Dr. Anthony Fauci maintained a close behind-the-scenes relationship with CNN anchor Jake Tapper during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to diary entries made public over the weekend by Sen. Rand Paul.
The Kentucky Republican released the documents as part of his investigation into Fauci and the origins of the pandemic. The entries, written by Fauci himself, reveal regular communication between the former White House chief medical adviser and the CNN host that went well beyond typical journalist-source interactions.
Initial Contact and Damage Control
The relationship appears in Fauci’s diaries as early as April 2020, when an interview with Tapper created controversy. During a CNN appearance on April 13, 2020, Tapper pressed Fauci on whether earlier closures would have saved lives. Fauci acknowledged that closing down earlier “obviously” would have saved lives, though he said the decision was complicated.
The New York Times subsequently reported on the answer in a way that suggested Fauci was blaming President Donald Trump for additional deaths. According to Fauci’s diary, the far right began calling for his firing, and Trump retweeted one such message.
“I could have answered the question better and with more clarity, but the Times is now saying that I was implying that the POTUS was to blame for additional deaths according to me,” Fauci wrote.
After explaining his position at a press briefing, Fauci noted that Tapper called him directly. “Phone call with Jake Tapper. Jake wanted to make sure the interview did not cause me any problems,” he wrote.
Strategic Communications
The diary entries show the relationship evolved into one where Tapper and Fauci exchanged commentary on other officials and shared strategic information. In late April 2020, after Dr. Deborah Birx appeared on CNN and declined to criticize Trump’s controversial comments about disinfectants, Tapper texted Fauci his assessment.
“Jake wrote me a text afterwards and said: ‘Birx has lost her way I fear. She has chosen to focus on defending the president and attacking the press. Odd,'” Fauci recorded.
When Fauci himself avoided Sunday show appearances that week, he noted approvingly how Tapper had treated him in his coverage. “Jake Tapper did a segment last night on the inadequate response of the Trump administration to the pandemic. I came out relatively well,” he wrote on May 4, 2020.
By late July, the relationship had progressed to the point where Fauci was feeding questions to Tapper ahead of interviews with other administration officials. “I gave Jake some questions to ask him,” Fauci wrote after Brett Giroir appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union.” He described Giroir as “talking bullsh*t about testing.”
That same day, Fauci noted that Tapper called him “furius at POTUS for tweeting about the fact that Jake severly questioned Brett Giroir.” According to the diary, “Jake was really pissed at the craziness of it all.”
Personal Friendship Develops
The professional relationship expanded into a personal friendship, with Fauci and Tapper sharing family dinners even as the doctor was publicly urging Americans to limit social gatherings. On July 1, 2020, Fauci wrote: “Had dinner over Jake Tapper and Jen Tapper’s home in DC. Terrific couple. Friendship building.”
By fall 2020, as many Americans were preparing to celebrate holidays remotely via Zoom, Fauci hosted the Tappers at his own home. “Had dinner at my home with Jake and Jennifer Tapper. Relaxed, good time,” he wrote, adding, “Jake clearly believes that Trump is totally nuts.”
Media Criticism and Coordination
The diary entries also show Tapper reaching out to defend Fauci and criticize his media critics. After Fauci appeared on Fox News with Laura Ingraham, Tapper texted to mock the host, expressing surprise that she had graduated from Dartmouth, according to screenshots shared by journalists reviewing the documents.
When Katie Miller, a spokesperson for Vice President Mike Pence, tested positive for COVID-19 and Fauci was potentially exposed, Tapper called to check on him. Fauci explained his plan for “modified quarantine” in detail, noting he would get tested daily, wear a mask continuously, and limit his interactions.
In that same entry, Fauci criticized Marc Short, then Pence’s chief of staff, for not taking adequate precautions despite closer contact with Miller. “Marc Short (whom I resally like) practically sits on Katie’s lap and he is vey close to the VP. Yet he is not even wearing a mask. He actually should be self-quarantining,” Fauci wrote.
Questions About Journalistic Independence
The revelations raise questions about the independence of pandemic coverage on CNN and the appropriateness of such close coordination between a government official and a journalist tasked with covering him. Throughout the pandemic, Tapper interviewed Fauci numerous times, with those interviews often making news and shaping public understanding of the government’s pandemic response.
The diary entries were released by Sen. Paul as part of his ongoing investigation into the pandemic response and Fauci’s role in it. Paul has been a persistent critic of Fauci, particularly regarding questions about the origins of COVID-19 and potential links to research funded by U.S. agencies.
Neither Fauci nor Tapper had publicly commented on the diary entries at the time of the documents’ release. CNN also had not issued a statement regarding the nature of Tapper’s relationship with Fauci during his extensive pandemic coverage.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/inside-faucis-behind-the-scenes-bromance-with-jake-tapper