Dr. Anthony Fauci, formerly a COVID advisor at the White House, shared insights into his connections with media figures in diary entries. These entries, released by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul, feature Fauci’s role during the COVID-19 crisis through dialogues with President Donald Trump, governors, world leaders, and media personalities in 2020.
The diary showcases Fauci’s rapid bonding with liberal media members who were covering the pandemic. CNN anchor Jake Tapper is a standout, mentioned 41 times. Fauci recounts Tapper’s texts mocking rival cable news hosts and other doctors. One entry from April 13, 2020, notes Tapper’s follow-up after a contentious show segment. Fauci wrote, “Jake wanted to make sure the interview did not cause me any problems.”
Fauci expressed his developing friendship with Tapper in July 2020. “Had dinner over Jake Tapper and Jen Tapper’s home in DC. Terrific couple. Friendship building,” he noted. Later, Fauci mentioned giving Tapper questions to ask pediatrician Brett Giroir on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Following this, Tapper expressed frustration over a tweet from Trump which led to Tapper waking Fauci to discuss it.
Fauci’s interactions weren’t limited to Tapper. Dana Bash from CNN showed support in April 2021 via a text after a tense House Select Subcommittee hearing. Fauci documented Bash’s text, “I just watched the whole Jordan thing. Again, you’re a better man than I ….”
Andrea Mitchell of NBC reached out to Fauci apologetically in July 2020 for not featuring him on her show, believing the White House limited his TV time. Fauci wrote, “Andrea Mitchell called my cell very apologetic about not being able to have me on the show.”
NBC’s Chuck Todd also communicated with Fauci via text. Todd sought Fauci’s opinion on an interview and offered advice on how to handle public defense against slander. Fauci included a conversation with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, who was impressed with Fauci’s dismissal of a tweet from Trump during a “Good Morning America” appearance.
Lastly, Fauci prepared CBS’s Dr. Jonathan LaPook for a TV interview, which was noted in an entry. Fauci mentioned, “Jon LaPook was interviewed on CBS Morning News and mentioned me several times.”
News outlets NBC, ABC, CBS, and CNN were contacted for comments regarding these diary revelations. However, they have not yet responded.
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