As virus surges, Trump escalates conflict with Fauci | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
July 17, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025
As virus surges, Trump escalates conflict with Fauci

World+Biz

BSS/AFP
17 July, 2020, 10:10 am
Last modified: 17 July, 2020, 10:12 am

Related News

  • Tariff implications: What does Trump actually want to achieve?
  • What Hitler’s tariff policy misfire can teach the modern world
  • Stocks open lower amid Trump’s tariff move on Bangladesh
  • Republicans muscle Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill through Congress
  • Trump calls for Israeli PM's trial to be canceled

As virus surges, Trump escalates conflict with Fauci

There are increasing signs, however, that the diplomacy is starting to fray

BSS/AFP
17 July, 2020, 10:10 am
Last modified: 17 July, 2020, 10:12 am
FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump looks over at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr Anthony Fauci as CDC Director Robert Redfield looks on as the president returns to the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, US, April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis
FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump looks over at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr Anthony Fauci as CDC Director Robert Redfield looks on as the president returns to the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, US, April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis

Anthony Fauci, the United States' top infectious disease specialist, likes to focus on science — but his honest takes on America's failures to get a grip on COVID-19 have brought him into ever greater conflict with President Donald Trump.

As director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the physician-scientist has led the country's response to every epidemic since the 1980s, earning particular acclaim for his research on HIV treatments.

These days, his public profile is bigger than ever, thanks to his straight-talking approach on the coronavirus that has won him legions of fans, who buy T-shirts and bobbleheads in his likeness.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Early on in the pandemic, the 79-year-old learned the delicate art of pushing back against the bluster of his boss without publicly contradicting him — on topics ranging from vaccine development timelines to Trump's puzzling faith in an unproven malaria drug to fight the virus.

There are increasing signs, however, that the diplomacy is starting to fray.

Fauci says he has not met the president since June 2, and he has not attended any recent televised briefings of the White House coronavirus task force that made him a household name.

The reason?

His dire warnings on the dangers of reopening states too fast don't seem to sit well with the commander-in-chief, who has placed his re-election hopes on declaring victory over the virus and jumpstarting the economy.

The US, which is by far the worst-hit country in the world with more than 137,000 deaths, has since mid-June been experiencing a dramatic fresh surge, with the locus of the epidemic shifting to California, Texas, Arizona and Florida.

"As a country, when you compare us to other countries, I don't think you can say we're doing great," Fauci told the political news site FiveThirtyEight last week, days after warning the US could start seeing 100,000 new cases a day if it didn't correct its course.

Asked about the impact of the politicization of face masks, he replied: "I think you'd have to make the assumption that if there wasn't such divisiveness, that we would have a more coordinated approach."

US health officials adopted a pro-mask policy in the spring after new data shifted the balance of evidence in favor of their use.

Trump however has continued to equivocate on the issue, and has at various times sought to portray face coverings as an affront to freedom and a conspiracy to stoke fear.

Over the weekend, the White House hit back with a one-two punch, sending news media a memo purporting to demonstrate all the times Fauci "has been wrong on things" during the pandemic.

This was followed up by a scathing op-ed in USA Today by the president's trade advisor Peter Navarro, who wrote he only ever listened to Fauci's advice "with skepticism and caution."

– Media blitz –

Barred from doing TV interviews, Fauci has more than compensated by going on a print media and podcast blitz where he has taken on a more assertive tone.

"I think everybody thinks I'm doing more than an outstanding job," he told women's fashion magazine InStyle this week.

He also pointed out that, at least when it comes to his job at NIAID, where he is leading COVID-19 vaccine development efforts, the president cannot fire him.

The escalation of the conflict has fueled speculation the veteran medic may soon be shown the door by the president.

Trump, who is lagging in polls to vice president Joe Biden, needs to think through such a move carefully in case it backfires.

A Quinnipiac University survey published Wednesday found that Fauci enjoys the trust of 65 percent of the American public, indicating broad bipartisan support.

And so, both sides have found ways to lower the temperature.

Fauci told The Atlantic the White House attacks were "bizarre," adding, cleverly: "When the staff lets out something like that and the entire scientific and press community push back on it, it ultimately hurts the president."

Trump, for his part, took the out, telling reporters he and Fauci get along well and that his staff had acted on their own accord.

The fences are mended. For now.

Top News

Trump / Fauci

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam speaks at a press conference in Khulna on 16 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Gopalganj attack: Nahid demands arrest of culprits within 24 hours
  • Photo: TBS
    Gopalganj under heavy security as tension persists amid curfew
  • The supporters of local Awami League and Chhatra League locked in a clash with police following attacks on NCP convoy this afternoon (16 July). Photo: Collected
    Gopalganj under curfew tonight; 4 killed as banned AL, police clash after attack on NCP leaders

MOST VIEWED

  • 131 foreigners were denied entry into Malaysia by their border control. Photo: The Star
    96 Bangladeshis denied entry at Kuala Lumpur airport
  • Double-decker school buses are lined up in a field in Chattogram city. The district administration has proposed modernising the buses to ensure security and convenience for school students. Photo: TBS
    Country's first smart school bus in Ctg faces shutdown amid funding crisis
  • A file photo of people boarding the government-run Betna Express at a railway station. The train operates on the Benapole-Khulna-Mongla route via Jashore. Photo: TBS
    Despite profitability, Betna Express rail service handed over to pvt sector
  • Bangladesh Bank buys $313m more in second dollar auction in three days
    Bangladesh Bank buys $313m more in second dollar auction in three days
  • Representational image. File Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Malaysia grants Bangladeshi workers multiple-entry visas
  • People enter and loot Ganobhaban, the Prime Minister’s residence, following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 5, 2024. Photo: TBS
    Govt to spend Tk111cr to turn Ganabhaban into July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum

Related News

  • Tariff implications: What does Trump actually want to achieve?
  • What Hitler’s tariff policy misfire can teach the modern world
  • Stocks open lower amid Trump’s tariff move on Bangladesh
  • Republicans muscle Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill through Congress
  • Trump calls for Israeli PM's trial to be canceled

Features

Abu Sayeed spread his hands as police fired rubber bullets, leading to his tragic death. Photos: Collected

How Abu Sayed’s wings of freedom ignited the fire of July uprising

1d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Open source legal advice: How Facebook groups are empowering victims of land disputes

2d | Panorama
DU students at TSC around 12:45am on 15 July 2024, protesting Sheikh Hasina’s insulting remark. Photo: TBS

‘Razakar’: The butterfly effect of a word

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Grooming gadgets: Where sleek tools meet effortless styles

3d | Brands

More Videos from TBS

NCP leaders safely in Khulna from Gopalganj.

NCP leaders safely in Khulna from Gopalganj.

4h | TBS Today
July 16 returns with sadness and pain

July 16 returns with sadness and pain

4h | TBS Today
China's economy not hit by Trump's tariff war

China's economy not hit by Trump's tariff war

6h | Others
News of The Day, 16 JULY 2025

News of The Day, 16 JULY 2025

7h | TBS News of the day
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net