Newly released diary entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci provide a personal look at his interactions with politicians, television personalities, and celebrities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The entries were released by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky., ahead of Fauci's scheduled testimony before the committee.
The diaries chronicle Fauci's day-to-day role through meetings, phone calls, and personal observations, featuring figures ranging from former President Donald Trump to actress Julia Roberts and NBA star Steph Curry.
Early entries depict a cooperative relationship between Fauci and Trump. According to the diaries, Trump frequently directed questions to Fauci during White House meetings, referred to him as "the smartest person in the world," and expressed reliance on him. The relationship appeared to evolve as Fauci's national profile grew.
Fauci's interactions with then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows reportedly deteriorated over time. Fauci wrote that Meadows threatened to restrict his television appearances and repeatedly urged him to alter his public messaging. One entry recounts Meadows "screaming" at Fauci over his public statements.
However, Fauci described then-White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah as an ally in navigating internal disputes over media appearances. An entry from May 2020 quotes Farah acknowledging that White House staff had been "holding me back" and promising to facilitate Fauci's television requests.
Fauci expressed a critical view of Michael Caputo, then Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services, calling him "a con man who is completely full of sh--." Fauci alleged that Caputo publicly supported his media appearances while privately obstructing them.
Television journalists were frequent figures in Fauci's diary. CNN anchor Jake Tapper is mentioned multiple times, with entries detailing phone calls, text exchanges, and dinners at Tapper's home. After a contentious exchange between Fauci and Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, CNN's Dana Bash reportedly texted Fauci, offering support and relaying a joke from Wolf Blitzer about the situation.
Beyond political figures, Fauci's diary also includes observations about notable individuals from the business and entertainment worlds. Billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison is described as "a bit of a loose cannon." Actress Julia Roberts engaged with Fauci on Instagram Live, sent him flowers, and presented him with an award. Other celebrities, including Vogue editor Anna Wintour, comedian Trevor Noah, Steph Curry, actors Sean Penn and Matt Damon, and rapper Lil Wayne, are also mentioned.
The diary concludes with an account of Fauci hugging Hunter Biden at the 2022 Kennedy Center Honors. Biden reportedly joked that their photo together would "explode" online due to shared criticism from the right wing of the political spectrum.