{"id":2638583,"date":"2026-08-01T07:41:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T11:41:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fauci-pressed-pence-for-more-tv-appearances-as-fame-exploded\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T07:48:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T11:48:31","slug":"fauci-pressed-pence-for-more-tv-appearances-as-fame-exploded","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fauci-pressed-pence-for-more-tv-appearances-as-fame-exploded\/","title":{"rendered":"Fauci pressed Pence for more TV appearances as fame exploded"},"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\">20<\/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%2Ffauci-pressed-pence-for-more-tv-appearances-as-fame-exploded%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=2638583&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>Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing rather than answer questions about his conduct during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the release of a detailed 1,141-page private diary. The diary reveals Fauci&#8217;s extensive focus on media appearances, celebrity, and his frustration with White House aides who restricted his TV access. It also criticizes his critics, especially the &#8220;far right,&#8221; whom he privately demonized, and details his efforts to secure more media presence, often lobbying Vice President Pence and White House communication officials. Fauci&#8217;s diary shows he sought to balance scientific messaging with personal fame, cataloging numerous media engagements and praising his public image. It also highlights his perception of being under attack by political opponents and his reliance on allies like alyssa Farah Griffin to navigate media red tape. Despite his public denial of being muzzled, the diary indicates he felt increasingly isolated and politically targeted, viewing critics as threats to his legacy. The revelations come as Fauci faces contempt charges for refusing to answer Congress, illustrating the deep tensions between him, political figures, and media during the pandemic.  <\/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\">Dr. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/anthony-fauci\/\">Anthony Fauci<\/a> invoked the Fifth Amendment rather than answer senators\u2019 questions this week about his conduct during the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/COVID-19\/\">COVID-19<\/a> pandemic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2026.07.24_Tonys-Diary-Package.pdf\">1,141-page<\/a> private diary released before that hearing, the former top infectious disease official had plenty to say about the press, his celebrity, his enemies on the \u201cfar right,\u201d and his frustration with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/white-house\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/white-house\/\">White House<\/a> aides who would not put him on television.<\/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\/4671177\/anthony-fauci-covid-19-diary-tv-appearances-mike-pence\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Fauci repeatedly pressed Pence and Trump aides for more TV appearances as fame exploded, diary shows<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4671641\/fauci-diary-idiot-rand-paul-each-others-throats-years\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Fauci\u2019s diary displays how he and \u2018idiot\u2019 Rand Paul have been at each other\u2019s throats for years<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4671224\/trump-presses-rfk-jr-vaccine-autism-work\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump presses RFK Jr. for more autism research during Cabinet meeting<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The diary, released by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/rand-paul\/\">Rand Paul<\/a> (R-KY), lays bare a central tension inside President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> COVID-19 response. Fauci campaigned for more airtime as his national fame exploded, and made repeated efforts to lean on then-Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-pence\/\">Mike Pence<\/a> and a handful of trusted Trump administration officials to get him booked on major television shows.<\/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<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Former National Institutes of Health Director Anthony Fauci is sworn in during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on July 29, 2026, in Washington. (Graeme Jennings\/Washington Examiner)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/072926_WEX_ANTHONY_FAUCI-1-e1785341561390.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Former National Institutes of Health Director Anthony Fauci is sworn in during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on July 29, 2026, in Washington. (Graeme Jennings\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> review found the word \u201cpress\u201d appears nearly 1,400 times in the 1,141-page diary package, including in Fauci\u2019s entries, media clippings, and interview lists. Variations of \u201cconspiracy\u201d appear more than 40 times. The phrases \u201cfar right\u201d and \u201cfar-right\u201d appear at least 57 times, revealing that Fauci was privately demonizing his critics while purporting to be a neutral figure.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The disclosures take on added relevance after Fauci declined to answer questions throughout Wednesday\u2019s Senate hearing, citing the Fifth Amendment despite former President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\">Joe Biden\u2019s<\/a> blanket pardon. Paul said afterward that the committee would move toward a contempt vote next week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During one exchange at the hearing, Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/josh-hawley\/\">Josh Hawley<\/a> (R-MO) ridiculed Fauci for answering lifestyle magazine questions during the pandemic while now declining to answer\u00a0Congress. Hawley specifically highlighted Fauci\u2019s 2020 <em>InStyle<\/em> interview and accused him of pursuing celebrity, cash awards, and power.<\/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<h2 id=\"h-diary-logs-reinforce-hawley-s-line-of-criticism\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diary logs reinforce Hawley\u2019s line of criticism<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On July 16, 2020, Fauci wrote that then-White House chief of staff <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mark-meadows\/\">Mark Meadows<\/a> complained that the health official needed to \u201cback off with media\u201d because the pandemic response could not become a \u201cTony Fauci show.\u201d Fauci added that Meadows \u201cdid not like the fact that I did an <em>InStyle<\/em> piece and did not want any more profiles of me.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., left, next to Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., speaks as Dr. Anthony Fauci appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Allison Robbert)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/AP26210532558776.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), left, next to Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), speaks as Dr. Anthony Fauci appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (Allison Robbert\/AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The entry was made as COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths were climbing nationwide.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci\u2019s diary chronicles scientific and messaging disputes with the Trump administration, while documenting a running tally of television appearances, flattering profiles, celebrity interactions, public acclaim, and grievances against those he believed were limiting the reach of his platform.<\/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\">Despite his complaints about lacking access to the media, the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>counted approximately 600 separate press logs documenting at least 2,000 news media engagements, including television interviews, radio hits, podcasts, print interviews, and White House press conferences.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-fauci-appealed-to-pence-to-help-restore-his-television-access\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fauci appealed to Pence to help restore his television access<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In late February 2020, after Pence took control of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Fauci wrote that officials had suspended media commitments for public health officials while reviewing communications strategy. Fauci had already agreed to several television appearances, causing some online supporters to rush to his defense.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He described the public backlash to the cancellation of his interviews as an \u201camazing twitter storm,\u201d writing that supporters were demanding that officials not suppress the \u201cgreat Fauci\u201d and that there was even a \u201c#freeFauci\u201d campaign.<\/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<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">A February 2020 diary entry by Anthony Fauci describes an \u201camazing twitter storm\u201d and the \u201c#freeFauci\u201d campaign after Vice President Mike Pence\u2019s office paused his media appearances. (U.S. Senate)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/Screenshot-2026-07-31-at-3.38.00-PM.png?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A February 2020 diary entry by Dr. Anthony Fauci describes an \u201camazing twitter storm\u201d and the \u201c#freeFauci\u201d campaign after Vice President Mike Pence\u2019s office paused his media appearances. (U.S. Senate)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci publicly denied he was being muzzled. Privately, the fight over television bookings became a recurring source of resentment Fauci harbored toward other members of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"339\">Trump administration<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In May 2020, Fauci wrote that he told Pence he had gone from doing two TV hits per day to one or two per week, with no Sunday-show appearances. Pence, Fauci recorded, appeared surprised and said he would raise the issue with then-White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, walks to the podium past Vice President Mike Pence to speak about the coronavirus in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, April 13, 2020, in Washington. | (Alex Brandon\/AP)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/fauci-pence.jpg?w=696&#8243; height=&#8221;591&#8243; width=&#8221;1024&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, walks to the podium past Vice President Mike Pence to speak about the coronavirus in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, April 13, 2020, in Washington. (Alex Brandon\/AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A few days later, Fauci wrote that Pence called him \u201cthe most visible and trusted asset in the country.\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\">Fauci described Pence as a \u201cgood guy\u201d and concluded the vice president was trying to \u201cprotect and shield\u201d him as Trump\u2019s frustration with Fauci grew.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By June, Fauci was going directly to Pence\u2019s office to make his case for getting more screen time. On June 29, as new cases neared 50,000 per day, Fauci wrote that he told Pence, \u201cI am being blocked from TV and I needed to get on TV to give the \u2018risk reduction\u2019 message.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci wrote that he assured Pence he would not let interviewers pit him against Trump. Pence, according to Fauci\u2019s account, promised he would get him on TV because he liked his message.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">A June 29, 2020, entry in Anthony Fauci\u2019s private COVID-19 diary describes his appeal to Vice President Mike Pence to let him return to television as cases surged. (U.S. Senate)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/Screenshot-2026-07-31-at-3.19.45-PM.png?w=612&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A June 29, 2020, entry in Dr. Anthony Fauci\u2019s private COVID-19 diary describes his appeal to Vice President Mike Pence to let him return to television as cases surged. (U.S. Senate)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFirst time anyone ever spoke that way to VP,\u201d Fauci wrote. \u201cHe truly likes me a lot (and vice versa).\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The former vice president eventually offered a much harsher assessment of Fauci\u2019s pandemic role. In a November 2022 <em>Meet the Press<\/em> appearance, Pence said Fauci \u201cultimately aligned himself with many Democratic governors\u201d who extended what were supposed to be temporary COVID-19 policies. Fauci pushed back at the time, saying he did not align himself with anybody.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-fauci-used-alyssa-farah-griffin-to-cut-through-red-tape\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fauci used Alyssa Farah Griffin to cut through red tape<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci\u2019s diary shows he also relied on then-Trump White House communications aide <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/alyssa-farah-griffin\/\">Alyssa Farah Griffin<\/a> as an internal ally in his push for TV bookings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In May 2020, Fauci wrote that Farah Griffin acknowledged he was being held back and agreed to a new process for scheduling his appearances. Print interviews and podcasts, Fauci wrote, would not require clearance, while major television requests would go directly to Farah Griffin.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">White House communications director Alyssa Farah talks to reporters outside the White House, Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Evan Vucci)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Alyssa-Farah-Griffin.webp?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">White House communications director Alyssa Farah talks to reporters outside the White House, Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, in Washington. (Evan Vucci\/AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fauci called her \u201cterrific\u201d and wrote that she trusted him to \u201chandle anything.\u201d The next month, he called Farah Griffin \u201cthe one hope in Comms\u201d because she wanted him \u201cout there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He continued to lobby reporters and producers, too. When Fox News host Chris Wallace called in June and said he had been trying to book him for weeks, Fauci wrote that he told Wallace to \u201ckeep trying and maybe he will get it.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">A diary entry by Anthony Fauci recounts Fox News anchor Chris Wallace seeking to book him as the Trump White House weighed keeping him off television. (U.S. Senate)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/Screenshot-2026-07-31-at-3.34.32-PM.png?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A diary entry by Dr. Anthony Fauci recounts Fox News anchor Chris Wallace seeking to book him as the Trump White House weighed keeping him off television. (U.S. Senate)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By early July 2020, Fauci wrote that the White House was refusing his requests to appear on major television programs before the Fourth of July weekend. He emailed then-Health and Human Services communications official Michael Caputo, copying Farah Griffin, to argue that public health officials needed airtime to deliver a \u201cpotentially life-saving message.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYet every single one of these requests of late, which we re-submit every day, has been ignored or denied,\u201d Fauci wrote. \u201cWe are missing an opportunity to save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-fauci-reveled-in-his-fame-and-meticulously-cataloged-personal-mementos\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fauci reveled in his fame and meticulously cataloged personal mementos<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In March 2020, Fauci wrote that \u201cthe public adulation of me has been amazing,\u201d describing White House staff members who congratulated him on a <em>Politico<\/em> profile, thanked him, and asked for selfies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He later called himself an \u201cinternational celebrity\u201d and described his fame as \u201cexplosive and really unimaginable.\u201d In another entry, Fauci wrote that it was \u201cnot hyperbole\u201d that he was among the country\u2019s most famous and talked-about people.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He cataloged petitions to name him <em>People<\/em> magazine\u2019s \u201cSexiest Man Alive,\u201d Fauci-themed video games, restaurant dishes, T-shirts, mugs, prayer candles, socks, pillows, doughnuts, beer, and bobbleheads. He saved coverage of a Fauci bobblehead fundraiser and wrote that the \u201cFauci cult\u201d had become \u201ccomplete craziness.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He wrote about a message from Barbra Streisand, a call from Dionne Warwick, a gift from Julia Roberts, and a lengthy account of Roberts presenting him with an award. After Roberts said she became nervous whenever she saw him, Fauci described her as \u201ccharming, natural, fun and amazingly beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-fauci-felt-tormented-by-far-right-critics-and-sought-andrew-cuomo-s-counsel\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fauci felt tormented by \u2018far-right\u2019 critics and sought Andrew Cuomo\u2019s counsel<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The diary also shows Fauci viewing conservative critics through an intensely personal lens.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On April 18, 2020, amid mounting pressure to reopen the country, Fauci wrote: \u201cFar right agitating to get back to work. Much agitation!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three months later, Fauci wrote that then-New York Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/andrew-cuomo\/\">Andrew Cuomo<\/a> called to ask how he was doing. Fauci told Cuomo that he was \u201cupset that the far right was trying to discredit me.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\">FILE \u2013 New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo attends a ceremony at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Aug. 3, 2020 at the World Trade Center in New York. (AP Photo\/Mark Lennihan, File)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/AP25274752209686.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) attends a ceremony at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Aug. 3, 2020, at the World Trade Center in New York. (Mark Lennihan\/AP Photo, file)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cuomo, Fauci wrote, strongly suggested that he resign. Fauci said Cuomo warned that he would lose credibility if he stayed, urged him to protect his legacy, and offered to help him secure a lucrative private-sector role. Fauci declined.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The entry is revealing because it shows how Fauci\u2019s concerns about public health, press access, political warfare, and personal legacy had become intertwined. Critics were not merely challenging his guidance. In Fauci\u2019s telling, they were trying to destroy him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That fixation remained visible long after Trump\u2019s first term ended.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In August 2022, Fauci wrote that he received a prolonged standing ovation from 45,000 people at a Seattle Mariners game. He complained that a <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> YouTube video had highlighted what he characterized as a smaller group of attendees who booed him and called for him to go to jail.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is so exemplary of the distortion of reality by the far right,\u201d Fauci wrote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4669809\/fauci-diary-details-outrage-far-right-softness-toward-biden-china\/\">FAUCI\u2019S DIARY DETAILS BLOOMING OUTRAGE TOWARD \u2018FAR RIGHT\u2019 AND SOFTNESS TOWARD BIDEN AND CHINA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet, it is also telling that Fauci, who was once so interested in tracking not only the virus but applause and cameras, would opt to invoke his Fifth Amendment right when he was called to testify this week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI really did want to hear from Dr. Fauci,\u201d said Paul, who added that \u201cFauci isn\u2019t liable for anything as long as he tells the truth.\u201d Paul said he believes it is less likely a contempt vote would pass on the full Senate floor, which needs 60 votes, and said he believes \u201cit can pass out of committee\u201d with a full legal brief sent to the Justice Department, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KarluskaP\/status\/2082817963502055698\">according<\/a> to an interview with Fox News this week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fauci\u2019s diary reveals media, fame, and political tensions<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2638584,"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\/07\/FauciPence.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4434,4500,42677],"class_list":["post-2638583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-fauci","tag-pence","tag-tv-appearances"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/FauciPence.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2638583","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=2638583"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2638583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2638586,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2638583\/revisions\/2638586"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2638584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2638583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2638583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2638583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}