Leaked personal diary entries from former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci reveal his interactions with celebrities during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by significant American deaths. The diaries were published by Senator Rand Paul, a vocal critic of Fauci.
According to the published entries, Fauci documented his encounters and conversations with notable figures, including Barbra Streisand and Tyra Banks. In one instance, Fauci recounted a phone call with Streisand where he explained the mRNA vaccine and discussed Amazon's virtual assistant, Alexa. He described playing Streisand's music through the device, an experience she found amusing.
Fauci also reflected on his own rising public profile during the pandemic. In an April 2020 entry, he noted the intense media attention, stating, "Press still hot and heavy about me. Multiple stories per day directly or indirectly involving me." By May 2020, he described his national and international fame as "explosive and really unimaginable."
The diaries also indicate that Fauci was reportedly asked to participate in ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" in June 2020.
The release of the diaries occurs as Senator Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, has issued a subpoena for Fauci to testify before the committee. Paul stated that Fauci had initially agreed to testify but later notified the committee of his inability to do so. The subpoena is the latest development in a series of disagreements between the two figures.
Senator Paul has previously accused Fauci of being involved with funding a Chinese laboratory that may have been the origin of COVID-19, allegations Fauci has denied. Paul has also expressed concern that the statute of limitations for certain alleged misdeeds was nearing expiration. Separately, a former top aide to Fauci, David Morens, was indicted for allegedly concealing and altering evidence related to COVID-19 origins and was reported to have discussed methods for making emails disappear to avoid Freedom of Information Act requests.
Earlier this year, CIA agent James Erdman testified before Congress, alleging that Fauci "injected himself" into intelligence community discussions regarding the lab-leak theory of the pandemic's origin, suggesting that the intelligence community was close to concluding a Chinese lab was the source before Fauci's alleged intervention.
Fauci received a pardon from President Joe Biden at the end of his term, covering potential offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and the pardon date. Senator Paul has stated his intention to review the pardon and continue seeking accountability regarding the pandemic's origins and the actions of public officials.