Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, reportedly clashed recently with White House trade official Peter Navarro over the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and its use as a possible treatment for COVID-19.
During a meeting Saturday first reported by Axios, Navarro reportedly accused Fauci of opposing the administration’s temporary ban on travel from China after Fauci cautioned against the administration promoting the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat the coronavirus.
“You were the one who early on objected to the travel restrictions with China,” Navarro reportedly said to Fauci.
There’s no evidence Fauci has ever publicly criticized the administration’s approach to travel from China amid the outbreak, and on March 12, Fauci praised such a policy during a press briefing.
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An official who spoke to Axios said the incident involving Fauci and Navarro was unusual.
“There has never been a confrontation in the task force meetings like the one yesterday,” the source familiar with Fauci and Navarro’s dispute told Axios. “People speak up and there’s robust debate, but there’s never been a confrontation. Yesterday was the first confrontation.”
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Fauci, Navarro got into heated argument over unproven COVID-19 treatment: report https://t.co/WCq5RZvx4n pic.twitter.com/ncLg4mhOHX
— The Hill (@thehill) April 6, 2020
Just the thought of Peter Navarro shouting at Tony Fauci about anything — let alone a matter of infectious disease — is disturbing. It would be like me shouting at @YoYo_Ma on the proper way to hold a cello bow.
— Tony Fratto (@TonyFratto) April 5, 2020
If you’re looking for a likely reason why Trump blocked Dr. Fauci from giving his medical opinion on hydroxychloroquine, see this @jonathanvswan scoop about the big fight between Fauci and Trump acolyte Peter Navarro at yesterday’s task force meeting—> https://t.co/hlHFiqlp5g
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) April 6, 2020
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