Anthony Fauci's private diary entries, released by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky., provide an unfiltered glimpse into the nation's top infectious disease expert's views on politicians, television personalities, and celebrities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The diaries chronicle Fauci's daily activities through meetings, phone calls, and personal observations, capturing interactions with figures such as President Donald Trump, Julia Roberts, NBA star Steph Curry, billionaire Larry Ellison, and Hunter Biden.

Fauci wrote that Trump frequently directed questions to him during White House meetings, called him "the smartest person in the world," told him, "We are counting on you," and later appeared "enamored" with him as Fauci's national profile grew. In a May 2020 entry, Fauci noted that then-White House communications director Alyssa Farah admitted staff had been "holding me back," acknowledged the situation had "gotten out of hand," and promised to clear Fauci's television requests again.

The diary also includes Fauci's description of Larry Ellison as "a bit of a loose cannon" amid White House efforts to utilize Oracle technology during the pandemic.

Fauci documented his growing celebrity status, noting interactions with actress Julia Roberts, who hosted him on Instagram Live, sent flowers, and later presented him with an award. Other notable figures mentioned include Vogue editor Anna Wintour, comedian Trevor Noah, actors Sean Penn and Matt Damon, rapper Lil Wayne, and Steph Curry.

At the 2022 Kennedy Center Honors, Fauci wrote that he hugged Hunter Biden, who joked the internet "would explode" if someone photographed them together because they were both "being attacked by the far right GOP."

The diary release comes days before Fauci is scheduled to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee after being subpoenaed by Paul.

Sources