{"id":2636099,"date":"2026-07-27T15:54:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T19:54:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/6-takeaways-on-faucis-private-covid-diaries-ahead-of-senate-hearing\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T16:00:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T20:00:47","slug":"6-takeaways-on-faucis-private-covid-diaries-ahead-of-senate-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/6-takeaways-on-faucis-private-covid-diaries-ahead-of-senate-hearing\/","title":{"rendered":"6 takeaways on Fauci&#8217;s private COVID diaries ahead of Senate hearing"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2F6-takeaways-on-faucis-private-covid-diaries-ahead-of-senate-hearing%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2636099&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Anthony Fauci\u2019s private writings from 2020 onward reveal a complex picture of a public health official focused on his rising fame while privately criticizing teh chaotic and rivalrous pandemic response. The 1,141-page leak, released ahead of FauciS scheduled Senate testimony, includes details about his self-promotion, concerns over government preparedness, and internal disagreements within the White house, notably with personnel like Deborah Birx and Alyssa Farah Griffin. Fauci tracked his media presence enthusiastically,described the management\u2019s lack of a coherent COVID-19 strategy early in the pandemic,and was worried about resigning due to potential repercussions.The diaries also confirm internal conflicts over Fauci&#8217;s media appearances and reveal his efforts to secure prestigious awards,including a nearly $900,000 prize approved by NIH ethics officials. Initially open to considering the lab-leak theory, Fauci privately discussed the possibility of a lab origin for COVID-19 but publicly maintained the natural spillover narrative for months. In later years, intelligence agencies aligned with the lab-leak hypothesis, contradicting earlier public statements. the documents highlight Fauci\u2019s concerns over internal divisions, his celebrity status, and the evolving understanding of COVID-19\u2019s origins, with upcoming congressional hearings to scrutinize his actions.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/anthony-fauci\/\">Anthony Fauci<\/a>\u2019s private writings from 2020 and beyond portray a public health official who was fixated on his growing celebrity while privately grappling with a pandemic response he believed was chaotic, leaderless, and consumed by internal rivalries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The writings of the nation\u2019s former leading medical voice during the COVID-19 pandemic are part of a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.paul.senate.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2026.07.24_Tonys-Diary-Package.pdf\">1,141-page release<\/a> published by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\">Senate<\/a> Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/rand-paul\/\">Rand Paul<\/a> (R-KY) last week ahead of Fauci\u2019s scheduled testimony on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4664470\/fauci-private-covid-diaries-takeaways-fame-prize-money-lab-leak-debate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Fauci\u2019s private COVID diaries: 6 takeaways on fame, prize money and the lab leak debate<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4662679\/ossoff-rfk-jr-another-letter-cyclosporiasis-monitoring-concerns-self-indulgent\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ossoff sends RFK Jr. another letter outlining concerns about cyclosporiasis monitoring funds<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4662630\/cdc-data-measles-rates-35-year-high-recent-outbreaks\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>CDC reveals measles rates hit 35-year high after recent outbreaks<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), left, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, right. (AP Photo\/Mariam Zuhaib and AP Photo\/Alex Brandon, File)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-image-caption=&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), left, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, right. (AP Photo\/Mariam Zuhaib and AP Photo\/Alex Brandon, File)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/image-collage-kqfde1v6x-1768338139172-e1768343681413<\/a>.jpg?1785166991&#038;w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), left, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, right. (AP Photo\/Mariam Zuhaib and AP Photo\/Alex Brandon, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paul, a longtime critic of Fauci, has characterized the documents as evidence that the former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director misled <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\">Congress<\/a> and placed personal interests above transparency. Fauci has previously rejected Paul\u2019s allegations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The committee separately released records concerning Fauci\u2019s awards and prize money. Those documents show federal ethics officials reviewing the awards, approving some payments, and prohibiting others. They do not contain a finding that Fauci violated ethics rules.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are six key takeaways.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-1-fauci-closely-tracked-his-public-image\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Fauci closely tracked his public image<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci\u2019s diary is part pandemic record and part personal press archive. Hundreds of entries list interviews, flattering articles, celebrity encounters, and awards.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On April 5, 2020, as <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/COVID-19\/\">COVID-19<\/a> cases and deaths climbed, Fauci noted a \u201cnice article\u201d in the <em>Washington Post<\/em> about his relationship with former White House Coronavirus Task Force coordinator Deborah Birx and a \u201cbeautiful profile of me\u201d from the BBC.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">President Donald Trump listens as White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx speaks during a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-democrats-axe-amendment-to-hold-taxpayer-dollars-from-shutdown-schools\/\" title=\"Senate Democrats Axe Amendment To Hold Taxpayer Dollars From Shutdown Schools\">coronavirus task force briefing<\/a> at the White House in Washington. Birx has emerged as one of the most important voices in the administration\u00e2\u0080\u0099s response to the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/ap20087729386873-scaled.jpg?w=696&#8243; height=&#8221;683&#8243; width=&#8221;1024&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Donald Trump listens as White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx speaks during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington. Birx has emerged as one of the most important voices in the administration in response to the coronavirus pandemic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next day, he described President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>\u2019s briefing as his \u201cusual rambling stream of consciousness show,\u201d then turned to his own publicity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIntense publicity about me continues with stories of grandmothers who have crushes on me,\u201d Fauci wrote. \u201cPetitions to vote me \u2018Sexiest Man Alive.\u2019 Major stories about my basketball career at Regis.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although a filmmaker was seeking access for a documentary, Fauci said he was reluctant because \u201cthe optics are bad,\u201d adding: \u201cMy main goal is to stop this outbreak.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elsewhere, Fauci called himself an \u201cinternational celebrity\u201d and described his fame as \u201cexplosive and really unimaginable.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-2-fauci-worried-the-administration-had-no-plan-early-into-pandemic\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Fauci worried the administration had \u201cno plan\u201d early into pandemic<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alongside the flattering coverage, Fauci recorded deep concern about the federal government\u2019s competence.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On April 6, 2020, he wrote that officials lacked a clear strategy for reopening the country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo one is really in charge or even knows what they are doing,\u201d Fauci wrote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He repeated the concern on April 7, writing, \u201cThere really is no plan and no one is really in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On April 15, Fauci wrote that he discussed resigning from the White House Coronavirus Task Force with his wife. The CDC and FEMA \u201chave no idea what they are doing,\u201d he wrote, while calling <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\">White House<\/a> briefings \u201ca total Shit Show with POTUS rambling.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci mentioned Trump \u201crambling\u201d at least 15 times across the years of diary entries that Paul made public.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci worried that resigning would cause \u201ca global explosion\u201d and make it appear to his \u201cmany admirers\u201d that he was \u201cdeserting the cause.\u201d He ultimately remained in his job.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-3-diary-confirms-white-house-officials-fought-over-his-television-appearances\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Diary confirms White House officials fought over his television appearances<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By June 20, 2020, Fauci believed his relationship with Trump was deteriorating, and simultaneously saw ex-White House aide <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/alyssa-farah-griffin\/\">Alyssa Farah Griffin<\/a> as his primary ally in the White House for landing media interviews.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe POTUS \u2026 probably hates me by now, even though he says that he \u2018loves me,\u2019\u201d Fauci wrote on June 20, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/131156\/tulsa-health-official-says-trump-rally-likely-contributed-to-surge-in-coronavirus-cases\/\">following media reports<\/a> that he and other health officials advised the president not to host a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma citing an influx of COVID-19 cases in the Sooner State.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center, Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Tulsa, Okla. | (Evan Vucci\/AP)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/trump-rally-ok.jpg?w=696&#8243; height=&#8221;591&#8243; width=&#8221;1024&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center, Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Tulsa, Okla. | (Evan Vucci\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also accused Birx of underplaying surges in 13 states that were \u201con fire\u201d and suggested he might need to \u201cblow the whistle on her\u201d over disagreements about clinical trials.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The entry documents the boiling point over divisions within the White House communications operation concerning the pandemic, and how desperately Fauci wanted to continue appearing in front of cameras.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Alyssa Farah Griffin attends the Disney network upfront at North Javits Center on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini\/Invision\/AP)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-image-caption=&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Alyssa Farah Griffin attends the Disney network upfront at North Javits Center on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini\/Invision\/AP)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/AP26169827175571-e1784745522216.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Alyssa Farah Griffin attends the Disney network upfront at North Javits Center on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini\/Invision\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cKayleigh McEnany essentially saying that I will not be out in the press,\u201d Fauci wrote. \u201cAlyssa Farah is the one hope in Comms since she clearly wants me out there,\u201d he said of the former White House aide, who now co-hosts <em>The View<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci described being \u201cconstantly pinged\u201d by journalists. After Trump suggested at the Tulsa rally that officials should \u201cslow down the testing,\u201d Fauci wrote that he answered reporters \u201con background or off the record.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-4-fauci-sought-nominations-for-major-awards\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Fauci sought nominations for major awards<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.paul.senate.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/7.24.2026_Fauci-Awards_FINAL_REDACTED.pdf\">separate committee release<\/a> shows Fauci approaching associates about nominating him for awards and offering to provide the materials.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2018, after Duke University researcher Barton Haynes nominated him for the Shaw Prize, Fauci proposed another.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere is another one that looks possible for me if you are willing to do it,\u201d Fauci wrote. \u201cAs usual, I will supply all of the material. It is the Dan David Prize.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci subsequently asked Haynes to pursue a Heinz Award nomination and suggested how to make the case.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haynes was a longtime collaborator whose Duke institute received substantial NIAID support. The records do not show Fauci offering funding or another benefit for a nomination, but Paul argues that the relationship raises conflict-of-interest questions.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-5-nih-helped-clear-a-nearly-900-000-payment-to-fauci\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. NIH helped clear a nearly $900,000 payment to Fauci<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The records show <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nih\/\">NIH<\/a> employees assembling award materials, contacting sponsors, and navigating federal ethics reviews.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then-NIH Principal Deputy Director Lawrence Tabak told Fauci his goal was \u201cto support you in the strongest possible way.\u201d Officials prohibited Fauci from accepting cash from awards sponsored by Vanderbilt University and Georgia Tech because both received NIAID funding.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But they approved the Dan David Prize after determining it qualified as a bona fide public-service award from a private foundation rather than a foreign government.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The award was valued at $1 million, with 10% designated for scholarships.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">An email released by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul shows NIH employees celebrating ethics approval of Dr. Anthony Fauci\u2019s Dan David Prize, with one writing, \u201cCongratulations\u2026.you\u2019re rich!\u201d (U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/Screenshot-2026-07-27-at-12.52.37-PM.png?w=696&#8243; height=&#8221;860&#8243; width=&#8221;1024&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An email released by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul shows NIH employees celebrating ethics approval of Dr. Anthony Fauci\u2019s Dan David Prize, with one writing, \u201cCongratulations\u2026.you\u2019re rich!\u201d (U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After its approval, one NIH employee wrote, \u201cAt last!!!!!!!\u201d Another said, \u201cCongratulations\u2026.you\u2019re rich!\u201d Fauci aide Greg Folkers said, \u201cI want my 15%.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Fauci aide Greg Folkers said, \u201cI want my 15%,\u201d after NIH approved Fauci\u2019s acceptance of the Dan David Prize, according to an email released by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul. (U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/Screenshot-2026-07-27-at-12.52.52-PM.png?w=696&#8243; height=&#8221;361&#8243; width=&#8221;1024&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fauci aide Greg Folkers said, \u201cI want my 15%,\u201d after NIH approved Fauci\u2019s acceptance of the Dan David Prize, according to an email released by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul. (U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci later corrected his financial disclosure: \u201cThe Dan David prize that was deposited in my bank account was $899,960.00, not $901,400.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-6-scientists-initially-treated-a-lab-leak-origin-seriously\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Scientists initially treated a lab leak origin seriously<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Jan. 31, 2020, Fauci recorded a call with scientists concerned about mutations in the virus, and at the time Fauci appeared more seriously open to the idea that the virus originated out of an NIH-funded lab in Wuhan, China, rather than by natural origin, according to the diary entries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe people on the phone felt that the mutations \u2026 could not have occurred naturally,\u201d Fauci wrote. \u201cThey raised the possibility of deliberate insertion followed by a laboratory release, with an accidental release considered more likely.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci recommended convening additional experts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following a call the next day, he wrote that two of the scientists believed the feature could have emerged naturally, while \u201cthe rest felt that deliberate insertion was possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In public, however, Fauci spent months insisting that the virus must have jumped from animals to humans and that it likely happened at a Wuhan wet market.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several scientists soon supported a natural origin, and Fauci later cited their analysis publicly. Previously released <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/comer.house.gov\/2022\/1\/comer-fauci-s-emails-raise-questions-of-lab-leak-cover-up\">emails<\/a> revealed Fauci privately had a hand in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4571612\/fauci-knew-the-lab-leak-cover-up-that-broke-america\/\">shaping the scientific paper<\/a> he would go on to cite as objective evidence of the natural origin theory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notably, Fauci recounted in his diary that in late July 2022, he had an \u201cinteresting\u201d conversation with Bret Baier, saying the <em>Fox News<\/em> anchor \u201cfinally admitted\u201d to him that the \u201clab leak theory really is not true\u201d after he read two recent scientific papers at the time.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Fauci wrote in a July 28, 2022, diary entry that Fox News anchor Bret Baier told him two recent scientific papers had convinced him \u201cthe lab leak theory is really not true.\u201d (U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/Screenshot-2026-07-27-at-1.02.25-PM.png?w=696&#8243; height=&#8221;810&#8243; width=&#8221;1024&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fauci wrote in a July 28, 2022, diary entry that Fox News anchor Bret Baier told him two recent scientific papers had convinced him \u201cthe lab leak theory is really not true.\u201d (U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In January 2025, years after the pandemic began, the CIA concluded that the virus <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/national-security\/3300820\/cia-admits-covid-19-most-likely-originated-from-chinese-lab-leak\/\">most likely originated from a Chinese laboratory<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4663534\/house-republicans-strongest-position-ever-100-days-midterms\/\">HOUSE REPUBLICANS \u2018IN THE STRONGEST POSITION\u2019 EVER 100 DAYS FROM MIDTERMS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That reassessment, based on a review of existing intelligence rather than new evidence, brought the CIA into alignment with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fbi\/\">FBI<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-energy\/\">Department of Energy<\/a>, which <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/covid-origin-china-lab-leak-807b7b0a\">had already established<\/a> a laboratory-related origin with \u201cmoderate confidence\u201d and \u201clow confidence\u201d assessments, respectively.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci is scheduled to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fauci\u2019s private 2020 writings reveal his focus on fame amid pandemic chaos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2636100,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-collage-kqfde1v6x-1768338139172-e1768343681413.jpg?1785166991&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4127,4434,48508],"class_list":["post-2636099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-covid","tag-fauci","tag-senate-hearing"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-collage-kqfde1v6x-1768338139172-e1768343681413.jpg?1785166991&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636099","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2636099"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636099\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2636103,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636099\/revisions\/2636103"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2636100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2636099"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2636099"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2636099"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}