Dr. Anthony Fauci revealed details about his connections with media figures in a series of diary entries, released on Saturday by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul. The entries highlight Fauci’s interactions and relationships with media during the COVID-19 response. They cover conversations with President Trump, governors, world leaders, media appearances, and his personal notices as the crisis unfolded in 2020.
The diary entries show Fauci’s quick camaraderie with some liberal media members covering the pandemic. Notably, CNN anchor Jake Tapper appeared 41 times in the diary. Tapper was noted for texting Fauci to jab at adversarial cable news hosts and other medical figures. Fauci noted that after an interview sparked Trump supporters’ ire, Tapper checked on him. On April 13, 2020, Fauci wrote, “Jake wanted to make sure the interview did not cause me any problems.” By July 2020, Fauci wrote about growing a friendship with Tapper, attending dinner at Tapper’s home, and implied giving him questions to pose to Brett Giroir during an interview on CNN’s ‘State of the Union.’
Tapper woke Fauci early one morning, furious over a tweet by Trump concerning Tapper’s tough questioning of Giroir. Despite the late call, Fauci described inviting Tapper to his home for dinner later that year, writing on October 23, 2020, that they had a “relaxed, good time” while Tapper shared his thoughts on Trump.
Other media figures appeared in Fauci’s diaries as well. CNN’s Dana Bash texted him appreciation for his composure after a confrontation with Rep. Jim Jordan during a House hearing. Bash reportedly echoed Wolf Blitzer’s sentiment about handling the situation aggressively. Meanwhile, Andrea Mitchell from NBC reached out to Fauci on July 4, 2020, admitting surprise at discovering that the White House limited Fauci’s TV presence, since she assumed earlier booking issues were to blame.
Fauci also corresponded with Chuck Todd from NBC. Fauci sought Todd’s counsel on handling public criticisms, aiming to avoid amplifying them. George Stephanopoulos from ABC complimented Fauci after dismissing a negative tweet by Trump in July 2020.
In another entry, Fauci mentioned aiding CBS’s Dr. Jonathan LaPook by preparing him for an interview on universal flu vaccines and HIV vaccines. The diary reveals the extent of Fauci’s media interactions and his active role in shaping public discourse during the pandemic.