BS BRIEF:
- More than 1,000 pages of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s COVID-era diary entries, released by Sen. Rand Paul ahead of a scheduled Senate hearing, reveal extensive behind-the-scenes interactions with prominent television journalists, political figures and public health officials.
- Among the entries are descriptions of friendships with CNN’s Jake Tapper, text exchanges with Dana Bash, conversations with Chuck Todd and Andrea Mitchell, and notes indicating Fauci suggested interview questions to Tapper before one CNN appearance.
- The diary release is fueling renewed debate over whether journalists covering America’s top COVID adviser maintained sufficient independence during one of the most consequential public health crises in modern history.
FAUCI’S PRIVATE DIARY REIGNITES DEBATE OVER COZY MEDIA RELATIONSHIPS DURING COVID
WASHINGTON — Newly released journal entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci are offering an unusually personal look inside the pandemic years—and they’re raising fresh questions about the relationship between America’s most influential public health official and many of the journalists covering him.
The more than 1,000 pages of diary entries were released by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul ahead of Fauci’s scheduled appearance before the committee later this week as lawmakers continue examining the government’s COVID-19 response and the origins of the virus.
While the journals cover everything from White House meetings to international calls and the evolving pandemic response, some of the most talked-about passages involve Fauci’s relationships with high-profile television anchors.
Among the entries drawing the most attention is one involving CNN anchor Jake Tapper.
According to Fauci’s diary, before an interview with then-Assistant Health Secretary Adm. Brett Giroir, Fauci wrote:
“I gave Jake some questions to ask.”
Another entry describes Tapper calling Fauci late at night after then-President Trump criticized the CNN interview.
“Jake was really pissed at the craziness of it all.”
The journals also describe social dinners between the Fauci and Tapper families.
After one gathering, Fauci wrote:
“Terrific couple. Friendship building.”
Following another dinner months later, Fauci recorded:
“Jake clearly believes that Trump is totally nuts.”
The diaries also describe other prominent media personalities reaching out privately. Following a contentious congressional hearing with Rep. Jim Jordan, Fauci recorded a supportive text message from CNN’s Dana Bash. According to the diary, Bash wrote:
“You’re a better man than I…”
Fauci also recounted NBC’s Andrea Mitchell apologizing when she couldn’t book him for an appearance because governors had already committed to the program. Meanwhile, he described asking NBC’s Chuck Todd for strategic advice about whether he should publicly defend himself against mounting criticism.
ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos also appears in the journals, with Fauci recording a message praising one of his television appearances. Elsewhere, Fauci noted that he had helped CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jonathan LaPook prepare for an interview discussing vaccines.
The diary release has generated attention for reasons beyond Fauci’s media relationships. Other entries reveal his frustration with President Donald Trump, his thoughts on the lab-leak debate, his growing celebrity status and his efforts to navigate internal disagreements inside the White House during the pandemic.
Fauci has not publicly commented on the release of the journals. The White House also declined immediate comment following publication of the diary entries.
The diary release comes just days before Fauci is scheduled to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Sen. Paul has said he intends to question Fauci about the government’s pandemic response, COVID-19 origins, federal research funding and statements Fauci made during previous congressional testimony.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Fox News — Fauci’s diary shows he fed questions to journalists, built friendships with media figures
- CBS News — Fauci diaries, released by Sen. Rand Paul, touch on COVID origins and tense relationship with Trump
- The Washington Post — Fauci’s diary released, revealing his thoughts on fame and ‘rambling’ Trump
- The Wall Street Journal — Key Takeaways From Anthony Fauci’s Covid-Era Journals
- New York Post — Anthony Fauci admits in diary to COVID talks with indicted adviser he once disavowed
