Newly released diary entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former White House COVID-19 adviser, indicate a growing fixation on his personal fame during the early stages of the pandemic, a period marked by significant loss of life in the United States. The journals, released by Sen. Rand Paul, a frequent critic of Fauci's pandemic response, detail his reflections on his media presence and celebrity status.

By April 2020, when the U.S. death toll had surpassed 60,000, Fauci noted the intense media attention surrounding him. "Press still hot and heavy about me. Multiple stories per day directly or indirectly involving me," he wrote in an entry dated April 7, 2020. On May 21, 2020, as the number of American COVID-19 fatalities neared 98,000, Fauci described his "national and international fame is explosive and really unimaginable," adding that his global recognition was not hyperbole.

As the pandemic progressed, Fauci continued to document his celebrity. In late June 2020, with daily COVID-19 cases in the U.S. reaching a new high of 40,000, he mentioned receiving an invitation to appear on the television show "Dancing with the Stars."

IMAGE1

The diary entries also touch upon Fauci's evolving relationship with the Trump White House. He wrote that numerous media profiles and his increased visibility were positioning him as a "star that outshines" the president. He also noted a personal observation about his celebrity: Secret Service agents at White House gates would wave his vehicle through without inspection due to familiarity. Fauci later stated he had "no desire to conflict with, embarrass or show up the POTUS" and consequently stopped participating in profile interviews.

Sen. Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee, has been a vocal opponent of Fauci and his role in the federal COVID-19 response and discussions surrounding the virus's origins. Paul's office released the diary entries shortly before Fauci was scheduled to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, following a subpoena from the senator.

Paul argued that the diary entries demonstrate a public health official prioritizing celebrity and public image over national emergency concerns. "Anthony Fauci will answer to the American people," Paul stated on June 28, accusing federal health leadership of focusing on self-promotion and misdirecting scrutiny in the pandemic's initial months.

Peter Navarro, a senior adviser to former President Trump, has characterized Fauci as "the Dr. Frankenstein of the modern era," asserting that "the blood of millions of people" is on his hands. Navarro made these remarks in a June 25 interview with Fox Business, urging Fauci to "come clean."

Fauci did not respond to requests for comment regarding the diary entries.