In an interview with The Telegraph, Dr. Fauci talked about losing his influence over Trump starting in late April and early May of 2020 when Trump diverted his focus away from the deadly virus to concentrate on his re-election campaign. During this time, Trump also started siding with the anti-lockdown protesters and wanted the country to re-open regardless of how deadly the virus was and how easily it could spread.
“My influence with [the president] diminished when he decided to essentially act like there was no outbreak and focus on re-election and opening the economy… That’s when he said, ‘It’s going to go away, it’s magical, don’t worry about it.’ “
After this, “my direct influence on him was negligible. It became more conflictual than productive”, Fauci said. He described his presence, and frank assessment of US failures, as being like “the skunk at the picnic.”
Since Trump has stepped down from office, Fauci has been giving many interviews about working with him, and has been vocal about how relieved he has been that he is no longer working under Trump.
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