Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

DeSantis unleashes shocking attack on Fauci saying he wants to see ‘that little elf’ thrown ‘across the Potomac’

Joe Biden’s top medical adviser announced he will leave current job in December

Graeme Massie
Los Angeles
Thursday 25 August 2022 06:45 BST
Comments
DeSantis unleashes ‘little elf’ attack on Fauci

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ron DeSantis unleashed a shocking new attack on Dr Anthony Fauci saying he wanted to see “that little elf” thrown “across the Potomac”.

The Florida governor made his bizarre comments about the outgoing director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases during a fundraising event in the state.

“I’m just sick of seeing him. I know he says he’s gonna retire. Someone needs to grab that little elf and chuck him across the Potomac,” Mr DeSantis said.

Dr Fauci, who is Joe Biden’s top medical adviser, became a popular right-wing target during the Covid-19 pandemic and announced on Monday that he was leaving his current job in December.

The scientist has said he is not “retiring” but is “moving on from my current positions.”

“I am announcing today that I will be stepping down from the positions of Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Chief of the NIAID Laboratory of Immunoregulation, as well as the position of Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden,” Dr Fauci said.

(Getty Images)

“I will be leaving these positions in December of this year to pursue the next chapter of my career.”

And he added: “I want to use what I have learned as NIAID Director to continue to advance science and public health and to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientific leaders as they help prepare the world to face future infectious disease threats.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in