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Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul released diary entries Saturday belonging to former White House COVID advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci that document his personal relationships with major television journalists and media figures. The entries, spanning 2020 and into 2021, detail Fauci’s interactions with prominent anchors from CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS as the coronavirus pandemic developed and dominated news coverage.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper emerged as Fauci’s most frequent media contact, appearing 41 times throughout the diary entries. Tapper’s interactions with Fauci ranged from texting the doctor to mock competing cable news hosts to calling him personally after television appearances to ensure no negative fallout had resulted.
In a July 2020 entry, Fauci wrote about dining at Tapper’s Washington residence with his wife Jennifer, describing the evening as a “terrific couple” occasion where “friendship building” occurred. That same month, Fauci documented that he “gave Jake some questions to ask” pediatrician Brett Giroir during a CNN “State of the Union” interview.
CNN anchor Dana Bash also maintained contact with Fauci, sending him a text message in April 2021 following a contentious House hearing. In the message, Bash praised Fauci and referenced comments from colleague Wolf Blitzer regarding Fauci’s congressional testimony.
Fauci’s diary also reflects communications with NBC’s Chuck Todd, ABC’s George Stephanopoulos and CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jonathan LaPook. In one entry, Fauci noted that he had prepared LaPook for a television appearance after receiving an email requesting guidance on vaccine-related topics.
NBC News, ABC News and CBS News declined immediate comment on the diary revelations when contacted by Fox News Digital. A CNN spokesman similarly declined to provide statements regarding the entries.
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