After being muzzled by the Trump administration, Dr. Anthony Fauci is making the media rounds and his latest stop was on Fox News’ revamped America’s Newsroom hour.
Fauci recently interviewed with The New York Times while also guesting on an episode of The Daily podcast, where he discussed his time with former President Donald Trump. However, the nation’s leading infectious-diseases expert appeared ready to move on when he made his appearance on Fox News.
Nonetheless, co-anchor Dana Perino displayed frustration as 24 of the 28-minute interview with The Daily focused not on the COVID-19 pandemic itself but instead on Fauci’s contentious relationship with Trump.
“I know that those questions are irresistible for reporters to ask,” Perino said. “But is there a law of diminishing returns to continue to answer the questions about that relationship if the crisis is as acute as you say?”
Fauci then responded by saying he’s not happy about rehashing his time with Trump and wants to look forward.
“We’ve really got to look forward and ahead and just put that behind us,” Fauci said. Adding that he is “really not enthusiastic at all about re-examining what happened back then rather than looking forward to what we need to do now.”
Co-host Bill Hemmer then interrupted Fauci to provide critical remarks over him wanting to move on from the Trump discussion.
“It just seems like there’s this aggressiveness toward the Trump administration,” Hemmer said. “I mean, you’re the most respected man in America on this topic. Why do you even feel the obligation to answer these questions?”
“We’re getting into rehashing it again,” Fauci said. “I think we should do what Dana just suggested, namely, put that behind us and take a look at the problems we have ahead.” Hemmer finally ended the back and forth with Fauci by stating, “At 9:37 on this Tuesday morning, January 26th, we will mark this moment, doctor. I’m ready to move on with you as well.”
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
