Fauci defends outburst after calling senator a ‘moron’ on hot mic
Infectious diseases expert says senator accused him of ‘making investments sort of like ahead of the game’
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.Anthony Fauci has defended mocking Republican senator Roger Marshall after the two sparred over his financial disclosures during a senate committee hearing on health, education, labour and pensions.
Dr Fauci, in an interview with MSNBC News on Wednesday, said he was stunned to know “that a sitting United States senator doesn’t realise that my financial statement is public knowledge”.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) claimed Mr Marshall, through his line of inquiry, was accusing him of making investments in the market based on “so-called inside knowledge” about the drugs that are effective.
“It just is an example, again, he was implying, if you listen to the entire dialogue, that in my position, responsible for drug trials and having so-called inside knowledge of what drug works and what drug doesn’t work, that maybe I was making investments sort of like ahead of the game here,” he said.
Dr Fauci added that Mr Marshall “was totally implying that, and he made the statement that we can’t get your financial statement. It was stunning to me that a United States senator doesn’t realise that my financial statement is public knowledge. It was just like, ‘Where have you been?’”
Fauci news - live: Doctor explains calling Roger Marshall ‘moron’ on hot mic over financial disclosure
Fauci heard on hot mic calling Roger Marshall ‘a moron’ after heated questioning
‘You are distorting everything about me’: Fauci tears into Rand Paul for using ‘pandemic for political gain’ with personal attacks
Earlier on Tuesday, Dr Fauci had seemingly lost his temper and was heard calling Mr Marshall “a moron” when the senator questioned whether the top infectious disease expert and the White House’s chief medical adviser should have a publicly available financial disclosure form.
“Will you be willing to submit to Congress and public a financial disclosure that includes your past and current investments?” asked Mr Marshall.
Dr Fauci responded with confusion, noting that his financial disclosures had been publicly available for years throughout his service at the NIAID.
“I don’t know why you are asking me that question,” he said. “My financial disclosure is public knowledge and has been so of 35 years (sic)... It is totally accessible to you if you want it.”
As the exchange ended, Dr Fauci derided the senator for insisting his staff could not find the disclosures and was heard quipping: “What a moron. Jesus Christ.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments