really connecting the dots from
TF to the trenches. Is Giroir really up to this. Means well. I also have doubts
about Pete and FEMA
We shocked the public when Deb and I mentioned at the Press Conference
that there could be 100,00- to 240,000 deaths in the USA even with maximal
mitigation. I explained that this is the “model”, but we can definitely get the
deaths down below that since it is the data that always trumps the model
PRESS: CNN Newsroom with Jim Sciutto; White House Press conference.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
749April 1, 2020 - Cases still going up. USA - 188,000/3700. Global –
751000/36400
NYC- 43100/1100
Some very early signs in NYC that the number of “new cases’ in starting the
stabilize. However, the deaths always lag and these will continue to increase over
the next week or two.
Did major briefing of the GOP House leadership organized by Liz Cheney and
Kevin McCarthy
Continued crazy stuff: Petition to name me “Sexiest Man Alive”; videos games
named after me; Fauci Bobblehead; dishes in redstaurants named after me, and on
and on.
Had good conversation with Bill Gates tonight who wants the BMGF to partner
with me (NIAID) and BARDA in the advanced development and scaleup of
vaccines, therapeutics. Also, wanted to discuss a strategy for opening up the
country after the wave subsides.
Really very fine podcast with Sanjay Gupta – personal, but very informative
Washington Post for tomorrow:
Media
Perspective
Dr. Fauci symbolizes everything
about the Trump-era media
climate
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
750Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases,
attends a White House briefing. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)
By
Margaret Sullivan
Media columnist
Press is over the top. My picture and stories about me are in the national news
virtually every day. Today and yesterday and tomorrow was flooded with stories.
Too much; impossible to even read all of the stories
PRESS: Fox Radio NYC – Rosanne Scotto; CBS Norah O’Donnell taped for
tonight; NY Times Daily Podcast; White House Press conference
April 2, 2020 – USA – 215500/4600; NYC – 47400/1400
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
751Global – 824000/41000;
Washington Post now reporting that I have a security detail (George Adams).
Also, DC police now guarding my house 24 hrs/day.
Gave briefing to the GOP Senators for 45 minutes similar to House briefing
yesterday.
Terrific Sirius XM – Coach K podcast – wonderful person who was so generous
and complimentary in his comments to me. He called me “the point guard for the
world”
Spoke with Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey who wanted to run by me his
approach to COVID and see if I thought that he was doing all the right things. He
was. He is frustrated that some people still do not adhere to Guidelines even
though he is pushing hard and slappiung penalties on people.
PRESS: CBS This Morning; NBC Today Show with Savannah Guthrie;
CNNTown hall with Sanjay Gupta and Anderson Cooper;
April 3, 2020 – Global - 879000/46000; USA 245000/5500; (real numbers are
probably more; these are CDC numbers – global is 1,000,000/50,000) Deaths and
cases still soaring.
Meeting today virtually (Francis Collins leading) with the Public Private
Partnership to address research and development for COVID-19. Mikael Dolstien
(Pfizer); Paul Stoffels (J & J), etc.
Intense media blitz on me continues. Mentioned by all Late Night TV Shows.
Question of universal wearing of masks dominating conversation
Press conference today: I was originally supposed to be sitting on the side for
questions and at the last minute, they told me that I was not needed. This was not
unreasonable since the presser was about masks and Jerome Adams had been
pushing this and CDC released the guidelines about masks and so it made sense
that I did not need to be there. I mentioned this to Jim Acosta (CNN) and he
made a story that I was excluded from the prsser. This created a firestorm where
CNN made it a story saying that I wa excluded since I had said last night 9CNN
Townhall) and this AM (Fox and Friends) that all states should practice “stay at
home’, and the POTUS has refused to “mandate that”. They painted it as an
exclusion of Fauci since he disagreed with the POTUS, which was not the case.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
752WELCOME TO WASHINGTON. I believe that the White House (mostly
POTUS staff) are starting to get really pissed off at me.
The press conference turned out to be a shit-storm since Jared Kushner got up and
trie to explain things and the press killed him. Also, the POTUS said he would
not wear a mask, which undermined what Jerome and Bob had just said. Glad
that I was not there.
The ridiculous attention to me continues; fan clubs, Swags, am constantly on TV;
countless profiles of me. For example:
T heThe Anthony Fauci Fan Club Twitter account wants you to know one
thing: “If you don’t have a crush on this man, do you even care about public health?”
The account, which quickly skyrocketed to over 13,000 followers in just
the past few days, was launched by three Maryland-based microbiologists
who, at first, created a group chat to “gush over” Fauci in private. “We can’t
be the only ones who are feeling this way,” one said of the esteemed
immunologist.
“Did I mention he’s easy on the eyes?” said another.
The microbiologists aren’t alone. Over the last few weeks, Dr. Fauci stands
have created Facebook fan clubs, TikTok videos, donuts, browser
games and even prayer candles in celebration of the scientist leading the
Trump administration’s novel coronavirus response. A 79-year-old career
scientist isn’t usually the type of person the internet feverishly stans over.
But under these extreme circumstances, Fauci has emerged as the
comforting leader the internet, and the US, needs now more than ever.
Anthony Fauci Fan Club@FauciFan
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
754“It is the moment to exercise and practice fandom,” Abigail De Kosnik,
director of the Berkeley Center for New Media and a fandom specialist,
told The Verge. De Kosnik says fandom around Fauci is thriving right now
because it’s one of the only ways we can “connect to the outside world”
and interact with strangers since we can’t see anyone physically. “Fandom
is what remains.”
For years, political figures — like Fauci — who have spoken truth to power
in tumultuous times in history have become the ideal breeding ground for
fandom. According to Know Your Meme, Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s rise to
internet celebrity stardom corresponded with the creation of a Tumblr
blog entitled Notorious R.B.G., invoking the name of the famous hip-hop
artist, The Notorious B.I.G. The blog launched in celebration of Ginsburg’s
lauded 2013 dissent in the Shelby County v. Holder case that struck down
parts of the Voting Rights Act. That dissent paired with the blog’s memes
was just the flint in creating a fire of RBG fan content and merch that
continues today. The excitement around Fauci is creating a similar
community, focused around bringing hope and joy to one another during
this pandemic.
The fandom has grown rapidly with stans posting a slew of memes and
merch all across the internet. Etsy and Amazon are littered with T-shirts
that feature the scientist. One asks “What would Fauci do?” Another Etsy
seller has made prayer candles featuring Fauci depicted as an angel with a
halo around his head. Pastry shops across the country are selling donuts
with Fauci’s face surrounded in red, white, and blue buttercream. Fauci’s
constant status in American life amid the pandemic has made it even more
noticeable when he’s absent. When Fauci did not make an appearance at a
White House press briefing last month, the hashtag #WhereisFauci went
viral on social media, as though Fauci stood up the internet.
Andrew Banas
✔@AndrewWHAM
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
756The fandom is cross-generational, too. On Facebook, the Dr. Anthony Fauci
Fan Club group touts nearly 40,000 members of all ages. They post news
articles to keep each other informed, but they also share memes honoring
Fauci. In one, Fauci appears on the front page of People magazine as the
“sexiest man alive.” In another, Fauci’s face is photoshopped onto the body
of Captain America. One user posted a Trump-like campaign sign, but
instead of featuring the president’s own infamous slogan, it reads, “Fauci:
Make Science Great Again 2020.”
“Just saw this, and thought I’d share,” the poster wrote. “Humor helps me
endure.”
“HUMOR HELPS ME ENDURE”
On TikTok, influencers like celebrity blogger Perez Hilton have posted
videos featuring Fauci’s viral press briefing facepalm from earlier this
month. “This is how I feel right now,” Hilton wrote in the video’s caption. In
another, Coldplay’s “The Scientist” plays as images of Fauci dissolve into
one another beneath the caption, “BREAKING NEWS: Dr. Fauci has been
hospitalized from carrying the entire nation on his back.”
Fauci fandom has also provided comic relief and emotional support for
people struggling through this unprecedented crisis. On the Facebook page
earlier this week, one member made a plea for reassurance. “Will we ever
be able to go back to ‘normal’? My anxiety is telling me this is going to last
forever...” The post received over 100 replies, a majority of them offering
optimistic statistics or messages of support reassuring the user that they
weren’t alone — valuable messages at a time when large swaths of the US’s
population are stuck indoors with their lives entirely uprooted from what
they were before.
In a moment like this, Fauci has become a comforting figure for those who
are struggling. “He’s kind of like this kind, old, wise mentor figure that
we’re thirsty for right now,” Scott T. Allison, a professor of psychology who
specializes in heroism and leadership at the University of Richmond,
told The Verge. “He’s the grandfather who will tell it to you straight and tell
it to you lovingly.” And Americans agree. According to Business Insider,
Americans trust Fauci more than President Trump and Treasury Secretary
Steven Mnuchin to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
757No one knows how long this pandemic will last, as Fauci mentions at
nearly every briefing. As it continues, today’s circle of Fauci stans could
change the face of fandom in the future, De Kosnik said. “We could see a
different fandom arise around this calmer, more rational and more ‘square’
celebrity or performer,” she said. The appeal of a whimsical or “bad boy”
type celebrity could taper out if uncertainty in daily life continues to grow.
A nerdy pragmatist could become the new focal point for fandom.
Or maybe it’ll just redefine who we see those traits in. “You might say that
Dr. Fauci is a badass — a person who does his job, and does it well, and to
hell with the consequences and to hell with what the boss might think,”
Allison said. “We should all have such courage.”
PRESS: Fox and Friends; PBS NewsHour with Judy Woodruff
April 4, 2020 – Global 972600/50300; USA 277200/6600;
Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas – questions about my statements recently that all states
should do stay at home. He was vey nice ad wanted clarification of what that
meant forTexas and was he already doing what I was saying. In fact, he was for
the most part.
Also, spoke with Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut. Same issues as Gov. Abbott
Washington Post had article ridiculing Jared for his appearance at the Press
conference. They are being a bit unfair. Thick politics going on fueled by
POTUS ridiculous behavior of blaming people for things. He keeps talking about
TV ratings of the press briefings, which fuels the press backlash at him.
In Task Force meeting had a big (unusual) argument with Peter Navarro who
handed out a folder that he says shows studies that Hydroxychloroquine is
effective in COVID. I strenuously objected and he then attacked me saying that I
was the one who was against blocked travel from China when in fact I pushed the
POTUS to do so. Weird guy!! VP and Marc Short acted like Peter was nuts.
See below Axios description of the “confrontation between Navarro and me:
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
758Scoop: Inside the epic White House
fight over hydroxychloroquine
Jonathan Swan
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
760Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
The White House coronavirus task force had its biggest fight yet on Saturday, pitting economic adviser Peter Navarro against infectious disease expert Anthony
Fauci. At issue: How enthusiastically should the White House tout the prospects of an antimalarial drug to fight COVID-19?
Behind the scenes: This drama erupted into an epic Situation Room showdown. Trump's coronavirus task force gathered in the White House Situation Room on
Saturday at about 1:30pm, according to four sources familiar with the conversation. Vice President Mike Pence sat at the head of the table.
• Numerous government officials were at the table, including Fauci, coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx, Jared Kushner, acting Homeland
Security Secretary Chad Wolf, and Commissioner of Food and Drugs Stephen Hahn.
• Behind them sat staff, including Peter Navarro, tapped by Trump to compel private companies to meet the government's coronavirus needs under
the Defense Production Act.
Toward the end of the meeting, Hahn began a discussion of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which Trump believes could be a "game-changer" against the
coronavirus.
• Hahn gave an update about the drug and what he was seeing in different trials and real-world results.
• Then Navarro got up. He brought over a stack of folders and dropped them on the table. People started passing them around.
• "And the first words out of his mouth are that the studies that he's seen, I believe they're mostly overseas, show 'clear therapeutic efficacy,'" said a
source familiar with the conversation. "Those are the exact words out of his mouth."
Navarro's comments set off a heated exchange about how the Trump administration and the president ought to talk about the malaria drug, which Fauci and other
public health officials stress is unproven to combat COVID-19.
• Fauci pushed back against Navarro, saying that there was only anecdotal evidence that hydroxychloroquine works against the coronavirus.
• Researchers have said studies out of France and China are inadequate because they did not include control groups.
• Fauci and others have said much more data is needed to prove that hydroxychloroquine is effective against the coronavirus.
• As part of his role, Navarro has been trying to source hydroxychloroquine from around the world. He's also been trying to ensure that there are
enough domestic production capabilities inside the U.S.
Fauci's mention of anecdotal evidence "just set Peter off," said one of the sources. Navarro pointed to the pile of folders on the desk, which included printouts of
studies on hydroxychloroquine from around the world.
• Navarro said to Fauci, "That's science, not anecdote," said another of the sources.
Navarro started raising his voice, and at one point accused Fauci of objecting to Trump's travel restrictions, saying, "You were the one who early on objected to the
travel restrictions with China," saying that travel restrictions don't work. (Navarro was one of the earliest to push the China travel ban.)
• Fauci looked confused, according to a source in the room. After Trump imposed the travel restrictions, Fauci has publicly praised the president's
restriction on travel from China.
• Pence was trying to moderate the heated discussion. "It was pretty clear that everyone was just trying to get Peter to sit down and stop being so
confrontational," said one of the sources.
• Eventually, Kushner turned to Navarro and said, "Peter, take yes for an answer," because most everyone agreed, by that time, it was important to
surge the supply of the drug to hot zones.
• The principals agreed that the administration's public stance should be that the decision to use the drug is between doctors and patients.
• Trump ended up announcing at his press conference that he had 29 million doses of hydroxychloroquine in the Strategic National Stockpile.
Between the lines: "There has never been a confrontation in the task force meetings like the one yesterday," said a source familiar with the argument. "People
speak up and there's robust debate, but there's never been a confrontation. Yesterday was the first confrontation."
• In response to a request for comment on Axios' reporting, Katie Miller, a spokesperson for the vice president, said: "We don't comment on meetings
in the Situation Room."
The bottom line: The way to discuss the drug's potential has become a fraught issue within the Trump administration.
• Most members of the task force support a cautious approach to discussing the drug until it's proven.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
761• Navarro, on the other hand, is convinced based on his reading that the drug works against the coronavirus and speaks about it enthusiastically.
• Some of Trump's favorite TV hosts, including Fox's Sean Hannity, and friends including Rudy Giuliani, have also been touting the malaria drug for the
coronavirus. Trump has made no secret who he sides with.
• "What do you have to lose? Take it," the president said in a White House briefing on Saturday. "I really think they should take it. But it's their choice.
And it's their doctor's choice or the doctors in the hospital. But hydroxychloroquine. Try it, if you'd like."
POTUS continues to ramble at presser. Prior to the presser, POTUS invited me
and Deb into his inner office at the OVAL and started telling me that as a Catholic
how much of a shame it would be if we did not do a classical Easter and Good
Friday and Palm Sunday. He wanted to figure out how to do a version of it like
outdoor mass or stay in car and do drive in theater-like mass. Hope Hicks and I
convinced him to essentially put Easter on hold for this year. Then he went on and
on (almost pleading) with Me (mostly) and Deb saying that he cannot keep the
country closed beyond the 30-day extension. He rambled on and on that we are
destroying this great country and started rattling off the names of various sports
commissioners (NBA, MLB, NHL, etc.) who said that their sports would be
destroyed if we did not open up. Also, he said industry (all the industrial giants)
would be forever destroyed. He said that he understood where Deb and I were
coming from, but he could not let the country die and so one way or another, he is
opening up in 30 days. He went on and emphasized this over and over at the
press conference, which immediately followed his conversation with me and Deb.
PRESS: White House Press Conference – 1hr 25 minutes. I had the
opportunity to push mitigation sayin that it was our ony weapon right now
and I praised the HCWs saying they were true heroes.
April 5, 2020 – (Sunday) – Major news-outlets (Wash Post, NY Times) starting
to write detailed stories of how the USG (esp. Trump) dropped the ball in response
to COVID-19. CDC getting bashed (in some respects rightly so). Much Monday
morning quarterbacking. Thus far, I am coming out OK, but the response in
general in being bashed.
Global – 1,100,000/57000; USA – 311000/7700; Cases predicted to continue to
rise and deaths increase over next week.
Nice article in Washington Post on the relationship between Deb Birx and me.
Beautiful profile of me on BBC audio featuring Chris and Peter Staley.
I was sitting on steps of EEOB on a conference call reviewing countermeasure
portfolio (BARDA) when a photographer from across the landscape (on Pebble
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
762beach) shot me and focused on my pokadot socks. It got tweeted around the
country. “Birx has her scarfs and Fauci has his socks” Geeeez.
Very amusing and notable dynamics at the TF meeting today. It is Sunday and
we were supposed to have a relatively low-key meeting without a subsequent press
conference. HOWEVER, as we began the TF meeting, we learned that the
POTUS was joining us. He came in and in his usual rambling self starting going
all over the lot and then said that we should have a press conference in 30 minutes
since he wanted to give “good news’. Deb had been saying that the cases were
starting to stabilize in NYC and in a couple of days we could speak about it.
Jared wanted to talk about some good stuff regarding supply chain tomorrow.
POTUS would have none of it. He wanted a press conference now. Everyone
started scrambling to prepare. Of note, ADM John Polowczwk (“Adm P”) gave
some data on supply chain. The POTUS loved and told John to get over to the
WH for the press conference. John was dressed in his Combat Fatigues and
clearly was terrified of appearing on TV when the rules are that you should wear
the standard formal dress (not dress level) for TV appearances out of the combat
zone. He felt that he would be reprimanded by superiors at the Pentagon. It was
clear that he was very nervous and almost frozen. When people in the room
explained to POTUS what was going on, POTUS said “Last time I looked, I was
Commander in Chief and so get your ass down here now”. Then POTUS said:
“Get Gen. Milley (Chair of the Joint Chiefs) on the phone and clear this up. Just
then a Deputy Chair General go on the phone (not sure who it was) and said:
“John, you are good to go. Get over to the White House in your combat fatigues.”
All ended well, although Joh was still clearly nervous as he stood before the
cameras at the WH briefing Room.
Press: Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan; Press briefing in the White
House press room after the TF meeting.
April 6, 2020 – Global – 1,100,000/63,000; USA – 338,000/10,000;
Today did call with Governors (me, Deb, Redfield, Giroir et al). Turned out it was
mostly Governors’s staff and health people as opposed to actual Governors.
Individual Calls with Gov. Ricketts (NE) and Gov. Reynolds (IOWA). They
were concernced about my comment that “I cannot understand why all states have
not done stay at home orders”. They are really already doing as much or more
than some states that have officially issued stay at home orders and they are being
criticized as a result of my comments. We worked it out over the phone. I will
support them and clarify where I can to support them.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
763At the Press Briefing today, I took the opportunity to say that the Govs of NE and
Iowa are doing an excellent job ad are functionally doing exactly what those states
that have stay-at-home orders are doing. Trump dud his usual rambling stream of
consciousness show at the briefing.
Intense publicity about me continues with stories of granmothers who have
crushes on men. Petitions to vote me “Sexiest Man Alive”. Major stories about
my basketball career at Regis.
Janet Tobias pushing to get footage and access to TF workings with me. I am
very reluctant since the optics are bad. My main goal is to stop this outbreak, not
to participate in a documentary. She can do her thing as long as it is not intrusive
to our work.
I am concerned that we really do not have a clerar plan to “open up” the country at
end of April. No one is really in charge or even knows what they are doing. This
is not my area and so I can only provide 40,000 foot perspective, which is not
good.
PRESS: Appeared at the White House Press Briefing.
April 7, 2020 - Global – 1,200,000/68000; USA – 369,000/11,000
Press still hot and heavy about me. Multiple stories per day directly or indirectly
involving me. The debate about the use of HC still dominating the discussion.
Big article in the Washington Post about the long relationship between Deb Birx
and me.
Big challenge today is to firm up a plan on how to approach to re-opening of the
country. I am concerned that there really is no plan and no one is really in charge.
Off-hand mention of “another task force”. Jared is getting involved with us. Deb
supposedly leading it. Deb unhappy with Brett Giroir and bad-mouthing him a bit
as he goes his way continually reporting about how many “tests” are out there. I
do not have a good felling about this.
However, the meeting that we had in the Roosevelt Room tonight made me feel
better. The entire team gathered after the Press conference for 2 hours starting at
7:30 PM. Paul Mango provided a framework for “re-opening” delineating all
the things that need to be in place. Again, much depends on the easy availability
of testing. Present were: Joe Grogan, Kellyanne Comway, Jared Kushner, Bob
Redfield, Steve Hahn, Seema Verma, Deb Birx, Brian Harrison.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
764At presser I discussed the issue of greater pecent of deaths among African-
Americans dues to the health disparities (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, asthma)
that predispose to poor outcome (pneumonia and death).
After all this, at night 9:30 PM Cliff Lane came over my house and we went over
the Guidelines document that he and the group prepared. I will brief Azar on
Thursday and then officialy submit it as a “workstream”.
This is an example of the type of articles that are appearing. This appeared in The
Atlantic today (April 7, 2020):
Why America Is Thirsty for
Anthony Fauci
During the pandemic, a 79-year-old immunologist is
becoming as crushable as a pop star.
KAITLYN TIFFANY
6:30 AM ET
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Released by Chairman Rand Paul
765ALICIA TATONE / THE ATLANTIC
•
•
•Link Copied
•
“If you don’t have a crush on this man, do you even care about public health?”
It’s a question that wouldn’t have made even the slightest bit of sense before the
coronavirus pandemic, and it doesn’t make a ton of sense during it either. Still, it
was posed, above a headshot of Anthony Fauci, by the Twitter account @FauciFan,
which was created three weeks ago and has amassed more than 15,000 followers.
All day, Americans go online to fess up about crushing on Fauci, the director of the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. They dig up his college yearbook
photos and evidence that he once played basketball in short-shorts. They edit his
Wikipedia page, swapping the main photo with one taken 13 years ago, then one from 17
years ago. In my upstate-New York hometown, you can buy donuts with his face on
them. More than 10,000 people have signed a petition to make Fauci People magazine’s
next “Sexiest Man Alive.”
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
766Fauci has had the same job since 1984, and he’s earned national recognition before for
his handling of the HIV/AIDS crisis. But during this epochal natural disaster, as a leading
member of the federal government’s coronavirus task force, he’s more akin to an actual
celebrity, famous for the contrast between his calmly stated expertise and Donald
Trump’s contradictory messaging during White House press briefings. Doodling hearts
all over his face may seem irrational, but times of crisis often breed infatuation with
authorities who can provide guidance and soothe anxiety.
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KAITLYN TIFFANY
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KAITLYN TIFFANY
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What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus
HALEY WEISS
At this moment, smooching anyone is verboten, even reckless, but in isolation and in
daydreams, lots of Americans are thinking about planting one on a 79-year-old
immunologist.
Read: When keeping your distance is the best way to show you care
The @FauciFan Twitter account—which last week featured a photo of a young Fauci
explaining how HIV interacts with the immune system, captioned “#tbt #thirsttrap”—was
created by Sarah Alexander, Tiffany Zarrella, and Leann Zhou, three friends and
microbiologists who work together in Bethesda, Maryland. They are not joking about
their crush.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
767The trio had been talking about their thirst for Fauci over text, and decided to take it
public in hopes that it would be entertaining to other bored and freaked-out people. Zhou,
22, told me that she thinks people are drawn to Fauci’s “cute Brooklyn accent.” She
wouldn’t have been able to guess his age, she added, pointing out that he’s an avid
runner, and has serious light-up-the-room energy. “He’s very knowledgeable and expert,
but he speaks in a really approachable way,” Zarella, 33, told me. “Everyone wants to
know what’s going on, and he delivers.”
Alexander, 25, agrees, saying, “I do personally think that he actually is attractive, and it’s
not unheard of for people to be attracted to older men. Look at Jeff Goldblum.” I
proposed to her that Goldblum is an actual Hollywood star, and that there might be
something strange about presenting Fauci as one. “We’re not trying to prop him up and
make him a celebrity,” she told me. “It’s just an appreciation of him. He’s working 16-
plus-hour days.”
Americans have had plenty of political crushes before. There have been more durable
ones on presidents such as John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and, more recently, Barack
Obama. By the time Obama became a public figure, the internet was ready to amplify
conversations about thirsting over handsome and competent men: In 2007, one of
YouTube’s first mainstream viral hits was a comedy music video called “ Crush on
Obama,” starring the actress Amber Lee Ettinger as a young woman in booty shorts who
wants to make out with the then-senator from Illinois.
“I did develop a crush on Obama,” Ettinger told me. (Today, she’s an Instagram
influencer who posts mom-related lifestyle content.) “He was this young, sauve,
handsome fellow. People felt a personal connection with him when he spoke.” For Fauci,
she speculated, the incentives for crushing are a little bit different. “No. 1, his little New
York accent. He feels like a voice of reason, someone you can trust. He has a calming
presence about him. Supersmart. I think he’s adorable.”
The more obvious precedent for Fauci’s newfound celebrity is another flavor-of-the-week
public figure, Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who became a superhero and stoic
boyfriend to the left during his investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
That in itself was not entirely novel: For a brief period after 9/11, then-Secretary of
Defense Donald Rumsfeld was treated as a sex symbol—as Salon put it, a “hot
Republican war dad.”
Mueller, like Fauci, became crushable because of the perception that he was unflappable,
soberly sifting through facts and ignoring irrelevant clangor during a tense situation. One
woman told the Associated Press last year, “I admire [Mueller’s] mystique. I admire that
I haven’t heard his voice.” But although lots of Americans are making these men into
heartthrobs—whether as a joke or sincerely—it doesn't mean we actually want them to
act like celebrities. We just want to be taken care of, and we don’t want anything to
shatter the illusion that they can save us.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
768There are other crushes of the coronavirus crisis, most notably New York Governor
Andrew Cuomo, whose daily press conferences in state-branded attire have become
appointment television for people living in the epicenter of the country’s
outbreak. Vogue has praised his competence and “imaginary boyfriend” potential, while
the New York Post spoke with moms on Long Island who gushed about eating ice cream
in bed, watching him speak calmly and convincingly of New York’s ability to overcome
the pandemic.
While descriptions of Fauci dwell on how “adorable” he is, Americans’ fascination with
Cuomo is openly grimier. Last week, for instance, Twitter was abuzz with speculation as
to whether a strange-looking wrinkle under the governor’s polo was, in fact, a nipple
ring. A fake dating profile written for the governor by City & State didn’t mention
sweetness or charm, but interests such as “fishing” and “yelling,” as well as the
personality type “laid-back, loose dude, who is always in a cool mood.”
In a recent blog post titled “Help, I Think I’m in Love With Andrew Cuomo??”
the Jezebel writer Rebecca Fishbein ran down the list of things she despises about him
politically, then confessed, “When I stream his presser on the governor’s website—every
day around 11:30 a.m., complete with a PowerPoint presentation—I feel comforted. I feel
alive. I feel protected. I feel ... butterflies.” She’s heard from plenty of New York women
who agree. “A lot of women who are older than me have been emailing me being like,
No I really love him; he has all of his hair,” she told me.
Fishbein lived in New York City during 9/11, and she remembers people feeling similarly
about then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani. And after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, she said, she knew
people who thought that then-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was heroic enough to
feel gooey over. “It [does] not last long, but I think there’s this feeling that somebody is
telling you, in what seems like a straightforward manner, what’s going on,” she said. This
can mutate into a crush with ease. “It’s just your mind playing tricks on you.”
Read: Why people are confessing their crushes right now
This is literally true, says Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist who studies dating
and relationships at Indiana University’s Kinsey Institute. “In times of crisis, people have
a fight-or-flight response. That drives up the testosterone in the brain,” she told me.
“Testosterone triggers various brain systems that can trigger sexual arousal. Testosterone
also has a positive correlation with dopamine, and dopamine is linked with feelings of
romantic love.”
You don’t need me to explain that the past month has been saturated with
feelings, or that your nerves can only tap-dance for so long before your
brain starts to do strange and shocking things. Similar hormones are
involved in both crushing and panicking, and rushes of adrenaline can
lead to attraction, which is presumably why The Bachelor involves so much
bungee jumping and helicopter travel.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
769Crushing on a public official is not particularly fruitful, but it’s hard to
think of a reason not to indulge in it a little bit. Even in normal
circumstances, a crush is a diversion from everything we’re worried about.
Pointless crushes may be, if anything, even more necessary during a
pandemic, when the only other stimuli are horrifying. Crushes spike up
and surprise us—uncomfortable but fun, sweet but nauseating.
Thirsting over Fauci won't stop the pandemic, but at least it can keep us
busy. I recently stumbled across a video of a woman named Jill playing
guitar and singing, in a school-teacher voice, a love song for him. “Please
stay safe doctor,” the song ends, “you’re our only hope.”
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or
write to [email protected].
KAITLYN TIFFANY is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she covers technology.
ConnectTwitter
ALSO, see article today in The Nation by Jeet Heer entitled “Dr. Anthony Fauci
has a target on his back”. The story says that the right wing, including Rudy
Giuliani, is out to get me because of my stance on HC and because I am
responsible for shutting down the government and ruining the economy.
From today regarding deaths:
The fatality rate remains unclear, estimates of the proportion of people contracting the
virus who never show symptoms ranges from 25 to 50 percent and there is no clear
explanation for why it proves so deadly for some people who are relatively young and
previously in good health.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
770PRESS: Local Radio hits – Jason Rantz Show KTTH Seattle; The John and
Ken Show (California – KFI AM640 Los Angeles); Multiple local (from
around the country) TV hits in EEOB; White House press conference.
April 8, 2020 – Global – 1,300,000/73,000; USA – 398,000/13,000
As we predicted, yesterday was the most deaths in single day in USA. However,
indications from NYC aree that cases, hospitalizations, intensive care and
intubations have been down for past few days. Remember – deaths always lag by
about 2 weeks behind new cases. Could be first clear sign of turnaround.
Now focusing on how to “re-open” the country safely (see meeting last night)
Bobblehead raising money:
Fauci bobblehead raises $100,000 for American
Hospital Association
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
772Growing concern about fact that African-Americans are dying much more than
other racial/ethnic groups. Certainly due largely to the increase in underlying
conditions among them such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, asthma
PRESS: FOX TV – America’s Newsroom; Eric Bolling Sinclair TV; White
House Press Conference.
April 9, 2020 (Thursday) – Global -1,400,000/80,000; USA– 430,000/15,000;
Getting ready to submit the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines that Cliff led.
Briefed AZAR by phone he liked it but wanted to make sure that Nancy
Messonnier was OK with it since we did not want CDC to be coming out with
objections. I called Nancy and found out in a poignant call that she no longer is
involved in the COVID response. I do not believe that Azar knows this. Who
removed her??? Tim Uyeki is representative for CDC on the Guidelines Panel.
TF Conference call with Senate GOP and Dems – usual questions about when to
re-open the country
Another example of craziness. This below in the New Yorker:
By Andy Borowitz
April 8, 2020
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
773Photograph by Lo Scalzo / Bloomberg / Getty
WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—In what he described as a “potentially major
breakthrough,” Dr. Anthony Fauci has convinced Donald Trump to attack COVID-19 as
if it were an inspector general.
Fauci, who has been frustrated in his efforts to get through to Trump, compared the
global pandemic to an inspector general while in a closed-door meeting with the
President on Wednesday.
“What do you hate more than anything, Mr. President?” Fauci asked.
“Jim Acosta,” Trump immediately replied.
“O.K., fine. But, besides Jim Acosta,” Fauci said, “it would be an inspector general,
right?”
“You’re right, Tony,” Trump agreed. “I hate those losers.”
“Well, think of COVID-19 as the worst inspector general in the world,” Fauci continued.
“It’s overseeing everything you do and making you follow the law. It’s keeping you from
spending taxpayer money on anything you want. You wouldn’t stand for that, would
you?”
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
774Reportedly, Trump appeared shaken by Fauci’s analogy. “Damn it, Tony, when you put it
that way, we’ve got to do something about COVID-19,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, Fauci said that he was “cautiously optimistic” that his inspector-
general analogy would finally spur Trump to action, but added, “Jared could still screw
this up.”
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Again, countless print press stories about me directly or indirectly. Far, far too
many for me to even think about reading. Some day, maybe, go back and read.
Eveyone asking about the plasn for re-opening the ountry
PRESS: ABC -Good Morning America with George Stephanopoulos; NBC
Today Show with Savannah Guthrie; CBS This Morning; WH Press
Conference coverage
April 10, 2020 – Global – 1,440,000/85,000; USA – 465,000/17,500
Concern building about the economy and when we can open the country. 17
million jobs lost within the past 4 weeks. Larry Kudlow and Steve Mnuchin are
concerned that even with the massive infusion of relief dollars that we may o
irreparable damage to the economy if we do not open soon.
Call with Randell Stephenson – CEO of ATT wanting counsel on how to get his
workforce back towork safely
Call with Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas – doing a good job in AR; want
counselon retunring to normal
Call with Gov. Mark Gordon of Wyoming – same discussion. What advice and
counsel of returning to normal.
Call with Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota
All these Governors are calling me because of my credibility and reputation to run
their plans by me and ask for my opinion and help (message back to TF and
POTUS). Unfortunately, I really cannot do much but get their messages back.
Very frustrating
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
775POTUS actually joined the TF meeting right at the beginning andstarting talking
about ratings of the press conferences being the best ratings on all of TV. Yikes!
POTUS was again rambling at the press conference with stream of consciousness
not really answering questions and spouting how well we are doing. Press
focusing on whether we are prepared to re-open. Press keeps dwelling on fact
that we likely do not have enough testing capability.
POTUS mentioned (to my and Birx’s surpise) that he has already asked some
people to be on another Task Force to help him decide on re-opening. He even
mentioned that there would be prominent physicians on the call. Deb is worrie d
about this. I am not surprised.
During press briefing reporter asked PTUS a question about Gov. DeSantis (R-
FL) wanting to open his schools in May and would not that endanger lives of
people since there are many cases in Florida. He did not answer and then the
reporter asked what my opionion was. I spoke generically saying I am not aware
of the situation in Florida, but in general, if there are active cases in community,
children in school could spread the virus. Later that afternoon DeSantis called my
cell and explained that he wa evaluating the situationon a week by week basis and
did not make any definitive decisions and the districts that he was considering
opening the schools were districts with very few infection.
PRESS: CNN New Day with Alisyn Camerota and John Berman; Sirius
Doctor Radio – Marc Siegal; Press conference (see above); FOX Martha
McCallum; FOX Jesse Watters; Brian Williams - MSNBC
April 11, 2020 – Light day. TF, but no press conference. Important discussion
about the fact that the sensitivity of the Abbott ID Now (15 minute test) machine
is queationable. We have not had a single positive at the WH with press and
secret service and staff. We will bring a machine to NIH to use on people with
documented COVID-19.
I am still concerned about our ability to dothe tsting that we keep reassuring the
public that we can do. Deb very much suspicious and restrained hostile towards
Brett Giroir whom she does not trust.
Gave extra copies of the HHS Guidelines to Marc Short. They plan to have me
present it to POTUS on Monday, April 13.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
776April 12, 2020 (Easter Sunday) – Global – 1,800,000/110,000; USA
500,000/20,000. In general, early indications of leveling off.
Print news (NY Times especially) writing multiple articles about howTrump was
late to respond/slow to act even thugh he was given warnings by many people. I
look good to neutral in the reports. Big article in New YorkTimes today by Eric
Lipton, David Sanger, Maggie Haberman, Michael Sherar, Mark Mazzetti and
Julian Barnes.
I was spoofed last night on Saturday Night Live (SNL). Media buzz in my
answer to Tapper’s question whether lives would have been saved if we had shut
down earlier. I said yes with a lot of qualifiers; however, the press is not
reporting the qualifiers. Such is life…..
PRESS: CNN State of the Union with Jake Tapper; MSNBC TV with Rev.
Al Sharpton
April 13, 2020 – Potential big problem (we shall see). NY Times reporting on an
answer to a question that I gave on CNN yesterday (see above). Jake Tapper
asked me if we had closed down earlier, whould that have saved lives. I said it is
complicated; he persisted and I said obviously, if you close earlier there would
have been lives saved, but the decision was complicated. I could have answered
the question better and with more clarity, but the Times is now saying that I was
implying that the POTUS was to blame for additional deaths according to me.
The far right is tweeting to fire me. The POTUS even re-tweeted the tweet that
said to fire me. We shall see how the day goes…….
I called up Marc Short and explained that I was answering a hypothetical question
and I told the truth. Marc was very supportive and said the POTUS was not upset
and understood. I met with VP – he called me to his office 15 minutes befor the
TF meeting and we discussed this. He was terrific. I said I was angry at having
been put into this position, I am completely apolitical, and I am loyal to the people
that I work with. I offered to explain to the press at the daily White House press
conference. Right before I walked in, I huddled with the POTUS and told him
what I would do. He was very relieved and grateful saying that his right wing
base is causing a lot of trouble and he was total OK with me. I went out and
explained that I was being hoest in my answer to Jake, but that I was not implying
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
777that anyone was responsible for more deaths. I explained that the 2 times I
recommended to the POTUS to go to ‘mitigation” (15 day, then 30 day) he took
my (and Deb’s) advice and started to mitigation guidelines despite the fact that
some people were pushing back (did not mention any names)
Right after that, he went on an anti-media rage showing a filiming recently put
together that day by staff showing how he was on top of everything and responded
swiftly. Again, repetitive stream of consciousness. I was uncomfortable sitting
there.
Phone call with Jake Tapper. Jake wanted to make sure the interview did not
cause me any problems.
Global – 1,700,000/106,000; USA – 560,000/22,000;
PRESS: C-SPAN TV;
April 14, 2020 - Press buzz still continues. Feature story in today’s Washington
Post: “Despite assurances, debate over Fauci’s fate continues” by Toluse
Olorunnipa, Seung Min Kim and Josh Dawsey. Also, Mike Gerson wrote an
editorial in the Post attacking Trump for attacking me (re-tweet that energized
Trump’s right wing fringe to attack me.
Global - 1,800,000/112,000; USA – 580,000/24,000. Daily cases starting to
level off over past couple of days.
Did not do Presser today. Topic was economic. He rambled on in typical
manner. He reversed himself from yesterday when he said that he has “absolute
power” to tell the Governors what to do in the “re-opening”. He stunned the press
with that announcement and people like Caitlin Collins pushed him on saying that
since it is not true. He blew it off yesterday. Today he said that he leaves it to the
Governors
Press still buzzing about the tension between me and the POTUS – multiple
articles.
It is clear after a meeting that I was called to with the VP at 10:30 AM with Deb.
Jared, Brett, and some from Jared’s team thsat they have salready decidedthat they
will “re-open” the country on May 1 no matter what I or Deb say. Deb (as
expected) is totally bought in on this. I am quite skeptical that they have a
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
778program in place to respond to a rebounbd. CDC certainly in incapable and Bob
even admits that his team is mor “academically oriented” as opposed to pandemic
emergency oriented. Also, testing is still an issue.
PRESS: Good Luck America Snapchat Interview (Skype); Bobby Bones
Country Music DJ Skype interview; NBC CoronavirusSpecial tsaped for
tomorrow AM
April 15, 2020 – Global – 1,900,000/120/000; USA – 603,000/25,000
Print media still pitting everything I say as contradicting POTUS. They are also
digging into what I said it February indicting that I said the virus would not be a
problem; however, when you read my entire sentence, I said at this time (when
there were a couple of cases in the USA) there is not a serious threat, but this
could change very rapidly and so we need to be prepared. They leave out the last
part of the sentence.
Peter Nicholas of The Atlantic (Peter Nicholas)wrote a piece saying I was
humiliated and “shamed” by getting in front of the cameras and backing off the
CNN interview with Tapper. Fuck you, Peter.
Has discussion with Chris this AM (in bed) about my considering resigning from
the Task Force. The CDC/FEMA, etc in my mind have no idea what they are
doing. There really is no plan. Deb is secretive and worried about her job
wanting to please the VP asnd POTUS and the press briefings are a total Shit
Show with POTUS rambling. I am afraid that if I resign it will be a global
explosion and might also look to my many admirers like I am deserting the cause,
but this is getting very tough.
Phone call with Bill Gates and Trevor Mundel regarding working together on
vaccines and therapeutics. Bill, like I, is very skeptical about serologic tests –
could be misleading is saying that someone is protective if Ab is positive. He is
concerned as I am. He feels that there are ethical considerations.
Deb Birx last night put together the plan to re-open based on a combination of
the plans put forth by Tom Frieden, Scott Gottlieb, Zeke Emanuel. I edited it
today with her. VP asked me to leave the TF and work with her. I edited what
she had already done. It was really a done deal before she showed it to me. I
emphasized that what was missing was guidelines about what to do if there is
rebound. It was almost as if she had not even thought of that. She said she
would do this tonight. This is really seat-of-the-pants stuff with patching together
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
779overnight a plan that has enormous implcations for the health and safety of the
nation. I will hang in there to help as much as I can.
Marc Short is becoming a good rriend. He shuffled me out of the WH before
they started asking me to hang around for the endless press conference. I ha told
Marc that it would be great if I could go nly to those pressers where I was really
needed. He got the message and the VP agreed. And so, I am off today.
Clearly the press will ask where I am.
Amazing profile of me today on Nightline: https://bit.ly/2VvC0HP
Multiple editorials (print news Washington Post, etc.) and opinion pieces
(Newsweek) written about me. Cannot keep up or even read all of them.
Country needs someone to look up to in the face of Trump presidency. Interesting
psychodynamics.
Brewery in Georgia named a beer after me “Fauci Spring”
Cartoon in thee Boston Globe:
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
780Apr. 15, 2020 1:30 PM EDT
Italian Virus Hospital Offers Fauci Work If Trump Fires
Him
By NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press
PRESS: Good Day FOX TV NYC – Rosanna Scotto; Cox TV; WSJ story on
my relationship with Shelly Wolff; ABC TV – David Muir; CBS Evening
News – Norah O’Donnell
April 16, 2020: Global – 2,000,000/125,000; USA – 640,000/32,000.
Today is day when newe Guidelines for re-opening will be announced.
I was shocked last night when she e-mailed me and said that all my edits had been
accepted by the “Comms people”. However, they wanted to take out the part
about recommending masks. I wrote back (see bold below):
Okay. Great. If we explicitly say follow CDC guidelines regarding use of masks and
use during mass transit, then I cannot see how there can be any objection.
From: Birx, Deborah L. EOP/NSC <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2020 9:52 PM
To: Fauci, Anthony (NIH/NIAID) [E] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: WH Comms kept all of our words
Haven’t done rebound yet. Will do early am. Pushing back on mask saying follow cdc
guidance and wear during mass transit.
Sent from my iPhone
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
781On Apr 15, 2020, at 9:49 PM, Fauci, Anthony (NIH/NIAID) [E] <[email protected]>
wrote:
We should push back a bit on the masks. I think that it is important. Since when
do comms people dictate public health suggestions? Walk out of the streets and
people are wearing them anyway. We should be on board with them. I would be
happy to do that tomorrow. We are meeting with the VP tomorrow morning. Can
you arrange for you and I to meet with the relevant person so I can give it a
pitch? Also, let me see the part that I did not see regarding what one does when
rebound of virus occurs in the midst of a diminution of current mitigation.
Thanks,
Tony
From: Birx, Deborah L. EOP/NSC <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2020 9:43 PM
To: Fauci, Anthony (NIH/NIAID) [E] <[email protected]>
Subject: WH Comms kept all of our words
Except took out the mask in public – kept all the thresholds. What do you think? I am OK if
covered in CDC guidelines I guess. Deb
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
In private conversation with Marc Short, I explained to him my concern about being brought into
the writing of the guidelines that they wanted me to endorce, and yet I only saw them for the first
time last night. Marc said that Deb told him she had run them by me and Bob Redfield. Bob
said that the first time he saw them was last night. I gently confronted Deb with this and she
garbled an embarrassed response.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) called my cell concerned about whether his state is ready to re-open.
His consitutuents are frightened about coming out since they realize there is no treatment and
they could die from the disease.
Worked on the guidelines a bit and now got them right. POTUS, VP Deb and I presented these
at the Presser. Generally well-received, everyone still fixated on the issues with testing
After my Laursa Ingraham hit, Jake Tapper (CNN) texted me saying sarcastically: “Hard to beliee
Paura Ingraham went to Dartmouth, isn’t it. All of us alumni are very proud.
Also, if I did not mention it above, I now have OIG security portal to portal car with armed
guards. Still getting death threats and obscene calls to my daughters and Chris. US Marshalls
going after these idiots. DC Police continually patrolling my home.
PRESS: White House Press Conference releasing :Opening Up America
Again” guidelkines; FOX TV Laura Ingraham.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
782April 17, 2020 – Global – 2,000,000/132,000; USA -660,000/34,000;
Did briefing with the VP and Deb and Steve Hahn and BobRedfield and Brett
Giroir to the Dem Senate Caucus led by Chuck Schummer. Very hostile. Kept
coming at us abut testing and how inadequate it is. I have been telling the TF that
this is an issue that will not go away. Angus King (Maine) tee-ed off on VP about
the fact that we are unprepared. Patty Murray was her old self wanting a testing
plan, etc. etc. This rompted us to devope the entire TF to testing and decided to
do a presser. I took over and chided the group that we cannot be telling people
that we have more test and materials than we need since this would be insulting to
them. We cannot blame anyone and we must admit that the supply (which we
claim is adequate) is not “connected to” nor does it reach the people who are
demanding it. Bottom line is that they are not getting what they want and ewe
need to fix the fact that it really is a distribution problem. Also, Senators (and the
press and the public) are under the impression that we should test everyone for the
virus. Hope Hicks, Katie Miller, the VP came over to me qnd said and indicated
by their expression “Thank God that you are in the room!”
We explained this at the presser
Another indication of the craziness in the world. This came out today:
From: Billet, Courtney (NIH/NIAID) [E]
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2020 1:32 PM
To: Burklow, John (NIH/OD) [E] < [email protected]>; Myles, Renate
(NIH/OD) [E] <[email protected]>; Mcgraw, Michael (NIH/OD/ORS) [E]
<[email protected]>
Cc: Harper, Jill (NIH/NIAID) [E] <[email protected]>; Folkers, Greg
(NIH/NIAID) [E] <[email protected]>; Conrad, Patricia (NIH/NIAID) [E]
<[email protected]>; Routh, Jennifer (NIH/NIAID) [E]
<[email protected]>; Stover, Kathy (NIH/NIAID) [E] <[email protected]>
Subject: FW: Media request - Fauci sexual assault allegation / possible smear
Just when you thought life couldn’t get any crazier, we are now getting media inquiries
about this “press release” from a firm we can find no trace of online. The address they
provide for their “press conference” is the Chinese Embassy.
I have a call in to Dr. Fauci to let him know about this, but he is at the White House and
not answering his cell phone.
Lt. McGraw, can you help get to the bottom of who these people are? There is a phone
number at the very bottom. Should we also be sending this to OIG?
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
783Can you please advise on how to respond to inquiries? Do we respond, or refer them to
NIH? We would propose to say something like:
“The allegations are preposterous and the press release is apparently a hoax. We can find
no firm by this name, and the address provided for the “press conference” is the Chinese
Embassy. We are referring the matter to appropriate authorities for follow-up.”
From: William Sommer
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2020 12:48:52 PM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
To: NIAID NEWS (NIH/NIAID)
Subject: Media request - Fauci sexual assault allegation / possible smear
Hi,
My name's Will Sommer, I'm a reporter with The Daily Beast in DC. There's a press
conference scheduled for next week that's supposed to detail sexual assault allegations
against Dr. Fauci — it has all the hallmarks for me of a smear campaign from some GOP
operatives, but wanted to flag if the Fauci office has any comment or if this has been
referred to law enforcement for investigation. Attaching the press release below.
Thanks for your time
Will Sommer
Reporter, The Daily Beast
(703) 863-1148
[email protected]
@willsommer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
784CONTACT:
Rhonda Abramson
Vice President, Whitley, Moran, Telander LLP
http://linkedin.com/in/rhonda-abramson-349413199
(310) 893-3545
Dr. Anthony Fauci, World Renowned COVID-19 Figure,
Accused of Sexual Assault – Press Conference Planned with
Victim
____________
Conference line established for those unable to attend / wish to respect
social distancing guidelines
Famed immunologist accused of assaulting 20-year old at Four Seasons
Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore
WHAT: Anthony Fauci Assault Allegation Media Q&A
WHEN: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020 – 1 p.m. ET
WHERE: In Person: 3505 International Place, Washington
D.C., 20008
Conference Line: (712) 775-7100 Passcode:
654321#
BACKGROUND:
UPDATE: A conference line has been established for reporters who wish to adhere to
social distancing guidelines. Diana will still be at the physical location, along with
Richard Whitley and Rhonda Abramson. The press conference will also be simulcast
via the above phone line.
Interested media members should RSVP for the in-person or conference call by
Monday at 6 p.m. ET.
On December 6, 2014, former television intern Diana Rodriguez alleges that she met Dr.
Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, at
the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
785Rodriguez, who was 20 at the time, had several drinks with Dr. Fauci at the bar and
proceeded to accompany him to his suite overlooking the harbor.
The following is Ms. Rodriguez’s accounting of the night.
He looked rich and powerful, and I love smart men with grey hair. He told me all
about his fantastic career in medicine, so I went upstairs.
He made it clear that he expected sex once we got to the room and by then I was
so drunk the room was spinning. He threw me on the bed and pulled up my dress.
I was too drunk to resist, but I begged him not to. He only said, “don’t you know
who I am, you little bitch?”
He became angry when he failed to get an erection - he looked like he was in his
mid-70s - so he got up and popped two Cialis pills. He then told me to stay on the
bed while he returned a call. I was so scared I obeyed.
About 15 minutes later, he returned to the bed and shoved me down again. Now
he was erect, and I was defenseless. Suddenly, I had the presence of mind to grab
a pen from the nightstand, with which I jabbed him in the shoulder. I then ran out
of the room and out of the hotel, never to return.
It was the most harrowing and terrifying experience of my life.
Now, when I see him on TV touted as some kind of hero, I want the nation to know
the truth.
This is my truth. This is my story.
CONTACT:
Rhonda Abramson
Vice President, Whitley, Moran, Telander LLP
http://linkedin.com/in/rhonda-abramson-349413199
(310) 893-3545
Story in “The Daily Dot”:
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
786Someone is spreading a sketchy
sexual assault claim against Dr.
Fauci
The people behind it seem to not exist.
Apr 17, 2020, 5:56 pm*
Tech
Claire Goforth
The White House/Flickr
The coronavirus outbreak has made Dr. Anthony Fauci, longtime director
of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a household
name.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
7884:57 PM - Apr 13, 2020
Twitter Ads info and privacy
64 people are talking about this
Last month, as the threats escalated, Fauci was assigned a security detail.
The latest attack on him comes in the form of an accusation of sexual
assault.
Earlier this week, the Daily Dot received a press release from a woman
claiming that Fauci sexually assaulted her in 2014. The release included
the details of the allegation and said she and her representatives plan to
hold a press conference on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
All allegations of this nature are given equal consideration. But the more
the Daily Dot looked into the details, the more things didn’t add up. The
accuser didn’t respond to multiple requests to speak with her.
The woman, whose name is not reported here because it couldn’t be
confirmed, claims to be represented by Rhonda Abramson and Richard
Whitley of Whitley, Moran, Telander LLP. The Daily Dot could find no
record of any business by that name.
The email, which came from the accuser’s Gmail, included Abramson’s
LinkedIn account and phone number. There she claims to live in the
Washington, D.C. area and to have worked for two companies.
Unlike Whitley, Moran, Telander, those companies’ existence was readily
confirmed. However, both told the Daily Dot that they have no record of
Abramson’s employment.
“We have never employed her, have never heard of her, and have been
fielding calls and emails on this for a couple of days,” said Dave Seman,
managing principal of Paladin Political Group, which Abramson claims to
have worked at until last month. “We have requested LinkedIn flag her
profile for fraud.”
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
789A human resources representative at the second company, where
Abramson claims to have worked from 2007 to 2011, said that the position
she lists doesn’t exist.
Abramson herself seems to also not exist. Reverse image searches for her
LinkedIn profile picture turn up nothing.
An initial search for her picture on Have They Faked Me was negative, but
barely; a second search a day later was positive. This means either that
fake photos have likely been made using this image, or that the image
itself is fake.
Abramson did not respond to numerous messages via voicemail, text, and
LinkedIn. All calls went to voicemail.
Although she’s not responding to inquiries, Abramson did find time to post
the press conference details on LinkedIn yesterday.
Richard Whitley is similarly impossible to find. The Daily Dot found no one
by that name, or any of the variations of Richard, in Washington, D.C on
LinkedIn or Facebook.
Even the location of the press conference is strange. According to the
assault allegation, it took place at the Four Seasons in Baltimore in 2014,
which is on International Drive.
The address for the press conference is also given as an International
Drive, but in Washington, D.C. That address most closely matches that of
the Chinese Embassy.
However bizarre, it is possible this location was chosen because the
coronavirus originated in China.
Given the nature of the allegation and his history, the Daily Dot contacted
far-right pundit Jacob Wohl to ask if he knew anything about it. Wohl has
previously been involved with leveling often far-fetched sexual allegations
against various individuals Republicans consider their enemies: Sen.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
790Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Pete Buttigieg, and Robert Mueller. Each
allegation was later resoundingly discredited.
Plus, sham press conferences in the D.C. area are kind of his thing.
Wohl said he had nothing to do with the accusation against Fauci.
“This is the first I’ve heard of it,” he said.
He also said that his frequent co-conspirator and right-wing lobbyist Jack
Burkman isn’t involved and that no one had contacted him with allegations
against Fauci. Wohl said that he’s presently in California and has no plans
to be in D.C. this Tuesday.
It’s beginning to seem unlikely that anyone, least of all Abramson or
Whitley, will attend the press conference.
As of press time, Fauci had not responded to questions sent to the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases press office. This story
will be updated if a response is received following publication.
…………………………………………………………………………………….
This is really pissing me off. They threaten my life, harass Chris, send obscene texts to
my children and now this bullshit!
PRESS: The Breakfast Club NYC Radio (D.J. Evy, Angela Yee, and
Charlamagne tha God; Podcast with Will Smith; White House Press
Conference (Testing)
April 18, 2020 – Global 2,100,000/140,000; USA – 700,000/36,000
Far right agitating to get back to work. Much agitation! Daily articles involving
me continue to appear. Article in Today’s Washington Post. Talks about my one
hour call with the Congressional Black Caucus and how they trust me,but do not
trust Trump to help them. They are afraid that I will be fired.
I am getting worn down with all this PLUS my PMR, prednisone and now I have
lost 8 lbs over the past couple of months
Mary McNamara column in Los Angeles times:
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
791Column: Is Anthony Fauci the Sexiest Man
Alive? Who the hell cares?
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci speaking at the White House Friday.
(Carolyn Kaster / AP)
By MARY MCNAMARACULTURE COLUMNIST AND CRITIC
APRIL 18, 2020
6 AM
For the love of God, can someone please tear up the petition to make Dr.
Anthony Fauci People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive?
If not, can we please at least stop talking about it?
I get that it’s a compliment; for some, heaven help us, the ultimate
compliment. Fauci’s unflappable and highly competent demeanor has
been a beacon of strength and surprise amid the squishy, tweet-driven,
ass-covering, daily-contradictory triumph of personal feelings over
irrefutable facts that has been the Trump administration’s reaction to this
pandemic.
Let others voice outrage about churches closing down, or sputter about the
indignity of wearing masks; express concern about the Dow Jones or
explain why it is now perfectly safe for Floridians to go back to the beach
(which they only recently vacated) because, well, just because.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dr. Fauci will continue to stand in front of microphones talking only about
the things he knows. Not what he wants, wishes, thinks or feels. What he
knows.
No matter how blatantly Fox News anchors attempt to shift his on-air
narrative, no matter how often the president contradicts him in public and
to his face, Dr. Fauci quietly but firmly sticks to the facts.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
792So now expert is the new sexy, from the specs to the striped socks —
immunology the new rock ’n’ roll. We all feel it, that swoon of relief when
Fauci begins to speak, but here’s an idea: Let’s not succumb.
Let’s all take a deep, socially distanced breath and choose to resist
complimenting the person who very possibly stands between 328 million
Americans and complete disaster by granting him an accolade he would
share with Chris Hemsworth (no offense, man).
Resist the desire to “humanize” the head of the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases by asking him for dating advice or make him more
“accessible” by tarting him up with some pop culture makeover.
You think I’m overreacting? There’s already a bobblehead , a late-night fan
club, a prayer candle and socks; can a reality show be far behind?
Because that’s how it works when you start slinging around the term
“sexy.” Sexy sells and this economy is going to need some fast, hot sales in
the near future. Who wouldn’t tune in to see Fauci judge which contestant
comes up with the best COVID-19-preventing protocols?
But if life is really going to look different in the coming months, let’s begin
with this.
Let’s not make Anthony Fauci a rock star. Because he doesn’t need to be a
rock star. He needs to be what he is — a physician and expert
immunologist who emerged from the AIDS crisis with a unique
understanding of the relationship among science, humanity and public
policy. A man with the near-miraculous power to separate his ego from his
mission, to bring science to an avowedly anti-science presidential
administration, to express expertise in front of a president who doesn’t
believe in experts.
Let’s not destroy that highly delicate balance by dragging sexy into it.
Unlike his late-night fans, or his president, for that matter, Fauci does not
need to be concerned with television ratings. Wouldn’t it be nice if it
stayed that way?
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
793As scientific fact forces the culture to shift away from desire to reality, we
have a chance to honor the line between pop culture influence and genuine
expertise. We know what life looks like when we blur that line. It looks like
Drs. Oz, Phil and Drew, men who became media personalities because they
were often willing to tweak facts for the sake of ratings and are now being
slammed for their inability to stay silent about things they do not
understand. Like COVID-19, because, guess what? None of them are
immunologists or epidemiologists, and “Dr. Phil” doesn’t even have a
medical degree. “We need our mojo back,” Oz said recently on “Hannity,”
before suggesting that getting kids back in school was worth raising the
COVID-19 mortality rate. As if some bizarre form of national swagger was
worth making schoolchildren canaries in a coal mine. (He has since walked
back his remarks after overwhelming criticism.)
We have a chance to return expert culture to actual experts.
The emergence of personal testimony as a valuable social force — whether
through memoir, daytime talk show or the blogosphere — was a
democratizing triumph of popular culture. Millions of people, ignored by
or refused entrance to traditional means of disseminating information,
were suddenly being heard. And it changed the world.
It also made everyone an expert.
But the personal is a complement to, not a replacement for, the empirical;
feelings can stem from or help create facts, but facts exist apart from
feelings. So while many of us may have felt that COVID-19 was just a form
of the flu, Fauci and others knew, through their expert ability to analyze
data, that it was not.
With any luck, Fauci’s expertise will not just save us from the pandemic,
but it will also remind us that there are times when expertise is the most
important commodity. Not strong branding, social-media influence,
likability or audience connection. In our rush to become the next
YouTube/social media/”America’s Got Talent” star, some of us have
forgotten the importance of skill sets that have less to do with personality
and more to do with perseverance. Dr. Fauci is 79 years old; he has served
as the director of the NIAID since 1984. He knows what he’s talking about
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
794not because he’s cool (which he very well may be) but because he’s been
talking about it for a very long time.
Fauci has become a star by repeatedly telling the truth even when it’s a
truth no one wants to hear.
That’s not sexy. That’s astonishing. But I don’t think People magazine has a
category for that.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
E-mail from Holy Cross:
My Fellow Classics Major,
I'm sure you've already received numerous emails about Holy Cross's Giving
Day today -- BUT have you received one especially for you as a Classics
Major?
Around the nation, people have deemed Fridays to be #Faucifriday in
appreciation for our very own Dr. Anthony Fauci. If you weren't aware, Fauci
was, in fact, a Classics major at Holy Cross!!!
So, in support of Fauci Friday and the college's giving day, let's show the
Power of Purple by giving back to our beloved school. You can even designate
your gift towards the lovely Classics Department if you so desire.
To make your gift, please visit: https://www.givecampus.com/4vai5d
Thank you all for your support as alums. Stay safe and healthy!
AJ Wells
Class of 2018 Class Chair
………………………………………………………………………………
PRESS:Greta Van Sustern TV Show – “Full Court Press” to air tomorrow
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
795April 19, 2020 – Global – 2,200,000/150,000; USA – 725,000/38,000
Much agitation (spurred by the POTUS’s stupid “Liberate Michigan, VA, etc)
about people wanted to open up. Rallies with chants of “Fire Fauci”
Had conversation with Jake Tapper who is asking where the 27 million tests by
end of March came from (Brett Giroir). Fact is I have no idea how he got that
number. Deb Birx has no confidence in Giroir, nor do I. We are saying that we
have 1.5 to 2.0 Million tests per week available. I hope so. Still there is the
reality and perception that we do not have enough tests.
Sunday shows kept focusing on testing, testing, testing
Mark Meadows approved our putting out Guideliens for Clinical Management
(Cliff Lane’s groups) after he made some simple, good suggestions that did not
imoact integraty of the document. It will come out under the NIH instead of the
Task Force or HHS (Alex Azar afraid the POTUS would be upset at the HC
guideline (no evidence for or against its use) because of the POTUS hailing it.
April 20, 2020 – Global – 2,250,000/153,000; USA – 745,000/35,000
Goodday for me since for the 3rd day in a row, I do not need to be at press
conference and stand (or sit) there and listen to his stream of consciousness.
I had a major pushback (raising my voice) to Deb and Bob and Steve and Joe
Grogan in the Sit Room before the TF meeting (mostly Deb) that we are relying
on numbers from from Bret and Deb has absolutely no confidence in Brett.
Everyone in the country and the world is saying that we do not have enough
testing and Brett keeps saying that we do when the people in the trenches all so no.
We are looking like idiots and I told the group that. Deb is weak!! She says that
she has gone to to VP 3 times saying that Brett is a disaste and the VP “cannot do
anything about it”. Deb claims that this is because Brett is backed by Jared and
the VP does not want to go there. Holy Shit!!!!! Anmother example: There are
number for projected tested over the next few months that Brett is going to put
infront of the POTUS. Deb does not believe them and says they are overinflated.
I told her to take them out since she is the “Coronavirus Coordinator”. Agains
she balked until someone in the room (? Works with staff secretary) said that they
have a screening process that they rarely use with Trump since there are so many
ways into him (Hope, Jared, etc), but thye might use that process to block this
false information from getting to the POTUS.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
796Article online in Washington Post (tomorrow in print) giving the history of Brett
and how he was fired from his job in Texas as heard of a vaccine initiative since
he “over-promised and did not deliver”.
Georgia and South Carolina starting to open us even though they do not even
fulfill the criteria for gating, much less going into Phase 1. I predict that this will
result in major rebound and said that on GMA (see below).
PRESS: ABC Good Morning America with George Stephanopoulos; YES
Radio Yankees Network with Jack Curry; NFL PSA
April 21, 2020 – Global – 2,300,000/158,000; USA – 780,000/41,000;
VP is travelling and so no TF meeting today. Big stir on TV shows last night
about some states wanting to open and violating the guidelines for “Opening
America Again”. POTUS making things worse by hiscrazy pronouncing
“Liberate Michigan, Liberate Virgina”. Really crazy – he himself and us (me,
Deb) are stressing to abide by the guideliens and he is rabble-rousing by his
statements. Typical Trump. Stir a lot of “Fire Fauci
out there among the far right.
Call from Sem Lindsey Graham saying that he spoke with POTUS today and
Graham is afraid that POTUS will not push back against what Georgia Governor
is doing by “opening up” the state and he wants me to do so. I do not need him to
tell me to do that. I told him that I would.
Call from Ari Emanuel (he calls often) asking when I thuink this will end. He has
already lost several hundreds of millions of dollars on cancelled bookings for
theater, concerts and other events that he runs.
Received call from Dionne Warwick who received an e-mail from a friend asking
whether vaccuines developed for dog corna virus could help with vaccine
development for SARS-CoV-19. Not a stupid question.
Spoke by phone with Governor of Puerto Rico Wanda Vasquez Garced together
wiyh her Secretary of State. They wanted to know if I approved of what they
were doing to mitigate in PR and they had some good questions.
Woman who claimed that I raped her (see above) never materialized.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
797April 22, 2020 – Interesting day - Rick Bright has gone rogue. Due to his
poor performance as head of BARDA, Alex (+/-) Kadlec removed him from his
post. We (Francis and I) thought that he would stay at BARDA and spend 50% of
time at NIH in order to coordinate BARDA with NIH vaccine activities, We all
had always felt that he was making bad decisions in his giving hundreds of
millions of dollars to Phartma companies without any requirements to coordinate
with NIH and his choices were poor to begin with. HOWEVER, in what turned
out to be the most incompetent and botched HR move, they fired him by just
taking his name and picture off the HHS/BARDA website without even telling
him. They then assigned him to be an NIH employee under Francis taking with
him from BARDA $1 Billion to work on diagnostics with Bruce Trumberg of
NBIB. Rick reacted by going public, hiring a lawyer, claiming whistleblower
status and saying he was fired because he was pushing back against HHS and
political pressure to fund bad science and certain companies and that he objected
to pushing HC. In fact, there are e-mails and memos showing that he himself was
pushing HC and giving millions to get it out there. He is an abject LIAR!
I have been calling Chris Cuomo on his cell (he is sick at home with COVID-19)
every night (usually after 10:00 PM when his show ends) for the past 2 weeks.
His fever lingers and his wife Christina and son Mario are both infected, less
severe than he. They both have loss of taste and smell and sinusitis.
Georgia Governor Kemp is actually ignoring the guidelines for “Opening Ameica
Again” by skipping to phase 2 and opening beaches, massage parlors, tatoo shops.
Crazy!. A couple of days ago Deb waffled about condemning it, but today she
convinced the POTUS to back off in supporting Gov. Kemp (R-GA). During the
presser, I came out unambiguously saying that Kemp was wrong and if I were his
advisor, I would tell him not to do that since it risks a rebound.
It seems that the WH is putting me out to the press much less than usual over the
past week to week and ½. We shall see. The relationship between me and Katie
and Hogan and Devin seems really good and so I do not know what is going on.
Could be just a coincidence.
My PMR is under control – starting to slowly taper the 15 mg prednisone. Have
been on pred. for 36 days
PRESS: White House Presser
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
798April 23, 2020 – Global – 2,500,000/170,000; USA – 827,000/47,000;
Interesting day. Was asked to come to Pentagon (with Deb Birx) by Chairman of
Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley. He had Deb and I brief him and his immediate
staff on how the Armed Forces could best prepare for the future wave (in the Fall
and beyond) of COVID-19. All about “force protection”. We did this in the
famous “Tank”. Howver, before we did that he wanted to take a bunch of photos
with him, his wife, and Vice Chair Gen. John Hyten and Gen.Paul Friedrichs.
Also, he had me sign his surgical masks and a basketball that was originally
signed by Coach K of Duke. I had a wondeful time!!
TF was uneventful. I was not at presser…..
HOWEVER, the presser was a disaster for the POTUS. All he did was fight with
the press Someone from DHS presented data showing that sunlight, heat and
humidity “kills’ the virus. Actually, they presented this at the TF meeting and the
POTUS did not even know about it. When the DHS guy presented it, the press
tore it apart as a gimmick from the POTUS. Also, the POTUS incredibily made
the comment that one should consider injecting or swallowing these disinfectants
(including chlorax-like substances) as a “cure”. Deb almost fainted on stage,
Thank God I was not there, After the presser, CNN with Erin Burnett presented a
segment of the clash between the scientists (almost exclusively me) and the
POTUS. They showed a point-by-point contrast of me versus the POTUS. Let us
see what the reaction is tomorrow at the TF meeting.
After the presser (about 1 hour) Deb Birx texted and then called me saying it was
good that I was not there since after the presser, the POTUS called her into the
Oval and started yelling at her saying “You and Fauci have destroyed the country
and the economy. I should never have listened to you. You have completely
destroyed us.” He kept saying this over and over again and was yelling at her. I
encouraged her that we are OK and at the end of the day she and I will be loved by
the people we care about. She was relieved and after wrote me a text sincerely
thanking me.
PRESS: None
April 24, 2020 – Global – 2,600,000/177,000; USA – 860,000/49,000.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
799Press having a field day trashing the POTUS for his statement about “drinking
bleach”. Consuming the press.
Will brief Governors today with the POTUS. Governor talk went well. Cuomo
stated what I had been saying all along that we need a “partnership” between USG
and States. Note the POTUS goes back and forth and has often said that the
States are on their own and when I say “partnership” there was some concern that
I was contradicting POTUS.
Fir first time the POTUS had a presser and walked out without answering any
questions.
Axios wrote that he may greatly diminish pressers. He used to love them due to
the “ratings” of viewers. However, his people are now telling him that it is
greatly hurting his approval ratings.
April 25, 2020 – (Saturday) – Very brief TF at the WH today. No press
conference.
Much discussion about the plasn of the states to open.
A lot of buzz in the media about Azar very likely getting fired. Reuters wrote a
smear piece on him and attacked Brian Harrison (his COS) for be a dog breeder
since he raised labradoodles at some ime in his life. Very unfair.
Also, it is clear that theyare gradually keeping me off the press conferences with
the POTUS and not allowing me on TV/radio nearly as much. NBC reported that
of the last 7 press confercens, I was at 1 and I usually get 2-3 media hiots per day
and I have only done 2 last week – FOX with Laura Ingraham and GMA with
Stephanopoulos. Katie Miller no longe doing press assignments. Now it is
Kayleigh McEnany and Alyssa FarahAlexa.
See below from April 24:
Fauci's absence from recent coronavirus
briefings draws notice
The national health expert was in attendance for just one of this week's seven briefings.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
800President Donald Trump reacts as Dr. Anthony Fauci steps away from the podium after
speaking and answering questions at the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the
White House on April 22, 2020.Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
April 25, 2020, 3:22 PM EDT / Updated April 25, 2020, 4:14 PM EDT
By Monica Alba, Kristen Welker and Carol E. Lee
WASHINGTON — Until this week, Dr. Anthony Fauci was a near-constant presence at
the daily coronavirus task force briefings at the White House. As the head of the National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for 35 years, his expertise on the global
pandemic has been a reassuring force for millions of Americans concerned about how
COVID-19 has uprooted their lives.
Of the roughly 50 press conferences on the health crisis so far, Fauci had only missed a
handful. But now, for the first time since regular press conferences began on the topic,
Fauci was only present for one of seven briefings this week.
While Fauci gave media interviews throughout the week, his absence at the podium
Friday was notable given the president’s controversial remarks a day earlier about using
light and disinfectants to possibly treat the deadly respiratory illness.
And though Fauci regularly shares his decades-long infectious disease knowledge
publicly, one administration official suggested there’s a preference that Fauci do more of
that behind closed doors so it doesn’t appear he’s on such a different page from the
president.
“You are here in a certain role, you’ve got to give advice privately,” this official said.
Members of the president’s task force have taken notice of Fauci’s diminished public
profile, as well. There is mounting frustration among some of them with Fauci, who has,
at times, publicly contradicted President Trump. Adding to the tensions, some officials
complain they feel caught off guard by some of Fauci’s media interviews.
When asked why he was only at the briefing once this week, an administration official
tells NBC News that Fauci "does have other responsibilities at NIH. Just because he is
not at the briefing does not mean he’s not actively involved in task force meetings and
briefings."
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
801White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere was more direct, telling NBC News that
"despite the media’s ridiculous efforts to somehow create distance between the president
and his top health experts, it is simply fake news."
"President Trump has relied on and consulted with Dr. Adams, Dr. Birx, Dr. Fauci, Dr.
Hahn, Dr. Redfield, and many others," Deere added, "as he has confronted this
unforeseen, unprecedented crisis and put the full power of the federal government to
work to slow the spread, save lives, and place this great country on a data-driven path to
opening up again."
The most recent example of discord came on Thursday when an interview with “TIME”
revealed the doctor had a dismal view of the country’s testing capability.
“We absolutely need to significantly ramp up, not only the number of tests but the
capacity to actually perform them,” Fauci said. “I am not overly confident right now at all
that we have what it takes to do that.”
When asked later in the day if he agreed with Fauci, the president said: “I don't agree
with him on that, no, I think we're doing a great job on testing.”
On Wednesday, the only day Fauci joined for the briefing this week, he refuted the
president’s assertion that coronavirus “may not come back at all” this year and, if it does,
it would just be “embers” or “pockets.” Minutes later, Fauci took to the lectern to state
definitively: “We will have coronavirus in the fall. I am convinced of that.”
While Fauci has appeared on most Sunday shows through March and April, he did not
appear last weekend and is not currently slated to be on any of the political programs in
the coming days.
Given Fauci’s absence from the briefings this week, several of the president’s aides and
allies have started to wonder what it means about their relationship. Officials close to the
task force, however, insist Fauci’s role is seen as critical to the pandemic response and
maintain his job is safe.
And, the decision to skip the briefings may be Fauci’s own, given that he called the
sometimes two-hour, marathon events “really draining” recently. Aides also said Fauci is
a regular attendee at the closed-door meetings that often take place right before the
televised pressers.
Experts agree Fauci’s storied career in the industry means he seeks little praise and
doesn’t need the president’s approval to perform his duties.
“If you’re somebody who aspires to have impact in public health as a physician or
provider, you should look no further than Dr. Fauci or Dr. Birx, which spans
administrations,” said Dr. Vin Gupta, a pulmonologist and global health policy expert
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
802who is an NBC News medical contributor. “I think at the end of the day, the president
needs Fauci more than Fauci needs any of this.”
His job is considered the “ultimate balancing act,” according to Dr. Kavita Patel, also an
NBC News contributor. Watching the president continue to ad-lib medical advice from
the White House briefing room “has to be frustrating” for Fauci, whose day job entails
research on a potential vaccine, but he is likely aware that the pandemic response will
take months and months so he takes a longer view. “He is a runner, and I am sure part of
this is viewing COVID-19 task force as a marathon not a sprint,” she said.
Besides the president and Vice President Pence, the only coronavirus task force member
who has appeared at more briefings is coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx. Neither doctor
attended Friday’s briefing, which was the shortest to date. And, in a first at these kinds of
newsers, Trump and Pence took no questions.
White House officials provided no explanation for the abbreviated appearance and lack of
medical professionals like Birx and Fauci.
Earlier this month, the president elevated a tweet that contained the hashtag “FireFauci.”
Advisers close to both men denied that was ever under consideration and the two later
said publicly they had a good relationship and will continue to work together.
Even so, the president does not have the direct authority to dismiss Fauci. The president
could, in theory, direct Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to see to it that
Fauci is fired. Azar would then have to direct the NIH head to oust Fauci. As a federal
employee, Fauci can only be fired “for cause.”
If he were to be removed, however unlikely, it would cause “irreparable harm,” Gupta
said.
Occasionally in recent weeks, when Fauci hasn’t been seen among the group of aides
emerging from the bright blue doors of the West Wing to start the briefings, observers on
social media have wondered aloud: “Where’s Fauci?”
The answer for most of this week, at least: no longer at the president’s side in the daily
briefings.
Monica Alba
Monica Alba is a political reporter for NBC News.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
803Kristen Welker
Kristen Welker is a White House correspondent for NBC News.
Carol E. Lee
Brad Pitt plays me on Saturday Night Live and thanks me in serious tone
after his skit. https://people.com/tv/brad-pitt-portrays-dr-anthony-fauci-on-snl-at-
home/
Song about me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp5rc8FCR8I&feature=youtu.be&f
bclid=IwAR1FbjNMK-
UOiSiDjZLHahjlsZs562qv1ueN6avimgocc0nhlOwoTkIafXQ
April 26, 2020 – (Sunday) – Global – 2,750,000/190,000; USA – 930,000/53,000
I was not on Sunday shows. Deb was on CNN with Jake Tapper and did not answer the
question of whether it was a mistake for the POTUS to talk about injecting or swallowing
bleach. Jake wrote me a text afterwards and said: “Birx has lost her way I fear. She has
chosen to focus on defending the president and attacking the press. Odd.”
Had very important teleconference that I called for , but was chaired by Francis
Collins and Bob Kadlec. The entire call was to align BARDA with the mission of
NIH. Up to now, BARDA did what they wanted as a “parallel” component to
NIH in HHS without any real consultation or coordination. They are OK for
taking a hand-off from us on a product that we do early concept and development
and then give to them to fund a company to make a product and oput inot SNS.
However, when it comes to the emergency of making a vaccine and they (without
even consulting with us) give hundreds of millions of dollars each to several
PHARMA companies to go their own way with no stipulations or requirements for
coordination with us, then that is unacceptable. We discussed the need to re-boot
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
804with regard to BARDA and NIH and have them fund companies with the
condition that they coordinate (protocol design, lab data, DSMBs, etc.) with NIH.
Peter Marks (FDA) will help lead this new approach. Francis and Bob Kadlec are
totally on board. Now the devil is in the details.
April 27, 2020 – Global – 2,800,000/195,000; USA – 955,000/54,000
Stay heads up to a marked decrease in WH Comms allowing me to go on national
media compared to 2 weeks ago. Let us see what happens.
Big topics this week is the opening plans of various states and how they align with
the “Opening America Again” Guidelines
Briefed the Governors on the “Blueprint for Testing to Open Ameica Again”.
They all sounded like everything was fine with testing and praised the POTUS (at
least the GOPs did), and Brett gave his usual overly optimistic report on how
many tests we will have out there. However, when the press asked the Governors
about their ability to test, many (mostly DEMS) still complained.
Bobbleheads of me being made in massive quantities in China: Video: Bobblehead
dolls of US disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci being made by Chinese factory
https://bit.ly/3eRnRh0
Great news from Emily Erbelding: The randomized placebo controlled trial of
Remdesivir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 disease has fully enrolled
1063 patients throughout the world (ACTT-1 Study). The DSMB met and
indicated that remdesivir had a 31% higher rate of recovery compared to the
placebo group (p < 0.001). The death rate approached significance (P=0.059).
Data sets not complete and will likely require a few mored days to tidy up.
However, the site invrestigators will be notified tomorrow night at 7:00 PM for
ethical reasons – to make sure that those who might be on the placebo limb would
have the opportunity to get Remdesivir and all other placebo-controlled trials need
to consider Remdesivir as now SOC. This information will almost certainly leak
and so I have decided to ask Mark Meadows if I could announce these preliminary
data at a presser at the WH tomorrow (Wednesday).
PRESS: Telemundo Un Nuevo Dia (TV);
April 28, 2020 – Global – 3,000,000/200,000; USA – 1,000,000/56,000
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
805Meeting with Joe Grogan group in Roosevelt Room. Joe is pissed that the
individual guidances for special situations, i.e. restaurants, Child care centers, etc,
do not align with the various phases of re-opening. Also, CDC again were late
and off on their own regarding guidelines for surveillance. CDC is tone deaf to
how everyone feels that they are not up to the task.
Briefed Kayleigh McEnany and Mark Meadows about the Remdesivir trial. Mark
and Kaylee agree that I should announce this at a presser tomorrow. I warn Mark
that we cannot allow the POTUS to ad lib and over-promise since I will be very
conservative.
Called up Mersad Parsey at Gilead out of courtesy to infrom him that I will be
announcing this at the Presser. Amazingly, (or not) he asked me to hold off until
Thursday informing the PIs at the sites tonight so that they can formulate a
statement and policy to not allow an unfavorable or too favorable response of the
Stock Market. I immediately told him that no way do I want to discuss the stock
market with him and this was inappropriate. He backed off.
PRESS: Bloomberg News (John Lauerman, print); Economics Club Podcast
with David Rubenstein; Ryan Zimmerman Podcast; New York Times Sports
Editor print interview; CNN “The Lead” with Jake Tapper.
April 29, 2020 – Global – 3,000,000/203,000 USA – 1,100,000/58,000;
Eventful day. Was supposed to present the Remdesivir findings at the usual 5:00
PM press conference at the WH. Marc Short called me when I was at NIH office
and said to rush down to Wh since the POTUS was going to have a press
availability with John Bell Edwards (Democratic Governor of Lousiana). George
Adams drove me down to Wh with lights flashing and we got there in 17.5
minutes (Yikes). I present the data to multiple cameras in the Oval Office with
POTUS sitting there. POTUS took me aside and said”Be enthusiastic, Tony. Be
Optimistic, we need to open up the economy. It is very important”. I told him
that I would tell it like it is. He nodded OK. I gave ameasure, accurate
presentation. Great success.
In afternoon, HHS (with Paul Mango, Alex Azar, Bob Kadlec, Peter Marks, Bob
Johnson, Francis Collins, Bruce Tromberg) presented our new vaccine strategic
plan to the TF led by Deb Birx. Deb immediately tore everything apart
(somewhat overly done). Poor Peter Marks took the brunt of it. She said we
should have brought in all the companies that have a track record with their
platforms and guided them and funded them to go after COVID-19 instead of
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
806waiting for companies to come in themselves and ask for money. She does not
like “newer technology” such as mRNA, DNA, and even some virasl vectors.
She likes antigens, whole killed, etc. A bit overdetermined in her prejudice.
However, she did have a point that btu did not fully realize that this is the problem
that I have had with BARDA for years. They just give out money without
coordinating anything. Very tense meeting!!
The rest of the world still pushing that we are not doing enough testing.
Clerarly a trend towards the Comms folks (Kayleaigh and Alyssa) focusing on
economic re-entry and trying to hold back to POTUS from his disastrous press
confererences and so the pressers are being cut back. None today; only the above
Oval with Gov. Edwrads
Becoming rather friendly with Jared. Clearly, he respects me
PRESS: Made presentation at presser in Oval Office on the ACTT-1 trial.
Got picked up by multiple networks/cable.
April 30, 2020 – Global – 3,020,000/210,000; USA – 1,030,000/61,000;
New York Times had my picture and front page of Sports Section today with the
headline saying that I believe that professional sports may need to be cancelled
this season. That was not what I said. Like I said clearly in the Ryan Zimmerman
interview, it would depend on the status of the virus in any given City. We could
do sports only on TV or we could have the stadiums half full or completely full or
not at all. They headlined the latter.
The media frenzy continues on and on with me:
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
807Announcement today that Joe Grogan will resign as Director of the Domestic
Policy Council on May 24 (3 weeks). Another example of the changes that Mark
Meadows is making along with shaking up the Comms group.
Amazing story about me in Forbes:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williammeehan/2020/04/30/anthony-s-fauci-md-part-iii-
the-7-principles-of-faucian-leadership/#7b76aef7313d
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
808Had another tense meeting in Roosevelt Room led by Joe Grogan and Deb. Deb.
again attacked (somewhat justifiably) the lack of leaderhip at HHS central. Steve
Hahn piled on too even obliquely criticizing Azar. Problem is that we are
suffering now from the weakness and complete inadequacy of BARDA. We
(NIAID – particularly John Macola/Cliff and Carl can do the massive master-
protocol trial of multiple candiates. The central leadership is lacking. Alex has
failed to hold Bob Kadlec responsible and Bob has completely delegated BARDA
to a group of weak people who are fixed in ways that you can get awaywith in
normal times, but defimitely not when you are in a global health crisis wher the
country and the world depends on us to develop a vaccine and therapies. Right
now, vaccine is critical. I will meet tomorrow with Francis, Cliff and John to plan
how to handle this.
Did a Zoom call with a whole host of movie stars and athletes organizef by Kim
Kardashian:
Here is the list
1.Michael Kives
2.Lydia Kives
3.Nico Mizrahi
4.Ben Schwerin
5.Eric Stonestreet
6.Jamie Schneider Mizrahi
7.Kate Hudson
8.Mikey Hess
9.Katy Perry
10.Orlando Bloom
11.Chris Rock
12.Scooter Braun
13. Yael Cohen
14.Chris Paul
16.Josh Gad
18.Misha Nonoo
19.Dwayne Wade
20.James Corden
21.Gwyneth Paltrow
22.Ashton Kutcher
23.Mila Kunis
24.Kevin Durant
25.Kendall Jenner
26.Kim Kardashian
27.Ariana Grande
28.Paula Abdul
29.2 Chainz
30.Michael Buble
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
80931.Usher
32.Demi Lovato
33.Brad Falchuk
34.Michael Jordan
PRESS: NBC Today Show with Savannah Guthrie; Zoom call with
Hollywood stars; CNN Coronavirus Town Hall with Sanjay Gupta and
Anderson Cooper
May 1, 2020 – Global – 3,090,000/218,000; USA – 1,100,000/63,000
Mike Caputo is delighted with the event last night. It is interesting that he is one
of my greatest fan and he is sincere. So different from some of the shit I took
during the esarly years of the Obama administration with that asshole Jenny
Bacchus who always hesitated to put me on TV until Denis McDonough and Lisa
Monaco of the White House intervened.
And the media blitz goes on:
Dr. Anthony Fauci And Andrew Cuomo Remain The Most Trusted Leaders
On Coronavirus, While Donald Trump And Jared Kushner Are The Least
Trusted.
Grace Panetta writes for Business Insider (4/30, 3.67M) that NIAID Director Dr. Anthony
Fauci “and Gov. Andrew Cuomo remain the most trusted leaders Americans look to for
official advice on the coronavirus crisis, while President Donald Trump and White House
advisor Jared Kushner still rank at the bottom.” Consumers’ “levels of trust in the top officials’
handling of the crisis [have] remained remarkably steady across...three surveys.”
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Had Zoom talk with Mike Lerner (owner of Nats)and Ted Leonis (Owner of Caps, Mystis,
Wizards). Long conversation with them about opening up the sports seasons, particularly,
imminently the Nats. I gave them the usual discussions. They want me to throw out the 1st
ball at Nats stadium and drop the puck at the Hockey game, etc.
May 2, 2020 – Global – 3,200,000/225,000; USA – 1,100,000/65,000’
Big push on the part of states >32 to rush to reopening, some like Texas and
Georgia more than others. Militia-types in Michigan going to the Capitol armed
and demanding of the Governor to “open up” Michigan. Much stress about the
economy being destroyed.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
810White House not allowing me to respond to request from Rosa DeLauro to testify
before the House Committee. Makes front page news everywhere together with
tweet storm. WH will allow me to testify before the Senate Help Committee.
Situation very tense:
Economic Policy
White House blocks Fauci from testifying
before House panel, committee
spokesman says
An Appropriations subcommittee sought to call the
health official to testify next week
Anthony S. Fauci in early April. (Jabin Botsford/The
Washington Post)
By
Erica Werner and
Mike DeBonis
May 1, 2020 at 5:34 p.m. EDT
Biden accused of groping a woman (Tara Reade) in his Senate office decaades
ago.
Yesterday Peter Staley called me up and said that some (? how many) members of
the scientific and old activist community are disappointed in me for appearing in
the Oval Office with the announcement of the Remdesivir results, making it a
political thing used by Trump. I can see theor point, but I had not choice (see
above). I rectified that yesterday (later in the day)( when at the TF meeting, Jared
Kushner arranged to have a photo op in the Oval Office celebrating the domnation
of >1 million doses of Remdesivir to the USG to distribute to people who needed
it. They wanted me, Bob Redfield, Deb, and Azar to pose for photos with the
POTUS and the CEO of Gilead. I asked Narc Sort to step out of the Sit Room
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
811and I explained that I could not do this since my colleagues would say (and so
would I) that I am seting ovrer the line. I explained to Marc the aversion
scientists (of any political persuasion) have for politicizing science. He
understood completely and we wen back inot the room and I told the VP the same
thing and he wa very supportive. Deb and Bob were clearly not happy with what
I did, likely because they also felt uncomformtable, but had no choice since they
are political appointees. Such is life. I made the correct decision.
More of the constant surrealness. Here for Mother’s Day
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
812
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
813May 3, 2020 (Sunday) – Global – 3,300,000/230,000; USA – 1,130,000/66,000
Continued big push tio re-open despite many states lacking the criteria to do so.
Not on any Sunday shows. Washington Post article today states that the
administration is cutting down media appearances by Deb and me and giving more
to the economists, Kudlow, Mnuychin and Hassett. Theyare cutting me more
than Deb.
Fauci-maddness continues with multiple articles and every sort of paraphernalia
and restaurant and foods named after me.
Amazing aryicle in USA Today:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05/03/coronavirus-white-house-
expert-dr-anthony-fauci-americans-trust/3042991001/
Straight-talking Dr. Anthony
Fauci is the voice
Americans want to hear
right now. So, who is he?
Marco della Cava
USA TODAY
AD
5:37
Dr. Anthony Stephen Fauci didn’t grow up wanting to be famous. Mostly he
just wanted to make a difference. But now a lifetime of service has flicked on a
searing spotlight.
Perhaps not since the late actor Jack Palance did one-armed push-ups at the
1991 Oscars at age 73 – YouTube it, millennials – has the nation been this
seduced by a senior citizen.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
814By virtue of his calm, Brooklyn-inflected White House briefings
on coronavirus that frequently if diplomatically contradict statements by
President Donald Trump, Fauci, 79, has become a meme, spawned fan clubs
and been lovingly parodied by Brad Pitt.
Fauci’s longtime official title is director of the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases, a part of the National Institutes of Health. But since
becoming the face of this country's COVID-19 pandemic, the career
immunologist who has battled everything from AIDS to Ebola
is increasingly referred to as America’s Doctor.
And he's in the headlines again this week, having been barred by the White
House from addressing House lawmakers Wednesday on the topic of the
administration's response to the crisis. Instead, Fauci will meet with a GOP-led
subcommittee on May 12.
So just who is Tony Fauci?
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
815Interviews with friends and colleagues offer overlapping descriptions of a man
as dedicated to hard work – endless hours peppered with power walks – as he is
to his wife, scientist Christine Grady, and three accomplished daughters.
They describe a man who takes as much pride in his Bolognese pasta sauce (the
key, one friend says, is the long-simmering time) as he does in enduring
relationships. He's a burger and beer at the bar guy, but also a public servant
built for our trying times.
“Tony’s capable of elevating his game to whatever is needed, and more has
been demanded of him now than in any time in his career,” says Michael
Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious
Disease Research and Policy. “In the eyes of the American public, he’s the
voice we need right now, one of credibility.”
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
816Steven Gabbe met Fauci when both were at Cornell Medical College in New
York City in the late 1960s, and “the person you see now on TV is the same
guy I met back then, smart and humble.”
Gabbe, emeritus CEO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in
Columbus, lauds his friend’s sense of humor. "I’m sure he finds it entertaining
that there are bobblehead dolls of him now," he says. "But he’s so grounded I
don’t think it would go to his head.”
Fauci would be excused it if did. In a recent survey of 1,900 registered U.S.
voters, Morning Consult asked respondents whom they would trust "a lot" or
"some" to end social distancing. Fauci and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention topped the list among all voters with 71% trust ratings.
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Three months in:A timeline of how COVID-19 has unfolded in the US
Such a high-profile status inevitably also has generated criticism.
Right-wing pundits have assailed how shelter-in-place guidelines he supported
have impacted the economy, leading conservative internet TV host Bill
Mitchell to tweet “this Dr. Doom Fauci is the most depressing idiot I’ve ever
listened to.”
That harsh assessment has some grounding in a real issue, says Jonathan Engel,
professor at the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch
College, part of the City University of New York system.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
817“Cost-benefit analysis is not the way Fauci thinks, he’s a physician and
immunologist,” says Engel. “So that’s where the frustration in some red states
comes from. You’re saving lives, but you’re also destroying lives. Someone
else needs to be there to step back and think about the whole picture, but that’s
not Fauci’s role.”
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Critics ask: Did Fauci 'miss it'?
Even some fellow scientists who praise Fauci’s professional accomplishments
suggest not only that he was late sounding the alarm, but that having one
celebrated virus point person is dangerous.
“In January, February and part of March there was one physician on show after
show, him, and while he’s great at explaining things, in terms of telling the
country to get prepared, he missed it,” says Marty Makary, professor at the
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “My concern is not with
Anthony Fauci as much as it is in a media and policy world that puts its faith in
one person.”
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
818If anything, Fauci’s rise highlights the fact that no one person regardless of
their stature – his laurels include almost every scientific accolade short of a
Nobel Prize – should hold all the reins when it comes to national and global
pandemics.
“Tony’s taken on this big role in part because of the vacuum that exists,” says
David Relman, a Fauci friend and professor of medicine at Stanford University.
“But what if the next pandemic destroys our food? Or a bioterror attack?” he
says. “We need a new leadership system that sits inside the White House,
where people have the authority to tell the Attorney General what to do, or the
Federal Reserve or the Secretary of Defense, so you can move fast. Tony can’t
do that. No one can. The system needs to change.”
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
819Fauci’s current national stature indeed appears unique in U.S. history, says
historian Douglas Brinkley of Rice University in Houston, citing past examples
that fall short.
In the late 1700s, a yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia caused President
George Washington to flee the city, leaving in charge the preeminent doctor
and fellow Founding Father, Benjamin Rush.
When President Woodrow Wilson got sick while visiting Paris during World
War I, many scholars believe his physician and his wife were running the
country for a spell.
“So you have moments when doctors have become the voice of the country, but
nothing like this,” says Brinkley. “The straight talking Fauci is what you want
to hear, much like if you go to a doctor you don’t want spin or blarney.”
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
820Brinkley says after the coronavirus pandemic starts to recede, Fauci is likely to
go down in history “as one of few scientists who are now household names.”
Some suggest Fauci enjoys this new spotlight too much. Although an NIAID
press officer said Fauci was too busy for an interview, the doctor's media
appearances are frequent and varied, from network news and comedy shows to
online interviews with sports icons such as basketball star Steph Curry.
Fauci Pouchys and 'Docta Fauci'
And yet the public can’t seem to get enough. The Anthony Fauci Fan Club on
Twitter has 24,000 followers and a pinned tweet that reads: “If you don’t have
a crush on this man, do you even care about public health?”
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
821New York-based singer Missy Modell rewrote the lyrics to Lady Gaga’s
2008 hit “Paparazzi” to rhyme with “Docta Fauci.” Her Instagram hit includes
the line, “Tony, there’s no other superstar except for Andy,” New York
governor Andrew Cuomo.
Fauci’s likeness is splashed on coffee mugs, T-shirts and even donuts. In
Washington, D.C., the town Fauci calls home, Capo’s Speakeasy teamed up
with a real estate company to sell Fauci Pouchy to-go drinks, cocktails in see-
through sealed bags emblazoned with the doctor's image.
At Chef Geoff’s in northwest D.C., Fauci and his wife, a nurse bioethicist at the
NIH, are regulars who in pre-virus times would pull up bar stools and order
Chef Geoff Burgers and beers, says owner Geoff Tracy. He posted a sign
warning take-out customers, “Dr. Antony Fauci is a long time guest and he
wants SIX FEET.”
“He’s a genuinely nice human being, and I deal with a lot who aren’t
sometimes,” says Tracy, whose wife, CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell, has
interviewed Fauci over the years. Tracy says Fauci’s sudden ascent into the pop
culture firmament doesn’t surprise him. But he doubts it phases Fauci.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
822“My father-in-law is an infectious disease doctor, and these guys not about
picking fights or the limelight,” says Tracy. “They’re about sharing information
and guiding you. And no one’s better at that than Tony.”
Fauci recently told an interviewer he appreciated the way “classy” actor Brad
Pitt played him on a recent Saturday Night Live stay-at-home broadcast, this
after Fauci said in an interview that Pitt would be his top choice for someone to
impersonate him on the show. But friends note celebrities don't really phase
him.
Stanford professor Relman, who focuses on microbiology and immunology,
recalls talking to Fauci about the time U2 singer Bono, who has focused his
philanthropy on Africa, wanted to discuss disease issues with Fauci.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
823“Tony thought it would cause too big a scene at the NIH, so he just told Bono
to come over to his house,” says Relman. “Bono did, but Tony forgot that that
might completely freak out his daughters, which it did. Those are just his
circles. His ability to talk honestly about important matters causes people to
seek him out.”
Study:Americans trust Fauci more than Trump or their own governors
Fauci's hoop dreams dashed by height
Fauci grew up in Brooklyn the grandson of Italian immigrants. His parents ran
a pharmacy. He did deliveries on his bicycle, while his older sister Denise ran
the register.
In past interviews, Fauci hasn’t revealed much about his hard-working
upbringing except to say that it laid the foundation for a life ultimately devoted
to science and public service.
Fauci went to Regis High School in Manhattan, which required commuting for
hours on buses and subways. Although a stand-out basketball player, his height,
5-foot-7, prompted him to look for a career outside sports.
For college, he attended Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, which like
Regis was run by Jesuits, whose educational philosophy seeks to meld
spirituality – Fauci is a lifelong Catholic – with social justice.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
824The experience was formative, says Eric Goosby, a distinguished professor of
medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, who met Fauci in the
1980s and has been a frequent guest at his friend’s pasta Bolognese dinners.
(“He’ll call me days before to make sure I’m still coming,” he says with a
laugh.)
“Tony was deeply affected by exposure to the Jesuit order, which fostered in
him a self-expectation of service,” says Goosby. “This guy goes to sleep and
wakes up asking, 'Have I done everything I can do?' It’s in his DNA.”
As is a fierce work ethic. In summers during college, Fauci worked
construction. As the story goes, one job found him helping on a new building at
the Cornell Medical College. Fauci vowed one day he would be an alum, and
made it happen.
“That story says it all to me,” says his friend Gabbe. “He just has this powerful
drive that won’t be stopped. The same thing happened when he graduated and
told people he was going to the NIH to study infectious diseases. People told
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
825him they were all conquered, this was a career-killer move. Not long after,
AIDS hit.”
Fauci’s role in the AIDS epidemic changed him. At first, he tackled the
growing crisis with a measured, data-driven approach to trying to find a
treatment. But that methodical tack infuriated gay activists watching friends die
daily.
“Initially, Fauci was very rigid in his approach to AIDS and people like (gay
rights activist and playwright) Larry Kramer got in his face, calling him the
worst things,” says Baruch College professor Engel, who wrote “The Epidemic:
A Global History of AIDS.” “And to Fauci’s credit, he got it and he changed.”
Fauci had been seen as the detached scientific face of an uncaring
administration led by President Ronald Reagan, late to understanding the scope
of the AIDS crisis. Fauci started to meet with members of the gay rights
community and quickly understood the need to include those who were
suffering in finding a solution.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
826Goosby, who was running of one the nation’s first AIDS clinics in the late ‘80s,
recalls attending a meeting with Fauci in Washington, D.C. The gathering was
attacked by ACT UP activists, who locked the meeting’s attendees, there to
discuss new drugs to fight HIV, inside the hall with chains.
“A lot of us were nervous and scared of possible violence,” Goosby recalls.
“But Tony looked at us and said, ‘This is our chance to learn about the
frustrations of the community. It’s an opportunity for us to learn and serve.’ I’ll
never forget that.”
Fauci turned enemies into allies
That shift in attitude – away from the rigidity of scientific pursuits and towards
an embrace of the human reality – soon turned enemies into lifelong friends,
says Matt Sharp, a San Francisco-based AIDS survivor and activist who was
part of many ACT UP protests in the nation’s capital aimed at calling out
Fauci.
“What developed was a very interesting mutual respect, where you have a hero
who once was an enemy,” says Sharp. “Once we got him to relate to us and our
reality, trust was established. Today, the AIDS community is glad he’s the one
leading this effort right now.”
Over what is now nearly a 50-year career with the NIH, Fauci has worked for
presidents as philosophically wide-ranging as Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill
Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, helping them through crises that
included the post-9/11 anthrax scares, SARS in 2003, H1N1 in 2009 and Ebola
in 2014.
Those who know Fauci marvel at how he keeps his political leanings private.
“I honestly don’t know if he’s a Democrat or Republican,” says Sharp. “But I
know he’s got an amazing grace and an ability to cut through the b-----. That’s
his genius.”
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
827That skill is particularly valuable now, as Fauci continues to navigate his truth-
telling role for a president whose response to criticism often is dismissal.
“He has always had a knack for telling it like it is, and letting the political chips
fall where they may,” says Stanford’s Relman. “Don’t forget, Tony Fauci is
proud card-carrying New Yorker. He has a blunt, endearing and no-nonsense
New York attitude, and I think Trump kind of gets that.”
Indeed, a brief #FireFauci firestorm that flared in the wake of Fauci appearing
to show exasperation at the president’s coronavirus remarks ended with Trump
saying Fauci wasn’t going anywhere.
That’s probably just fine with Fauci. He may not get much sleep these days,
and he’s contending with political forces dueling over just how much reopening
the country will lead to another coronavirus case spike and then more shut-
downs.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
828But friends insist he’d wouldn’t want to be anywhere other than in this hot seat.
Says Osterholm of the University of Minnesota: "I would go so far as to say
Tony's been the right man for the job for several decades now."
The recipe for that success perhaps can be found in remarks Fauci made around
this time in 2016 to the graduating class at Ohio State University.
Fauci started out by telling the graduates – in his trademark Brooklyn patois
that made “honor” sound like on-AH and “poverty” like PAW-vaty – that if
they’re like him, they’ll soon forget every word their commencement speaker
said.
Then over the next 12 succinct minutes, Fauci laid out five credos to live by:
Be a perpetual student, expect the unexpected, embrace public service, lead by
example, and, finally, pursue happiness.
As prescriptions go, Fauci has taken his own medicine. When he is at that West
Wing lectern, he seems to radiate a sense of satisfaction at simply being of
service despite the attendant slings and arrows of the post.
“Different pursuits provide joy," Fauci urged the gradates. "Find your source of
joy, and embrace it.”
……………………………………………………………………………………
…..
Important and somewhat ridiculous issue with Pence wanting to come to NIH
to thank the people at VRC and show his appreciation. He got into trouble at
Mayo Clinic last week since he went there and did not wear a mask when
everyone lse had a mask on and the press killed him. I had an agreement with
Marc Short that the VP would come to the VRC on Tuesday , April 5 and go
upstairs and meet the scientists. The rules of VRC are that masks must be
worn in the labs. Marc said that the VP would wear a mask in the labs, but
when we go downstairs to the lobby to have TF meeting followed by presser,
that he would not have to wear a mask since we never wear masks at TF
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
829meetings. All was well until Olivia Troye called me in a panic today saying
that the POTUS does not want the VP to wear a mask since it is a bad optic for
opening up (I cannot understand this reasoning). Nonetheless , the VP will not
wear a mask and so we are saying that he should not come. I refuse to give in.
Poor Olivia is caught in the middle. We shall see what happens.
PRESS: Several articles about me in print papers – New York Times and
Washington Post among several.
May 4, 2020 – Global - 3,350,000/239,000; USA – 1,142,000/67,000
Continued tension in GOP states wanting to re-open in defiance of many of the
recommended guidelines and Dem states the opposite. It is almost a political
and ideological dichotomy
CNN – Jake Tapper did a segment last night on the inadequate response of the
Trump administration to the pandemic. I came out relatively well.
VP Call with Governors from Sit Room. Again, it seemed like a lot of happy
talk, particularly from GOP governors saying that they are doing well and 40
states have submitted their plans for re-opening. They seem to indicate that
most have what they need regarding tests, etc. Yet, when you spek to the
locals, that is not always the case.
Real crazy-town today. VP wanted to come to VRC to thank people in the
labs at VRC working on a COVID-19 vaccine. However, despite the problem
he got into at Mayo, his staff (Olivia Troye) told me he would not wear a mask.
This despite the fact that he did wear one at GM and admitted that it was a
mistake not to wear one at Mayo. Turns out the reason is that Trump did not
want him to wear a mask since it would be a bad signal in his quest to re-open
the country (totally crazy!). Nonetheless, we worked out a compromise
whereby he would come to VRC, not go upstairs and would have a Task Force
meeting in the first floor conference room. No one would wear masks, but the
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
830yunger researchers would not present to him. This defeats the purpose of the
visit, which was to thank the young researchers. We thought that we had it all
worked out with Francis greeting the VP and I and John Mascola take over.
Not so easy. Francis calls me in distress late that evening and says that he
looked at his recent message to NIH community that says everyone should
wear a mask on campus, every place and at all times. Therefore, we have to
disinvite the VP. Much stress. Marc Short came to the rescue with a plan to
do this without creating a shit-storm. We cancelled the visit to VRC, will
bring John, Barney and Francis to White House and have the TF meeting
concentrating on work at the VRC where John and I will explain our vaccine
efforts for COVID. (WTF???). All this because the VP listened to the POTUS
and would not wear a mask.
That night I did CNN with Cuomo (see below). We spoke about the new
models showing 3000 deaths pe day and about 134,000 total deaths if we back
off on mitigation the way the POTUS is pushing. During the interview, Chris
gave a wonderful explanation to viewers how close and good friends we are
and how I checked in on him every night including weekends for weeks during
his COVID illness. Never saw something like that on TV. He praised me such
that Megan (who was watching live) said it almost brought her to tears.
PRESS: CNN with Chris Cuomo
May 5, 2020 – Global – 3,500,000/240,000; USA – 1,200,000/69,000
OMG! This is really getting nutsy. Sally Quinn evidently wrote a book some
time ago about a character that is me:
https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/05/05/sally-quinn-modeled-the-erotic-hero-of-her-
1991-bestseller-on-anthony-fauci/
The Maureen Dowd sends me an e-mail: “I can see it”
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
831Did a TF meeting today in the Sit Room (see above) displaying the NIH (esp. VRC)
vaccine effort. I took Barney Graham, John Mascola (who presented) and Francis
Collins. We successfully got VP to understand the NIH intramural and extramural.
Got call from Paula Reid asking about a story in the New York Times that the WH is
disbanding the Task Force. I told her that this was news to me. I also made peace with
her about the “confrontation” at a press conference that we had a few weeks back (see
above)
Today’s USA Today:
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
832Another bit of craziness: Paula Read of CBS called my cell and said that the NY
Times was reporting that WH was going to phase down the TF and was that true.
I told her that I had not heard that and it was news to me. She apparently reports
this on CBS and soon after, I get a call from Katie Miller saying that I am
contradicting the VP since when reporters asked him (someone leaked it from the
WH), he admitted that they were going in that direction. Katie says that I should
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
833not have said to Paula that I had not heard about this. I should have said I will get
back to you. I pushed back strongly. This is bullshit. The reporter asks if I had
heard about this and I said no. It would have been ridiculous to say anything else.
Finally Katie admitted thatr she had not even heard about it before the media
announced it. CRAZY TOWN!!
The woman who held the press conference call today (Karen Draper) saying that
she worked for me for 2 years and I sexually assaulted her flopped. There were
6 people on the call and the Buzzfeed reporter pointed out that he checked her out
and there was no record of her ast NIH ever. Also, he pointed out that she
pronounced my name Dr. Foouchi and so she could not have worked for me for 2
years. This is the second flopped accusation. (see above).
Much press on Trump blocking emfrom testifying before the House while
allowing me to testify before the Senate. Also, media frenzy regarding Trump
planning to phase out the TF. He does say that Deb and I will remain as
scientific advisors (whatever that means). My prediction is that Deb will stay in
the WH and I will remain at NIH and only do minor peripheral stuff.
………………………………………………………………….
Tonight I had the usual 8:30 PM weekly “medical community” meeting (this is the
4th meeting) chaired by David Barr. He gets on the teleconference the following:
Balter (LA County); Allison Arwady (Chicago); Demitre Daskalakis (NYC);
LaQuandra Nesbitt (DC); Jeff Duchin (Seattle). They have the same issue –
mostly problem with testing, not enough, shortage of swabs, extraction material,
media, long wait for results. I keep bringing this up to TF and TF (Giroir and
Jared) do happy talk.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
834May 6, 2020 – Global – 3,53,000/245,000; USA – 1,200,000/71,000
Begin day with uncertainty about the fate of the TF as well as the fact that there is
great discord in the country regarding opening abruptly versus continued careful
mitigation. It is clear thsat Trump and advisors are concentrating only on opening
and saving the economy for the election in November. To be fair, we should
consider that there are unintended consequences in my area of health. Had
conversation with Bob Redfield lastr night about the fact that >1 million children
world-wide have missed their measles vaccinations because of the shutdown.
This is terrible and needs to be addressed since on that basis alone, there would be
far, far more excess deaths from measles among children than coronavirus deaths
among children. I need to bring this up at TF meeting.
Trump does complete turnaround and now says that he will continue the TF
indefinitely since he has gotten so many call from “good people” who tell him that
the TF has do a “great job” and he should not dissolve it. Katie Miller and I laugh
at each other in the Sit Room (see above).
At TF meeting VP apologizes to me about the misinformation regarding the
dissolution of the Tf and how that oput me in an awkward position with the media
(see above). He admikts that he was “blindsided” since someone (likely Jared)
leaked the story without telling Pence (Yikes!). I also took the opportunity
together with Deb Birx who was there for the conversation that it is clear that Deb
and I are being blocked from appearing the press (specifically national TV). I
explained to Pence that I was formerly doing 2 TV hits per day and now I am
doing 1 and at the most 2 per week with nothing on Sundays. He was surprised
and said he would speak with Kayleigh about it.
Also, they want to beef up the TF with both economists and some additional
medical people. Marc Short and Pence sked me to ask Francis Collins to join. I
spoke with Francis tonight and , as expected, Francis would do it even though it
would be an added burden of work piled on an already packed schedule. A bit
unusual that they would have 2 NIH people on TF.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
835Got rather unusual phone call from Larry Horowitz arranged by Anna Eschoo (D-
CA). He was asking questions about Rick Bright, likely related to tomorrow’s
Hearing on the Whistleblower issue and his getting fired from BARDA. I was
careful in response. Larry said he had many e-mails (from January, 2020) where
Rick was calling attention to fact that we needed supplies for the SNS (masks,
PPE, ets) and Kadlec was not listening. The e-mail make Kadlec look bad.
Larry wanted to know if I knew about these e-mails. I had never seen them.
They were all e-mails within ASPR/HHS/BARDA.
Trouble looming with the distribution of the Remdesivir that was donated by
Gilead. Kadlec with Adm. P given task of distributing the drug equitably and
eithically (Chris was consulted) to the hospitals that needed it. VP at the end of
the TF meeting asked Azar, Kadlec, Adm. P, Deb and then unexpectedly me to get
on the phone tonight and by tomorrow have a solution to what was perceived as a
misalignment of distribution. It was clear from discussion last night that someone
(likely Kadlec and ASPR) screwed up since in NYC, it was clear (and I picked it
up right away) that the hospitals such as Cornell and Columbia did not get drug
while Queens Hospital and Lincoln Hospital got drug. There is a furor about his
screwup and Deb is not hesitating to call it out.
May 7,2020 – Global – 3,600,000/248,000; USA – 1,210,000/73,000
Phone call with Secretary Azar about how to fix this problem. Cluster in process.
Deb does not show up for phone call.
Francis at Hearing today aimed at the Rick Bright issue. Not much problem for
Francis.
Big Cluster regarding the mis-distribution of Remdesivir. FEMA dropped the
ball. They were supposed to distribute through ASPR the drug accoding to need
of hospitalized patients in states. Deb Birx made it clear in an e-mail to Pete
Gayno (FEMA Director) that the drug should be distributed according to need.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
836Gaynor either did not read the e-mail or blew it off. What happened was that
FEMA told ASPR (Kadlec) to distribute the drug to 7 states (at first) according to
population of the States with indicating any relationship to hospitalized patients.
Kadlec balked and FEMA (working with Navy Adm. Polowcyzc) said “stand
down andsend it”. Bob caved in and off it went. And so some hospitals with few
or no patients got lost of drugs and hospitals like Cornell, Columbia and NYU got
no drug. A hospital received drug that was not aware of the cold-chain
requirement. Drug ruined. People started complaining and the press got hold of
it and is now reporting about lack of transparency. FEMA is saying that the plan
of distribution was an HHS and Task Force plan. Deb went ballistic and the press
are buzzing around.
Washington Post article today:
Sally Quinn Modeled the Erotic Hero of
Her 1991 Bestseller on…Anthony Fauci
Yes, that Anthony Fauci. In the novel, the character
romances the first lady.
Written by Benjamin Wofford
| Published on May 5, 2020
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
837This article appeared in Salon:
Woman who accused Dr. Anthony Fauci
of sexual assault now claims Trump
supporters paid her to lie
Diana Andrade claims right-wing provocateur Jacob
Wohl and frequent accomplice Jack Burkman were
behind the scheme
Travis Gettys
May 7, 2020 4:09PM (UTC)
Media blitz, stories (mostly good, but some critical) abound with dozens per day.
Truly unbelievable. People naming their dogs after me. Sally Quinn saying that I
was the erotic lead male in a book she wrote in 1994. She had met me at a dinner
that year. And on and on.
Still press is fixating on my not being allowed to testify before the Dem House but
testifying before the GOP Senate
May 8, 2020 – Global – 3,670,000/254,000; 1,240,000/75,200;
COVID-19 hits the White House!! Yesterday, it was revealed that the personal
valet of the POTUS tested positive for Sars-CoV-2. However, today it was noted
that Katie Miller tested positive. She was negative yesterday and positive X2
today!!! She had sxs in the Sit room yesterday and sat next to Steve Hahn and
behind Azar. I was on the other side of the room from her, but she was coughing
in the room. She sat next to Olivia Troye when she was coughing and, in the
afternoon, yesterday, Olivia sat right next to me in the Ward Room of the West
Wing for 45 minutes. In the room were Deb Birx, Steve Hahn, Bob Redfield,
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
838Tyler Ann, Seema Verma. Big upheaval in the WH now. Katie sits next to Mark
Meadows every morning in the AM meeting; however, she was negative
yesterday. I tested negative today as did Olivia and Bob Redfield and Steve
Hahn. Steve Miller is negative (I spent time next to him in the Sit Room).
I spent much time on phone this evening advising Katie and Steve Miller as to
what they should do. She is 10 weeks pregnant. I advised that Steve must move
out of the house into a hotel; he still has to self-isolate for 14 days. If he stays in
the house, whether or not he gets infected, he still must self-isolate for 14 days
after Katies tests negative. His clock will start after he separates from Katie and
so he should start the clock now.
We had our pre-brief for the Senate HELP Hearing on May 12 and we are trying
to decide whether to call off the Hearing or do it virtually. There are different
degrees of risk for the 4 witnesses: Giroir – no risk – was not in the room; Fauci –
low risk – in room but separated; Redfield – Moderate risk – closer to Katie; Hahn
– a bit higher – sat next to Katie. And so we will have an issue with consistency
since technically, Steve is the only one who should not go to the Hearing.
If we postpone hearing, there will be political blowback from the Dems. If we do
it, people will say we are violating our own public health recommendation.
Tough situation.
It is my impression that there will be several more infections in the WH over the
next few days. They should do everything virtually.
Mark Meadows wants to delare TF members as essential workers and test us every
day for 10 days and wear masks, 6 ft distance and come to work. CDC people
first said that all in the room should quarantine for 14 days. We are trying to
work this out. I strongly disagree with switching to 10 days. That would be an
unforced error as far as PR is concerned. I am OK with testing every day,
wearing mask and doing mostly telework for 14 days. Let us see what happens
tomorrow.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
839Crazy Judy Mikovits. See Science article:
Fact-checking Judy Mikovits, the
controversial virologist attacking
Anthony Fauci in a viral conspiracy
video
By Martin Enserink, Jon CohenMay. 8, 2020 , 6:20 PM
May 9, 2020 – Global – 3,760,000/260,000; USA – 1,270,000/77,000
Trying to figure out policy for addressing the infection on WH complex.
Big breaking news tonight! Steve Hahn who was closest to Katie is going into
strict 14 date home quarantine. Bob Redfield who had a moderate exposure is
also saying he is going itnom14 day quarantine (when in fact he will gointo his
office).
Jake Tapper called me and asked whether I was going inot quarantine. I
explained to Jake that I would do a “modified quarantine” since I was a low risk
exposure to Kstie. Thid merans that I will get tested every day, would wear a
mask ontinually, and would spend most of my time either alone in my home office
or alone in my NIH office and would go to White House or Congress with
precautions of universal mask wearing and phycial distancing. I tested negative
yesterday and will get tested every day for 14 days and then 1 time per week
afterwards.
This went viral with calls from multiple neywroks to confirm the CNN story and
from people like Dani Bolognesi worried that I was actually infected.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
840Also, I am calling Katie frequently to check on her couple time per day. She is
very anxious about getting very ill since she is 10 weeks pregnant. Tonight she
had an anxiety reaction. I calmed her over the phone. Her pulse Ox is fine and
she is afebrile.
Marc Short and others close to Katie really should do some sort of quarantine
(even if modified), but they are not even wearing masks. Not a good metric.
PRESS: I am all over the news regarding my “modified quarantine” (see
above)
May 10, 2020 – Global – 4,150,000/283,000; USA – 1,290,000/79,000
Much flurry over the press wanting to understand the difference between a
modified quarantine and a total quarantine. I am explaining. Also, I do not want
to do the Hearing in person on Tuesday, but Mark meadows is getting pressure
from the POTUS and others in WH to have me do it in person. It would give
mixed signals given my statement of Modified Quarantine. It would be an
unforced error if I did. We finally decided that all 4 witnesses (Giroir, Fauci,
Hahn and Redfield would do it virtually.
President Trump called my cell while I was at home to check and see if I was
OK, having heard that I was in semi-quarantine.
Reports from all over the world including USA of children who are SARS-CoV-2
infected who develop a Kawasaki-like syndrome. NIH will start to study these
children. We have heard from UK and Italy.
Many e-mails from friends concerned about me. Some misinterpreted and
thought that I was actually infected (Mike Gerson)
Reports of countries and some states in the USA that are opening up and triggering
blips and rebounds. Actually the curve of new infections is flat (at a high level).
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
841It is flat because cities like NYC and NO are going down while others are going
up. Up + Down = Flat
PRESS: Heavy TV and print cover of Hahn, Redfield and I going into
quarantine.
May 11, 2020 – Global – 3,930,000/275,000; USA – 1,320,000/79,500
Some press bugging Courtney as to the precise nature of my “modified
quarantine”. This is related to the fact that there is major inconsistency in the
White House. Marc Short (whom I resally like) practically sits on Katie’s lap and
he is vey close to the VP. Yet he is not even wearing a mask. He actually should
be self-quarantining. He was at a much greater risk than I.
Got phone call from Alex Azar as I wa leaving my house with Security to go to
NIH at ~7:45 AM. Alex was concerned that the WH wanted him tosit in the
Situation Room without a mask with the POTUS on the csall with the governors.
Also, they went him to sit next to the POTUS in the Rose Garden later in the day.
Alex is a higher risk than I sitting right in front of Katie. Alex is very
uncomfortable about this and does not know what to do. It is tough to say no to
Mark Meadows who is insisting. (this is why Mark was torn and wanted me to
appear in person before the HELP Committee Hearing tomorrow - we discussed
this by phone over the weekend and finally I convinced him to have all 4 of us -
Giroir, Redfield, Hahn and me do the Hearing virtually)
Call with Sen. Lamar Alexander regarding tomorrow’s HELP Hearing. It was a
courtesy call and his wanting to know what would be the best questions to ask.
He is set on testing all college students before re-starting school in August.
Hilarious video of Billy Crystal playing me in a Trump dungeon prison:
. https://www.thedailybeast.com/billy-crystals-dr-anthony-fauci-held-hostage-by-trump-during-feeding-
america-comedy-festival.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
842Continued interest by the press on the “quarantine” of me, Redfield and Hahn
since they want to focus on why the VP and POTUS who have as much exposure
to Katie and we have are not quarantining.
Note from Barbra Streisand:
From: Kelly Dipaola <[email protected]>
Date: May 11, 2020 at 6:59:11 PM EDT
To: "Fauci, Anthony (NIH/NIAID) [E]" <[email protected]>
Cc: "Conrad, Patricia (NIH/NIAID) [E]" <[email protected]>
Subject: A message from Barbra Streisand
Dear Dr. Fauci,
Ms. Streisand asked that I send the below message to you.
Many thanks,
Kelly
Dear Tony,
I can't imagine how you're feeling right now, but I hope you are staying
healthy and well.
Please know I deeply appreciate the important and consistent work you are
doing to assist our country during this difficult and challenging time. From
the bottom of my heart I thank you and your colleagues for your constant
guidance, patience and reassurance that we, as a nation, will find answers
and make it through these times.
I wanted to share a recent video I put together to honor the heroic efforts of
essential workers. I hope it brings you a few minutes of calm during this time
and shows you how grateful I am for the selfless work you, and all those on
the frontline, are doing every day to keep us safe.
You are in my thoughts and prayers every day. Stay strong and be well.
Barbra
May 12, 2020 – Global – 4,000,000/280,000; USA – 1,350,000/81,000
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
843Mark Meadows called this AM (7:15 AM) before the HELP Hearing
checking on how I was and thanking me for “taking flak from both sides”.
He is a good guy, but I think that the call was prompted somewhat by a NY
Times story this AM (Sheryl Gay Stolberg) that reported my saying to
Sheryl when she asked what I hope to accomplish at the Hearing, I said to
let people know that they must be careful in opening the country and not
go too fast or prematurely since we risk the problem of rebound.
Hearing went well by virtual. I was in my home office. Had a little scuffle
with Rand Paul who said that I am not the end all and be all to close down
the country. I went back at him and tweets said I came out way on top.
Received 2 packages of cookies from Joe and Jill Biden with note: “You are
our hero. Stay strong and healthy. We need you”.
VOX did a mini-history of me: https://bit.ly/2WrCa4w
May 13, 2020 – Global – 4,100,000/285,000; USA – 1,400,000/82,000
Press today and yesterday afternoon reporting heavily on the Senate Hearing from
yesterday. Playing up that I am the voice of reason. However, I am obviously
causing conern among GOP who want to open quickly. FOX News blasting me –
Hannity, Carlson, Ingraham.
See Politico piece about GOP getting “Fauci Fatigue:
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/12/anthony-fauci-republicans-coronavirus-
251919
Had a wonderful Instagram discussion organized by the ONE Campaign with
Julia Roberts. She was absolutely fabulous. She embarrassed me somewhat
when I sat down in the chair and appeared on the screen through Zoom, she put
her hands in front of her mouth and said “Oh my God. It’s Dr. Fauci, he is here.”
Then she went on to say that I was he personal hero and how happy she was to
have this conversation with me. We discussed COVID-19 and its potential
impact on the developing world. I told her that we have a moral responsibility to
help and also we have enlightened self-interest in that if the outbreak continues in
the developing world, it will always be a threat to the rest of the world. Also, we
discussed the importance of including the developing world in the vaccine trials
and accessibility of vaccine. She was totally down to earth. Great experience!!
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
844Dick Cheney called me to thank me for what I was doing and to say that he fully
supported me. I acknowledged and thanked him and his daughter Liz for sticking
up for me after the Senate Hearing yesterday. He was muted in his criticism of
Trump, but he did agree that Trump was living in an alternative universe (I said
this and he agreed)
After the TF meeting (which I attended virtually since Natalie Hurst said there was
a crowded field and I should stay at NIH and call in), the VP wanted to chat with
me. He kept me on the phone for 25 minutes talking about the meeting that he
and Deb had (by zoom) with College and University Presidents including Stanford
and UVA among others. The presidents had sound plans for opening up in late
August. I agreed with them that they need to test everyone before they come on
campus and weed out (temporarily) those that are infected (both symptomatic and
symptomatic) to start off with a zero baseline infections. Afdter that, they do
surveiilance and indentification/isolation/contact tracing on all new cases. All
students with co-morbidities should do classes by virtual. Sounds like a good
plan.
During the call, the VP said that I was the most visible and trusted asset in the
country.
Tonight, CNN really played up the “feud” between the POTUS and me. They
fed him that I said we should not open schools, when in fact, I said that we would
not have a vaccine in time to vaccinate the students (mostly college) for the
August/Fall semester. This was in response to a question from Lamar Alexander.
In an interview, the press kept asking POTUS about my cautoon in opening the
country and my concern about opening the economy. He obviously got annoyed
and explicitly criticized me (first time he has done this). That is when CNN went
wild and on Erin Burnett, Anderson Cooper, and Don Lemon they had people
saying how I was correct and the POTIS was wrong and that they should believe
me. I called up Chris Cuomo before his show and told him the truth. He gave a
more measured account on his show. Now I know why the VP spent so much
time with me on the phone talking about his conversation with the college
presidents about opening the colleges. VP is a “good guy”. I think he was trying
to protect and shield me. I texted Mark Meadows at 8:51 PM to call me to
explain, and he never did. Let us see what tomorrow brings.
PRESS: See above media blitz about my feud with the POTUS
May 14, 2020 – Global – 4,170,000/288,000; USA – 1,380,000/84,000
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
845POTUS on FOX this AM blasting me saying that I disagreed with his decision to
stop travel from China.
Big buzz in media about the POTUS feud with Fauci
I spoke with Mark Short by phone and he is very much OK with me. He
suggested that I speak with the POTUS and explain exactly what I said. I have
been trying to connect with Mark Meadows by phone and text, but no response
thus far.
Moncef Slaoui joins the team as the “Czar” for
Vaccines/Therapeutics/Diagnostics.
Mark Meadows called me back and confirmed that the POTUS is upset with me.
I explained to him that there is confusion. I never said do not open the schools.
I said that we would not have a vaccine ready. Mark said that he would speak
with the POTUS and perhaps have the POTUS call me. Chris Cuomo, and Jake
Tapper are trying to clarify this in my defense on their shows.
Mark Meadows calls me back and says that he spoke with the POTUS and the
POTUS understands and all is good. He appreciates my reaching out to him.
I went to West Wing for meeting with Deb Birx in her office (lower lobby). I
went upp to say hi to VP staff and Hope Hick saw me and asked how I was doing.
I had printed out the entire transcript from the HELP Hearing and tabbed the parts
that indicated that I did not say do not open the schools. Hope had those pages
copied and she will show them to the POTUS. Hopefully, this ends the “feud”
Getting many, many e-mail of support from all over the world. This has made big
news!
In a column today in the Washington Post, Mike Gerson said:
“At one level, this is an unfair fight. Trump is a proven and perpetual liar, and his Fox
News allies are artless, shameless ideologues. Fauci is one of the greatest humanitarian
physicians of our time, whose entire career has been committed to scientific integrity and
truth-telling. In a battle of credibility, the duplicitous, conspiratorial demagogues are at a
serious disadvantage.”
May 15, 2020 – Global - 4,200,000/3295,000; USA – 1,410,000/86,000
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
846IMPORTANT DAY AT WHITE HOUSE: Wen to White House as usual, but
today was a Rose garden ceremony announcing the “Operation Warp Speed”,
which is the interagency plan to develop a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the
year and have 100 million doses by November and 300 million by Jan. 2021. This
is the plan that we have been working on for some time at NIAID. In addition,
the occasion was to introduce Moncef Slaoui as the “Czar” for the project and
General Gus Perna as the COO or logistic person for the supply of vaccine doses.
Important event was my meeting with the POTUS in the context of our
ongoing “feud”. We (those who would be on the stage with him in the Rose
Garden – Sec. Azar and Sec, Mark Esper (DoD), General Mark Milley (Chair,
Joint Chiefs); Gen. Gus Perna, Francis Collins, Deb Birx) were all in the Oval
waiting for the POTUS. We all had masks on. The POTUS walked in from the
Inner Office and immediately caught my eye and opend up his arms. He gently
pulled my into the outer office where the TV was on giving the economic forecast
and said. “Tony, you are losing me trillions of fucking dollars.” Then he said
something interesting. Her said: “Tony, you and I are OK. There is no problem
between us We are similar is some respects. You are playing me and I am
playing you. I know you better than you think and I respect you and like you.
You need to do your thing and I need to do mine; as long as you understand tht I
need to keep this country alive.” Then as we were ready to go out, he looked at
all of us and said: “Do we really need to have those masks on. It sends the wrong
signal”. I told him that we should keep them on since it would be an unforced
error to take them off. The press would kill us. His response was “Who gives a
shit about the press; they will try to kill us no matter what we do.” Francis and
Deb looked to me and I said: “Mr. President, I will not remove the mask. I must
wear it.” He had a look of exasperation on his face and said: “OK, if you insist”
(Francis and Deb sighed a sigh of relief as it was clear that Deb was willing to
romove the mask; Francis was with me). However, he turned to the generals and
Azar and Esper and said: “You guys, take you masks off, you hear me?”. They
dutifully did and we all walked out to theRose Garden. After the ceremony when
we came back to the Oval and were about to disperse, he came over to me and
said: “Tony, we are good, right?” I said: “We are good Mr. President”.
May 16,2020 (Saturday) – Global – 4,300,000/298,000 USA –
1,430,000/87,000
Front page of Washington Post headlines: “Trump’s vaccine timeline doubted”.
Quotes by good people like Paul Offit and Peter Hotez doubting the feasibility of
the announcement yesterday. This is an example of the problem with the new
COMMS people in the WH (Kayleigh et al) absolutely shutting me down
regarding approvals for the press. I could have easily explained the plan and put it
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
847into context. I ewxplained this to Marc Short on the phone this AM. He said that
he and the VP are just as frustrated with the situation. He thinks things will get a
little better as the new COMMS team gets better organized. I am not so sure of
that.
Peter Reiss of the Netherlands sent me a clip showing that I was the “Man of the
Week” of the leading Dutch newspapers:
Tony,
As I was reading through one of our Saturday national newspapers, I suddenly found
myself looking at this cartoon of yours, and thought I’ld share:
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/05/16/man-van-de-week-anthony-fauci-a3999906
The artist Sigried Woldhek, since the 70’s, every week draws a picture of a man or
woman who is in the news.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
848The accompanying text reads:
Who
Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the US National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases.
Why
Fauci, worldfamous expert in the field of infectious diseases and advisor to
all US presidents since Ronal Reagan, steadfast continues to provide
scientific explanation and advice about the coronavirus and the possible
consequences of measures taken and still to be the taken. But president
Trump is less and less pleased with that. He called some of Fauci’s remarks
during the Senate hearing unacceptable, and the pitbulls from Fox News
subsequently attacked Fauci full force.
How
Watercolour painting.
We’re living through unprecedented times as a medical and public health community, but
I can only imagine how you and your family must be experiencing these times.
You are doing an incredible job, we all stand with you, and I personally send you warm
regards,
Peter
Article in New York Times today by Aexalander Burns, Maggie haberman, Jonathan
Martin and Nick Corasaniti – “A President Riles a Nation Amid a Crisis” mentions that
Trump is hurting himself by attacking attacking everyone in sight, trashing Obama and
“distancing himself from a highy poplar Dr. Anthony Fauci”
………………………………………………………………………………….
May 17. 2020 (Sunday) Global – 4,400,000/302,000; USA – 1,460,000/89,000
Continued blocking me from appearing on any press . Also, doing this somewhat
for Birx. Deb getting slammed by many in press as caving in to POTUS and not
sticking up for her principles.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
849Sunday shows were all about opening up the economy with Tom Frieden, Tom
Ingelsby, Scott Gottlieb giving their version and mostly agreeing with me.
Navarro still spewing his stuff.
What is evolving is that states that are opening thus far are not seeing an increase
in cases. In fact, some are seeing decreases. We need another couple of weeks
to se what is happening. Interesting that they might be paying attention more to
mask use and social distancing as they open. This is true EXECPT for the young
people who are going to the bars (Milwaukee) and beaches (South Carolina,
Georgia, Florida).
There are 2 patterns: Acute outbreaks in nursing homes (1/3 of all dealth are in
nursing homes), prisons, and meat packing plants, and industries where workers
are in dormitory-like quarters. This is easily recognizable and quickly contained.
Then there is the more subtle community spread that gradually accelerates and
requires contact tracing. It is conceivable that we will progress in the next weeks
with little to modest community spread and many acute outbreaks as described
accounting for the spikes that we are seeing and will see.
~6:00 PM received a call from Jared Kushner. He wanted to feel me out about a
few things. Primarily he wanted to get my take on Operation Warp Speed. He
wanted my perspective on the structure, what it meant, my take on Moncef Slaoui.
He did not fully realize and it was good that I explained to him that the
development of the COVID-19 vaccine(s), i.e. the science and implementation of
trials is WHAT I DO. I asked him to make sure that when new people come in
and new structures are formed that we do not “reboot” and re-invent the wheel.
We are well into the process and I just do not want any person or organization or
structure get in my way. My team is the best that there is. I believe he got it.
He wanted to know how the military fits into this. It was clear during the
conversation that he is the link to the POTUS and his skepticism about HHS and
Azar came through. Nowhere was there mention of the VP, which aligns with
what I am witnessing, i.e. the dichotomy between Jared and the POTUS versus
OVP. He spoke of the role of the military in logistics and supply. I emphasized
that I do not do that; I develop vaccines and do clinical trials. I punt to others to
produce and distribute.
Also, it is clear that he wants to phase out the Task Force and move on the more of
the various agencies of government doing their thing. He will keep Deb Birx,
who clearly is in his favor. It seems to me that there is a lot of “palace intrigue”
going on or about to go on. We shall see.
May 18, 2020 – Global – 4,500,000/308,000; USA – 1,500,000/90,000
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
850The Moderna/VRC data on the high levels of neutralizing Abs in the two doses
(25 microgram and 100 microgram) given in phase 1 trial are being released today
by Moderna. I have been asked by Jim Sciutto of CNN to discuss this on his
show and have requests from NY Times (Denise Grady), WSJ, and STAT to
comment. We are getting the same stonewall from WH COMMS. They do not
answer our requests for clearance. This in the background of not allowing me out
in the press for the past 2 weeks under any circumstances. Jim Sciutto called the
WH Comms and they told him no and Jim wrote back to me by text message:
“Between us, someone in WH told us they’re aware you’re frustrated but
“don’t care”.
I called up Marc Short and explained to him. Good guy that he is, he is going to
look into it. Katie Miller, whom I have been following every day for her COVID-
19 is feeling better and I mentioned it to her also. She will be back soon.
Got call to rush down to White House by Olivia Troye. They now want me at the
Governors teleconference run by POTUS in Sit Room with First Lady Melania.
POTUS very friendly and usual warm to me in the room. Most states are starting
to open us and POTUS cheering them on He calls upon me to explain to
Governors theModerna announcement. Govenors are all gushing over the POTUS
and telling him what a fabulous job he is doing. He made the call go for almost 2
hours since he lover the adoration.
Marc Short writes me a text saying that since the POTUS was so friendly with me,
maybe now the Comms thing will get straightened out. I doubt it. I am thinking
of confronting Kayleigh and/or bringing it up with Marc Meadows.
May 19, 2020 – Global – 4,600,000/312,000; USA – 1,500,000/91,000
Despite my being kept out of the press by the Whit House COMMS people, the
media blitz about me continues strong, as well as the gimmick stuff like underwear
(bikini) with either my name on the front or Govs. Cuomo or Newsom (D-CA).
Signs in DC: https://bit.ly/36dKb0f
I decided to take the bull by the horns and address this muzzling of me and importantly,
the fact that the requests that we are sending down for clearance are just being ignored.
Instead of going to Mark Meadows and jumping over the head of Kayleigh McEnany, I
decided to go straight to Kayleigh. It worked out beautifully. I described it in an e-m,ail
that I sent to Courtney and Patty tonight after the call with Kayleigh and Alyssa Farah:
Courtney/Patty:
Important breakthrough! Spoke tonight with Kayleigh McEnany and had good
conversation. Although she is copied on all the e-mails, she rarely reads them. I
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
851explained the problem of lack of any response to our inquiries. I believe it is now
fixed. First, she said that all our correspondences to them should include copies
to Lyndee Rose at [email protected] . The she connected me with Alissa
Farah and with that everything got settled and fixed. I had a long conversation with
Alyssa. Her cell phone # is (202) 809-6071. I explained that my two contacts are
Courtney and Patty. She admitted that they were holding me back , but she feels that this
has gotten out of hand. She was terrific on the phone. We made a deal. New
Rules: For all print press like the 3 requests from NY Times, WSJ and STAT regarding
the Moderna data, we DO NOT NEED clearance. We can respond on the record and we
merely need to let her know what we are doing and keep her in the loop. For podcasts
and talks to organizations, i.e. Council on Foreign Relations, we DO NOT NEED
clearance. We merely need to inform them as an FYI. For major TV hits, we need
clearance, but send directly to Alyssa and Lyndee. She said she will start clearing our
TV requests tomorrow depending on what the topic is. She admitted, they definitely
should have cleared the requests regarding Moderna. She says that she trusts that I know
what I am doing and can handle anything, and will start clearing my TV requests, but
said that with certain really sensitive subjects like the bleach issue, they would rather not
have me out there. It was a great conversation and I believe that we have now fixed the
problem. We can discuss more tomorrow.
Thanks,
Tony
May 20, 2020 – Global – 4,700,000/317,000; USA – 1,530,000/92,000
The Fauci craze continues. Some select examples:
Brooklyn Artist Jeremy Penn’s Dr. Anthony Fauci Portrait Nets $15K For
Charity.
Page Six (5/19, Mohr, 1.6M) reports, “Brooklyn artist Jeremy Penn, who has painted Diane
von Furstenberg, Kate Moss, John Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld, sold a portrait of” Anthony
Fauci for $15,000. Penn “s donating all proceeds from the Fauci piece to charities True Hero
Fund and No Kid Hungry.”
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
852Already starting to get clearances for press appearances. Alyssa is keeing her word.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
853On Conference call with the OWS group, it is clear that Jared Kushner is inverting
himself in the process of decisions about vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics that
disturbs me. Also, I am concerned that Jared said that after 1 hour and 45 minutes of
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
854discussion, Jared said that we need to run this by Deb Birx. I have a bad feeling about
this.
Had nice teleconference with the advisory board to Mayor Bowser in helping her to open
up DC. Old friends Susan Rice and Mike Chertoff on on the board. They were very
appreciative.
May 21, 2020 - Global – 4,800,000/320,000; USA – 1,600,000/94,000
Will start doing print interviews in earnest today starting with Denise Grady and Noah
Weiland of NY Times.
Also, spoke with Sanjay Gupta explaining the Moderna data. Interesting that despitr
Alyssa’s promise, they still have not cleared me for Jim Sciutto. However, I was cleared
to do the CNN Town Hall.
Cartoon in USA Today: https://bit.ly/3bQDXVt
My instgram interview with Julia Roberts: https://people.com/movies/julia-roberts-
cute-reaction-speaking-dr-anthony-fauci/
Did a Zoom interview and town hall under Boomberg/Harvard moderated by Mayor
Michael Boomberg with 190 Mayors of various cities throughout the country
PRESS: CNN Town Hall with Anderson Cooper and Sanjay Gupta
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
855May 22, 2020 – Global -4,900,000/325,000; USA – 1,600,000/95,000
Turmoil in OWS – Peter Marks drops out. Upset with how he is being treated with the
arrival of Moncef.
Moncef has met with pharma companies involved in the harmonized protocols and as
expected they expressed doubt about the possibility that we (NIAID/USG) could pull the
trials off. Deep down, they want the money and they want to do it on their own. I will
set up teleconference next week with Francis, me, Larry Corey, John maslcola, Cliff and
the CEIO’s of the companies tomstraighten this out.
Trump getting out of control in pushing to open up the country and get the economy back
before election day. He is desparate. This is all about re-election.
PRESS: NPR Morning Edition; Nextstar Interview with Mike Saag; CNBC with
Meg Tirrell;
May 23, 2020 - Global 5,000,000;328,000; USA – 1,600,000/96,000
Some states flattening and coming down, while others showing some spiking. DC still
not coming down nor is Chicago or Los Angeles.
Argument about whether the CDC and other groups are undercounting or overcounting
deaths. At the Senate Hearing 2 weeks ago I said I thought that if anything, we are
undercounting deaths since people were likely dying at home of COVID-19 and not
getting counted since they were not getting to the hospital.
The media and magazine craze about me continues. Here is one from The Atlantic:
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2020/05/pandemic-anthony-fauci-
trump-ireland-tony-holohan/611890/
GLOBAL
The Faucis of the World
Thrusting once-anonymous health experts into leadership
creates a tension when political decisions must be made.
TOM MCTAGUE
MAY 22, 2020
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
856ALEX WONG / BRIAN SMIALOWSKI / GETTY / THE ATLANTIC
MAY 24, 2020 -
Not on Sunday shows today despite multiple requests. DC, MD VA has most cases now
per capita.
Nice pick up on Boston TV station of my words to the Holy Cross 202 Graduating Class:
https://www.boston25news.com/news/health/dr-anthony-fauci-surprises-holy-cross-2020-
graduates-with-inspiring-message/PHPQQBXP3BFYDPENB4UERGCRXI/
Jennifer Rubin in the Washington Post:
Distinguished person of the week: He’s
back!
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
857Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases, outside the White House on Friday. (Alex Brandon/AP)
By
Jennifer Rubin
Opinion writer
May 24, 2020 at 7:45 a.m. EDT
President Trump has done his best to muzzle the most trusted voice on the coronavirus
epidemic. Indeed, until late last week we had not seen much of Anthony S. Fauci,
director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently. Then, on
Thursday, he reemerged for a CNN town hall.
Fauci promised he would be out and about more. “We’ve been talking with the
communications people, and they realize we need to get some of this information out,
particularly some of the scientific issues for which I’m predominantly responsible for, so
hopefully we’ll be seeing more of us, will get the opportunity to talk to you.” Once more,
he was a source of common-sense advice: Go for a walk. Wear a mask. Socially distance.
He’ll forgo a haircut for now.
On Friday, Fauci gave an interview for the Hill. He tempered the president’s unrealistic
happy talk about producing a vaccine by the end of the year. He frowned on the
“Operation Warp Speed” moniker coined by Trump. “I’m a little concerned by that name
because it can imply by warp speed that you’re going so fast that you’re skipping over
important steps and are not paying enough attention to safety, which is absolutely not the
case,” he said. “But in this program of hastening the development of the vaccine, it’s
something that we do feel actually is feasible to get the kinds of doses that you would
need.” He remained optimistic but measured about our ability to find a vaccine.
Most important, he warned states to maintain precautions as they began to reopen. “It is
prudent for states who are at various levels of infection to follow the guidelines that have
come out about reopening or opening America again,” Fauci warned. “And that is to get
past the gateway criteria and then go into the various phases at the rates that are
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
858prescribed by the guidelines. Obviously if some states don’t do that, there is always a risk
that you may have a resurgence.”
Fauci remains one of the most trusted people in America precisely because he steers clear
of divisive partisanship and delivers objective data. A Quinnipiac poll released this week
shows his approval rating is 68 percent, 26 points higher than Trump’s. Even a majority
of Republicans (51 percent) approve of the job Fauci is doing. It is easy to figure out
why. As he puts it, he makes certain to “give the best public health advice and guidance
based on data, based on science and based on evidence.”
Fauci has conveyed lifesaving information to millions of Americans, avoiding hype and
hyperbole. Managing to stay in an administration that has consistently demonstrated its
hostility to science without sacrificing candor is no easy feat. His ability to communicate
scientific information effectively is reflected in the overwhelming number of Americans
who are following his advice (e.g., wearing masks) and in their determination to avoid
excessively risky behavior. Fauci has no doubt saved countless lives by encouraging
Americans to follow social-distancing measures and by acting as a restraint on the
president, who remains a menace to public health. Moreover, Fauci has restored our faith
that facts do matter to the vast majority of Americans.
For all that we can say, stay healthy and well done, Dr. Fauci.
……………………………………………………………………
Teleconference with CDC and others from HHS in anticipation of an MMWR coming
out on Tuesday showing that there was not widespread infection in the USA that was
unnoticed (i.e. in Dec. 2019 and early Jan. 2020). CDC is a bit defensive since some
have said that they missed community spread that was going on for some time.
May 25, 2020 – Global - 5,200,000/339,000; USA – 1,650,000/98,000
Will discuss on today’s group call (Fauci, Corey,Mascola,Lane, Erbelding, Dieffenbach,
Marston, Conrad) the conference call with Pharma to take place on Wednesday.
May 26, 2020 - Global – 5,300,000/345,000; USA – 1,660,000/98,000
Still no clearances for press. Spoke last night with Chris Cuomo who feels that they do
not want me out there since I remind people of the challenge of COVID-19 and the
administration does not want that to be the topis. The topic for them is opening up the
economy, no matter what the consequences. Deb Birx out there losing credibility with
the community.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
859Was in Sit Room with the VP doing the Governors call. As usual, the governors were
highly complimenting of the administration. Having said that, thing do seem to be
improving with much more testing going on and several states having tested >5 % of the
populations and of those tested, many states have <10% which is the benchmark
indicating that you are testing enough people.
We are waiting to see if there will be rebounds associated with the opening up in certain
states.
PRESS: Washington Times interview;
May 27, 2020 - Global – 5,400,000/345,000; USA – 1,680,000/100,000
Larry Kramer dies! Very, very sad. Many calls and e-mails
PRESS: CNN with Jim Sciutto; PBS NewsHour with Judy Woodruff
May 28, 2020 – Global – 5,500,000/350,000; USA – 1,700,000/100,000
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/health/larry-kramer-anthony-fauci.html
‘We Loved Each Other’: Fauci
Recalls Larry Kramer, Friend and
Nemesis
In public, the activist berated the infectious disease expert for federal inaction on
AIDS. But their affection lasted decades and changed the course of the epidemic.
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860Larry Kramer in 2015. “It was an extraordinary 33-year relationship,” said Dr.
Anthony Fauci said of his friendship with the activist. Credit...Todd Heisler/The
New York Times
By Donald G. McNeil Jr.
•May 27, 2020
•
o
o
o
o
o
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
861“How did I meet Larry? He called me a murderer and an incompetent idiot on the
front page of the San Francisco Examiner magazine.”
Speaking as he passed though a fever check on his way into the White House, Dr.
Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases, recalled some of his fondest memories of his friend Larry Kramer,
who died early Wednesday morning.
Nearly every anecdote in our brief interview had the same plot: the country’s
best-known AIDS activist publicly abusing the country’s best-known AIDS doctor
— and then privately apologizing afterward, saying he hadn’t meant it, that it was
just how to get things done.
“It was an extraordinary 33-year relationship,” Dr. Fauci said. “We loved each
other. We would have dinner. I would go see him in the West Village, he would
come down to Washington.
“But even recently, when he got pissed at me about something, he said to some
paper, ‘Fauci’s gone over to the dark side again.’ I called him up and said, ‘Larry?
What the….’ And he’d say, ‘Oh, I didn’t really mean it. I just wanted to get some
attention.’”
Nobody stirred up attention for a cause quite like Mr. Kramer did.
An open letter to the San Francisco Examiner in 1988, Dr. Fauci said, was the
first time he’d heard of Mr. Kramer, a playwright who had founded two activist
groups: the Gay Men’s Health Crisis; and Act Up, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash
Power.
Addressing Dr. Fauci in the letter, Mr. Kramer wrote: “Your refusal to hear the
screams of AIDS activists early in the crisis resulted in the deaths of thousands of
Queers. Your present inaction is causing today’s increase in HIV infection outside
of the Queer community.”
“I thought, ‘This guy, I need to reach out to him,’” Dr. Fauci recalled. “So I did,
and we started talking. We realized we had things in common.”
Mr. Kramer’s name-calling wasn’t personal, Dr. Fauci explained.
“I was the face of the federal government. I was the one out there trying to warn
the public, and he was, too. That was his way of saying, ‘Hello? Wake up!’ That
was his style. He was iconoclastic, he was theatrical — he wanted to make his
point.”
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
863In 2001, with Mr. Kramer suffering from both hepatitis B and side effects of his
H.I.V. medication — he had the disease for at least six years before effective
triple-drug cocktails became standard practice — Dr. Fauci became his doctor.
Mr. Kramer had told him he was not doing well, and doctors were baffled.
“I said, ‘Come to the N.I.H. We’ll work you up.’” Dr. Fauci recalled. “He was really
at death’s door. We realized he needed a liver transplant.”
Mr. Kramer went on a transplant list. But there was a public debate over whether
he should get a scarce donor organ, because patients with H.I.V. had long been
considered less likely to survive, despite the introduction of effective medications.
And at 66, Mr. Kramer was older than a typical transplant candidate.
Nonetheless, he got a new liver that December at the University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center.
That not only set a precedent for H.I.V. patients and older patients, but also
abruptly reversed the decline in Mr. Kramer’s health.
“He really bounced back,” Dr. Fauci said. “It gave him multiple more years of
life.”
The relationship between the two men played out in Mr. Kramer’s literary works
as well as in his political activism.
Mr. Kramer’s autobiographical play in 1992, “The Destiny of Me ,” includes a
character based on Dr. Fauci.
“He’s named Anthony Della Vida — Tony Of Life,” Dr. Fauci said. “He told me he
wanted the actor who was playing me to come down to Bethesda and go on
hospital rounds with me and learn my mannerisms.
“He made the character a mix of goodness and rigidity. To him, that’s the federal
government — rigid.”
“On opening night, he invited my wife and me, and he’s so sensitive about our
friendship,” Dr. Fauci added. “I was standing around at the reception afterward
with all these activists — Peter Staley, Gregg Gonsalves, Mark Harrington — and
he comes up to me sheepishly and says, ‘Do you hate me?’”
“I said, ‘What, Larry, it was a good play.’”
“He said, ‘Well, I was a little hard on you.’”
“I said, ‘Larry, you’re always doing that to me, anyway!’”
The Life of Larry Kramer
…………………………………………………………………………………..
White House Comms back to blocking me. They even balked at my doing press
associated with Larry Kramer’s death……..really????
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
864Kayleigh McEnany coming out at her own orivate press conference saying thsat HC
actually benefits patients, particular early patients. POTUS doubling down on his use of
HC. Crazy Peter Navarro stops me in the EEOB office where we get our COVID tests
and tells me that what I am saying about HC is actually causing many deaths (amazing
asshole!!!). It seems that my comments on CNN on Wednesday has really stirred up
the White House. They definitiely do not want me out there on the air.
Mike Caputo wants to have a “meal” with me to talk.
We will wait to see what the RCTs show about HC. The observational studies show no
benefit and some significant risk. I asked Andrea Lerner to review literature on HC for
me.
PRESS: BBC World Service NewsHour; Instagram interview with Sen. Tim Scott
(R-SC); LA Times video interview; WYNC Radio with Amy Walter on Larry
Kramer; STAT interview with Helen Branswell on vaccines;
May 29, 2020 – Global – 5,600,000/354,000; USA – 1,700,000/102,000
Had major