Fauci’s Diaries Reveal Criticism of Trump and Controversial Moments

Dr. Anthony Fauci’s private diary entries from January 2019 show he believed President Donald Trump “should be impeached.” These entries were released by Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, marking the first public appearance of Fauci expressing such an opinion.

Past diary entries made public last summer had already depicted Fauci’s private criticisms of Trump, describing him as “an idiot,” “out of control,” and “a true embarrassment.” The recent publication is the second set presented as Fauci’s personal diary, following Paul’s earlier release covering the period from December 2019 through December 2022. Additionally, Paul issued a “prequel” collection of Fauci’s historical records and emails from 2001 to July 2015.

Rand Paul announced the release in a thread on X, inviting the public to view the diaries via his official website. This disclosure occurs amid a Republican-led investigation into Fauci’s decisions and records.

Questions about political neutrality, government recordkeeping, and disputed research are sharpened by these documents.

Newsweek reached out to Fauci at Georgetown University, where he works as a Distinguished University Professor, and also contacted the White House and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for comments.

Why It Matters

Senator Paul, heading the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, uses the diary as part of an investigation into Fauci’s actions. In August, the committee voted 8-5 along party lines to approve a contempt resolution following Fauci’s Fifth Amendment invocation 111 times during a hearing.

Committee Democrats argued that the investigation lacked balance and noted Fauci could still encounter legal challenges, despite a federal pardon granted to him for the period from January 1, 2014, to January 19, 2025.

Fauci’s Private View of Trump

The 203-page document fills the gap between earlier releases and the COVID-era diary made public in July. It carries the label “Released by Chairman Rand Paul.” It captures Fauci’s worsening opinion of Trump.

On January 21, 2017, Fauci criticized Trump for boasting about his inauguration crowd size and attacking the press. By March, Fauci described White House personnel as “a scary bunch,” and labeled Trump and his team as “truly unscrupulous.” During the partial government shutdown in early January 2019, Fauci remarked, “Trump is acting more and more bizarre. Should be impeached.” He noted Democrats’ concern that impeachment might energize Trump’s supporters.

Earlier, Fauci expressed alarm before Trump took office, calling his September 2016 debate performance embarrassing and remarking on the Access Hollywood incident without dissuading loyal voters.

Lost Files and China Briefings

The diary also delves into less-seen government operations. In July 2016, ransomware affected an unprotected computer folder, which contained crucial documents. Fauci had used it for confidential materials from the anthrax attacks.

In September 2017, Fauci hosted China’s CDC Director General George Gao at the NIH and met other Chinese officials. A January 2019 entry questioned why intelligence on China’s Ebola-related technological ambitions was classified, as similar information was publically available. That December, Fauci attended a secure U.S. National Security Council discussion on Chinese genetics work, due to his “knowledge and standing.”

These references gain importance following COVID-19 and debates about Wuhan laboratories. Previously, independent researchers brought lab-origin questions into the mainstream; however, this does not clarify the pandemic’s origin.

What Happens Next

The contempt referral now rests with the Justice Department, which is not obligated to act. Newsweek reporters, supported by Martyn, their AI assistant, covered the story.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Sam Stevenson and James Debens