Fauci ‘Not Contemplating Any Further Action’ After Being Unwittingly Used In Trump Ad

President Donald Trump speaks with the coronavirus task force during a briefing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the White House on March 20, 2020. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images) 
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Top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci indicated on Thursday that he won’t be getting more aggressive in his pushback against the Trump campaign using his quotes out of context and without his permission to make it look like he was praising Trump’s COVID-19 response.

“I’m not contemplating any further action, George,” Fauci told ABC News’ “Good Morning America” anchor George Stephanopolous.

The health official emphasized that he doesn’t “like to be associated with anything political.”

“The way I was juxtaposed in that ad, it made it look very much like I was part of a political campaign,” Fauci said. “And I’m expressing that I don’t like that.”

However, he clarified his previous warning that the misleading ad could “backfire” on the Trump campaign.

“When I said it might backfire, I think if people see that [the Trump campaign is] doing things that are clearly against my will, it’s going to make them look bad,” the doctor told Stephanopolous. “That’s what I meant. Nothing more than that.”

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Notable Replies

  1. Sad sight to watch a man slink back to his office, muttering, tail between his legs…

  2. It’s past time for Fauci, Birx, and Redfield to show some courage. Lives are on the line.

    The “I don’t want to be political” stance is sounding more and more like an excuse than a conviction.

  3. People see what is true and just.

    He’s a far bigger person than Trump ever was or could be.

  4. No need to. Trump is almost out of bullets. When he throws the gun, we’ll know it’s over.

  5. Avatar for erik_t erik_t says:

    I’m not generally part of the LOL NOTHING MATTERS crowd, but none of this matters. Americans are voting, right now, and Anthony Fauci will continue to direct the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases into President Biden’s first term.

    (On the other hand, I have no use whatsoever for Birx and Redfield)

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