Tensions between Anthony Fauci and President Trump are increasing after the nation’s top infectious disease expert asked the Trump campaign to take down a new ad that features comments of his that he says were taken out of context.
The ad, released last week shortly after the president was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, touts the president’s response to the virus and includes an edited clip of Fauci that makes it seem as though he was praising Trump’s response to the pandemic.
In the 30-second spot, Fauci is heard saying, “I can’t imagine that anybody could be doing more.”
Fauci this week said his remarks, taken from a March interview, were in reference to fellow members of the White House coronavirus task force and other public health officials.
“In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate. The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials,” Fauci said in a statement Sunday.
During an interview with CNN’sJake Tapper the following day, Fauci said he thinks the campaign should take down the ad.
“I think it’s really unfortunate and really disappointing that they did that,” Fauci said.
“It is so clear that I’m not a political person. And I have never either directly or indirectly endorsed the political candidate, and to take a completely out of context statement and put it in … a political campaign ad, I thought was really very disappointing,” Fauci said.
……..
Fauci’s comments, however, mark the second time in as many weeks that he has publicly distanced himself from Trump.
During the first presidential debate, on Sept. 29, Trump suggested that his health officials have changed their minds about the benefits of masks during the pandemic, noting that the CDC has not always recommended the use of face coverings.
“Dr. Fauci said the opposite, he very strongly said masks aren’t good and then he changed his mind, he said masks are good,” Trump said.
Fauci said later that week that his stance on the benefits of face masks were “taken out of context,” and that the initial recommendation against widespread use of masks was because of a shortage for health providers.
He said scientists quickly changed their recommendations after realizing the extent to which asymptomatic spread was contributing to COVID-19 infections.
The Trump campaign’s use of Fauci’s remarks underscore how more than six months into the pandemic he is still viewed as a trusted source of information on the pandemic, in contrast to the president who has faced harsh criticism throughout.
……..
- Discussion
-
NEW: Fauci tensions with Trump escalate over campaign ad https://t.co/eGXdVdXuQ9 pic.twitter.com/I4yZUvFehP
— The Hill (@thehill) October 12, 2020
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.