The Daily ‘The Skunk at the Picnic’: Dr. Anthony Fauci on Working for Trump
Jan 26, 2021
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, shares his challenging experiences advising President Trump during the pandemic. He discusses the intense political pressures he faced while trying to uphold scientific integrity. Candidly, Fauci reveals the personal toll of working in such a fraught environment, including threats and the gravity of a suspicious powder incident. He contrasts this with the freedom to express scientific truths under the Biden administration, highlighting the complex dynamics of truth vs. politics in crisis management.
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Downplaying and Anecdotal Advice
- Early in the pandemic, Dr. Fauci noticed President Trump's tendency to downplay the severity of the situation.
- Trump often consulted individuals offering anecdotal medical advice, disregarding scientific evidence.
Unscientific Advice
- President Trump frequently received medical advice from outside sources, often promoting unproven treatments.
- Dr. Fauci felt this disregarded established scientific processes, leading to anxiety.
Public Disagreement
- Dr. Fauci publicly contradicted Trump's statements about the pandemic.
- Some White House staff were surprised by this open disagreement.