Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb has voiced disappointment over recently released diary entries belonging to former NIH Director Anthony Fauci. The entries, detailing Fauci's experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompted a robust discussion on CNBC where Gottlieb was questioned by host Joe Kernen.

Kernen directly addressed Gottlieb, a figure who has previously defended Fauci, about the former NIH director's diaries. Kernen suggested that Fauci orchestrated a "cover-up" of the lab origin theory for COVID-19 by encouraging colleagues to favor the natural origin hypothesis, especially given his past involvement with gain-of-function research in China.

While Gottlieb acknowledged that some released emails are "disappointing," he specifically cited evidence of Fauci attempting to suppress alternative opinions and indicated concern over Fauci's apparent enjoyment of media attention during the crisis. "I think a lot of us went to media out of a sense of obligation," Gottlieb stated. "It was a hard time for all of us. I know it was a hard time for you. I think a lot of us felt an obligation to inform the public. And it wasn’t particularly enjoyable. I mean, I got a lot of threats, others did as well, associated with that, and so to see those emails where he is evidencing some pleasure in the notoriety that he achieved, that’s disappointing."

Kernen characterized the situation as "outrageous" and questioned whether Fauci's reputation, diminished in his later years, would hold him accountable for his role during the pandemic.

Gottlieb commented that the Fauci depicted in the emails and diary entries did not align with the careful and thoughtful individual he had known over the years. The conversation also touched upon Fauci's relationship with the media, particularly CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who was mentioned frequently in the diaries.

According to the diary entries, Tapper texted Fauci to mock rival news hosts and other doctors. In one instance on April 13, 2020, Fauci wrote that Tapper wanted to ensure an interview did not cause him problems. Later, in July 2020, Fauci documented a dinner at Tapper's home, noting, "Terrific couple. Friendship building."

An entry later that month described Fauci providing Tapper with questions to ask pediatrician Brett Giroir during an interview on CNN's "State of the Union." However, Tapper later expressed frustration, reportedly waking Fauci early by phone to discuss President Trump's tweets regarding the interview. Fauci recorded Tapper's anger at "the craziness of it all."

Fauci has not yet responded to requests for comment on the diary entries.