Anthony Fauci’s private diary entries from the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic reveal his growing frustration with Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis, describing the former president as “rambling”, “crazy” and “incompetent”. The journals, released by Republican Senator Rand Paul as part of his long-running criticism of Fauci’s role in the US pandemic response, show the former government science adviser documenting difficult interactions with Trump as the virus spread across the country. Early warnings over virus responseFauci wrote that he spoke with Trump during a late-night phone call on 27 February 2020, as concern over Covid-19 was increasing in the US. According to the diary, Fauci urged the president not to minimise the seriousness of the outbreak, warning that downplaying the threat could harm Trump politically if the situation worsened. Fauci wrote that he advised Trump that being transparent about the risks would earn public respect, even if the economy and stock market suffered. However, he noted that Trump appeared to return to a more dismissive approach the following day. Criticism grows during election yearBy mid-March 2020, as lockdowns and public health restrictions were introduced, Fauci recorded frustration over Trump’s focus on media appearances. He wrote that Trump wanted two daily press briefings, leaving officials with less time to work on the response. In May 2020, Fauci wrote that Trump was becoming increasingly focused on reopening the country ahead of the presidential election, describing the push as driven by political concerns. A true embarrassmentMonths later, as infections rose before the election, Fauci criticised Trump’s campaign appearances and wrote that the president was “out of control” and a “true embarrassment”. After Trump lost the election but attempted to challenge the result, Fauci compared the situation to historical examples of leaders refusing to accept defeat. By March 2021, he described Trump as “truly an obnoxious adolescent”. The diary entries also show Fauci’s concerns about being viewed as a source for journalists. He recorded conversations with Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward, who was writing a book about the US response to Covid-19. Long-running dispute with Rand PaulThe publication of the diaries was arranged by Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky who has repeatedly criticised Fauci’s pandemic policies. Paul has accused Fauci of supporting unnecessary restrictions and has questioned whether research funding linked to US institutions contributed to the origins of Covid-19. Fauci has rejected claims that the virus was created in a laboratory and has continued to support the theory that it emerged through animal-to-human transmission. The two have clashed publicly, including during a 2022 Senate hearing when Fauci said Paul’s accusations had contributed to threats against him and his family. Paul has said he plans to question Fauci again at an upcoming hearing, where the 85-year-old former adviser has been required to appear. The diaries have also drawn attention to Fauci’s own comments about his public profile during the pandemic. In one 2020 entry, he noted widespread support from the public and described himself as being seen as a highly trusted scientific figure. His notes also recorded meetings and interactions with celebrities and media figures during his rise to international recognition. Join the discussion? 28 July 2026
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