Inside Fauci's Diary: Candid Notes on Trump, TV Anchors and Celebrities

Newly released diary entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci—published by Senator Rand Paul (R‑Ky.)—offer a day‑by‑day account of the nation's top infectious disease adviser during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The notes document meetings, calls and private observations and were released days before Fauci was due to testify under subpoena before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

What The Diaries Show

The entries trace Fauci's evolving relationships with senior officials, journalists and cultural figures as the pandemic unfolded. They include first‑hand impressions of encounters in the White House, tensions over media appearances, and anecdotes that illustrate how Fauci's public profile grew beyond the usual bounds of government public health work.

Relations With The White House

Early passages describe a cordial working relationship with President Donald Trump. Fauci noted that Trump often directed questions to him in meetings, called him 'the smartest person in the world' and told him, 'We are counting on you,' later appearing 'enamored' as Fauci's profile rose.

CNN anchor Jake Tapper appears repeatedly in Dr. Anthony Fauci's newly released COVID-19 diary, which documents phone calls, text exchanges and dinners at Tapper's Washington home.

But Fauci's rapport with some aides frayed. He recorded a tense relationship with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, alleging that Meadows threatened to keep him off television, pressured him to soften public messaging and once 'screamed' at him. By contrast, Fauci described communications director Alyssa Farah as an ally who acknowledged staff had been 'holding me back' and promised to resume clearing TV requests.

Fauci was blunt about other officials; in a July 2, 2020 entry he called then‑HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Michael Caputo 'a con man who is completely full of sh--,' accusing Caputo of publicly expressing support while privately obstructing his media appearances.

Media Encounters

Television journalists appear frequently. CNN anchor Jake Tapper is a recurring figure, with diary entries noting calls, texts and a dinner at the Tappers' home. When an interview with Tapper was canceled, Fauci recorded a sharp reply to a reporter who said he had been 'humiliated'—'F--- you, Peter.' After a heated exchange with Rep. Jim Jordan, Fauci noted supportive texts from CNN's Dana Bash, including a line that anchor Wolf Blitzer had joked that no one would have blamed Fauci for telling Jordan to 'go f--- yourself.'

Fauci served as chief medical adviser to President Donald Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic before later continuing in the role under President Joe Biden.

Tech Leaders, Celebrities And Culture

The diaries also read like a who’s‑who of celebrity interactions. Fauci described Oracle co‑founder Larry Ellison as 'a bit of a loose cannon' in discussions about technology partnerships. He documented social and media exchanges with figures such as Julia Roberts, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, comedian Trevor Noah, NBA star Steph Curry, actors Sean Penn and Matt Damon, and rapper Lil Wayne, reflecting Fauci’s increased visibility outside traditional public‑health circles.

Final Anecdote And Context

One closing note recounts Fauci hugging Hunter Biden at the 2022 Kennedy Center Honors, with Hunter joking that the internet 'would explode' if a photo appeared because both men were 'being attacked by the far right GOP.'

Timing: The diaries were released days before Fauci’s scheduled testimony to a Senate committee after he was subpoenaed, adding to the political and public scrutiny surrounding his role during the pandemic.

The entries provide an intimate, sometimes blunt view of the tensions and public interactions that shaped pandemic communications and policy — and illuminate how a public‑health figure navigated politics, media and celebrity at an unprecedented moment.