- Fauci estimated the COVID-19 death rate to be much lower than what he told Congress, stating it was around 0.2-0.3% rather than the 2% he testified to in March 2020.
- Fauci criticized Trump in his diary, describing him as 'rambling' and 'crazy', and expressed concern over Trump's focus on ratings and publicity during the pandemic.
- Fauci noted that the press was 'going wild' with coverage about him, indicating a growing public profile amid the pandemic.
- Fauci's diary entries from early 2020 reflect his private thoughts on the pandemic and his interactions with Trump, revealing a stark contrast to public statements.
- Fauci's concerns about Trump's handling of the pandemic included fears that downplaying the virus could damage Trump's re-election chances.
Senator Rand Paul has unveiled Anthony Fauci's personal diaries from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, which reveal a stark contrast between Fauci's private assessments and public statements. In his diary, Fauci estimated the death rate to be around 0.2-0.3%, significantly lower than the 3% he cited in congressional testimony on March 11, 2020.12
Fauci noted, "I think if you count all the cases of minimally symptomatic or asymptomatic infection, that probably brings the mortality rate down to somewhere around one percent, which means it is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu." His diary entries also reflect his concerns about the Trump administration's handling of the pandemic, branding the president as "rambling, crazy, desperate, bumbling, incompetent, an idiot, a true embarrassment, totally nuts, and truly an obnoxious adolescent."5
In a February 27, 2020 entry, Fauci recounted a late-night call with Trump, discussing the virus's potential impact on the economy and the president's re-election chances. He advised Trump that downplaying the virus could damage his chances more than acknowledging its seriousness. By March 2021, Fauci expressed his dismay at Trump's behavior, comparing it to historical figures like Hitler.
Fauci's diaries provide a candid look at his thoughts during a tumultuous period, revealing the tension between scientific guidance and political pressures. His reflections highlight the challenges faced by public health officials in navigating the pandemic amidst a politically charged environment.
“Fauci's diary entries from early 2020 indicate he believed the COVID-19 mortality rate could be as low as 0.2-0.3%, contrasting sharply with his public testimony of around 3%. Additionally, he expressed frustration over Trump's handling of the pandemic and the media attention he received, feeling it overshadowed the president.”
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The Guardian
