Megyn Kelly reposted a March 2023 PBS clip of Dr. Anthony Fauci canvassing for COVID‑19 vaccines in Washington, D.C., and criticized his remarks about Republican‑led states. Kelly called parts of Fauci's comments 'lies' and disputed the implication that vaccines fully stopped transmission. The clip resurfaced after Senator Rand Paul released portions of Fauci's pandemic diary, which includes notes on messaging about vaccine effectiveness and private criticisms of political and media figures. The video and diary excerpts have renewed debate over public‑health messaging and political polarization.
Megyn Kelly Resurfaces Fauci Door‑to‑Door Clip, Slams His Comments About Republican Voters
Megyn Kelly Shares Fauci’s Thoughts on Republicans in Resurfaced Clip
A resurfaced March 2023 PBS segment showing Dr. Anthony Fauci going door‑to‑door in Washington, D.C., to promote COVID‑19 vaccines has drawn renewed attention after circulating on social media. The clip — which features Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) accompanying Fauci — reappeared shortly after Fauci's recent congressional testimony and the July release of excerpts from his pandemic diary.
During the canvass, Bowser asks, 'What are we gonna do about those other states?' referring to Republican‑led states where vaccine outreach was less aggressive. Fauci responds, 'Oh my God. They're gonna keep the outbreak smoldering in the country, it's so crazy,' and adds, 'I mean, they're not doing it because they say they don't wanna do it; they're Republicans, they don't like to be told what to do. And we've gotta break that, you know, unpack that.'
Fauci: 'I mean, they're not doing it because they say they don't wanna do it; they're Republicans, they don't like to be told what to do. And we've gotta break that, you know, unpack that.'
On her program, Megyn Kelly reacted sharply to the clip, calling parts of it 'lies' and expressing disbelief. Kelly also disputed the implication that vaccines fully stopped transmission, saying, 'Of course, the vaccine did not stop the transmission,' and criticized Fauci's characterization of Republican voters.
Kelly: 'Oh my God, the lies!'
The resurfaced video followed the public release of portions of Fauci's pandemic diary by Senator Rand Paul (R‑KY) on July 25. The diary includes an August 2022 entry in which Fauci urged public health officials to avoid saying vaccines were 'not effective at all in preventing infection and transmission,' noting there was 'some degree of modest but declining protection' and warning that absolutist messaging could 'undermine the DoJ's efforts at mandates for vaccines under certain circumstances.'
The diary also documents Fauci's awareness of media attention — in 2020 he wrote that he had become 'the most famous and talked about person' in America — and records critical private remarks about political and media figures, including Governor Ron DeSantis, former President Donald Trump, and several Fox News hosts. It even recounts a 'relaxed' dinner with CNN's Jake Tapper the week after Fauci publicly urged Americans to 'sacrifice' Thanksgiving.
Supporters of Kelly and other critics have used the clip and diary excerpts to question Fauci's messaging and impartiality. Public health experts stress context: while vaccines were not perfect at preventing transmission, they substantially reduced severe illness and deaths. Together, the video and diary excerpts have reignited debate about public‑health messaging, political polarization, and how officials balance clear guidance with policy objectives like mandates.
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