Dr. Anthony Fauci is speaking candidly on everything from Donald Trump contracting coronavirus to why he has often been silenced over the last few months. During an expansive interview, the nation’s top infectious disease spoke with 60 Minutes special correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook:
JL: During this pandemic, has the White House been controlling when you can speak with the media?
AF: You know, I think you’d have to be honest and say yes. I certainly have not been allowed to go on many, many, many shows that have asked for me.
JL: One of the most trusted voices in America, and yet, you’re not there, you’re not allowed to talk with us. So, can you understand the frustration that maybe there’s been a restriction on the flow of information and on the transparency–
AF: You know, I think there has been a restriction, Jon, but– but it doesn’t, it– it– it isn’t consistent.
And here is the exchange on Trump’s bout with coronavirus:
JL: Were you surprised that President Trump got sick?
AF: Absolutely not. I was worried that he was going to get sick when I saw him in a completely precarious situation of crowded, no separation between people, and almost nobody wearing a mask. When I saw that on TV, I said, “Oh my goodness. Nothing good can come outta that, that’s gotta be a problem.” And then sure enough, it turned out to be a superspreader event.
Dr. Fauci also talked about the Trump campaign using what appeared “to be a glowing remark from Dr. Fauci on President Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.” Fauci said his words were taken out of context.
AF: I do not and nor will I ever, publicly endorse any political candidate. And here I am, they’re sticking me right in the middle of a campaign ad. Which I thought was outrageous. I was referring to something entirely different. I was referring to the grueling work of the task force that, “God, we were knocking ourselves out seven days a week. I don’t think we could have possibly have done any more than that.”
JL: Did the steam start to come out of your ears?
AF: No, it did, quite frankly. I got really ticked off.
Watch the full interview above.