Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before a Senate hearing Tuesday morning and clashed with Rand Paul, accusing the lawmaker of “distorting everything about me.”
Tensions escalated further when Dr. Fauci accused Senator Paul of exploiting the pandemic for personal, political gain — and Fauci brought props.
“The last time we had a committee,” Dr. Fauci said, “[Senator Paul] was accusing me of being responsible for the death of four to five million people, which is really irresponsible. And I say, ‘Why is he doing that?’ There are two reasons that’s really bad. The first is it distracts from what we’re all trying to do here today, is get our arms around the epidemic and the pandemic that we’re dealing with, not something imaginary.”
He continued: “Number two — what happens when he gets out and accuses me of things that are completely untrue is that all of a sudden, that kindles the crazies out there and I have…threats upon my life, harassment of my family…with obscene phone calls because people are lying about me. Now I guess you could say, well, that’s the way it goes, I can take the hit. Well, it makes a difference, because as some of you may know, just about three or four weeks ago on December 21st, a person was arrested who was on their way from Sacramento to Washington, D.C., at a speed stop in Iowa…The police asked him where he was going, and he was going to Washington, D.C. to kill Dr. Fauci. And they found in his car an AR-15, and multiple magazines of ammunition, because he thinks that maybe I’m killing people.”
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“So I ask myself, ‘Why would Senator [Rand Paul] want to do this?'” Dr. Fauci asked, before holding up a printout of Paul’s website. “So, go to Rand Paul’s website, and you see ‘Fire Dr. Fauci’ with a little box that says, “Contribute here.” You can do $5, $10, $20, $100. So you are making a catastrophic epidemic for your political gain.”
Watch:
Rand Paul is an absolute disgrace. Thank you, Dr. Fauci. pic.twitter.com/GuYiadal58
— MeidasTouch.com (@MeidasTouch) January 11, 2022
Earlier in the hearing, Dr. Fauci said the nation faces an “urgent need” for a new vaccine that would be more effective at preventing new variants of Covid-19 and other coronaviruses.
“Looking ahead in the context of the inevitable continual emergence of new variants, the importance of developing a pan-coronavirus vaccine, namely one that would be effective against all SARS-COVID-2 variants, and ultimately against all coronaviruses, becomes even more apparent,” he told the committee.
Meanwhile, far-right conspiracy theory group Project Veritas has claimed Dr. Fauci was personally involved in the creation of the virus along with the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The claims are entirely unverifiable.
Rand Paul has repeatedly called for Dr. Fauci to be fired as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Here’s how the exchange played out on Twitter:
how many disaster movies start with some asshole politician like Rand Paul telling an expert like Dr. Fauci to shut up
— Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) January 11, 2022
Dr. Fauci is owning the fuck out of Rand Paul today and I’m loving it.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) January 11, 2022
Rand Paul just had his questions backfire badly
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 11, 2022
Dr. Fauci dragging Rand Paul, again, is what I live for.
— Angela Belcamino (@AngelaBelcamino) January 11, 2022
Dr. Fauci pulled down Big Perma Rand Paul’s pants today and exposed him for what he is…a lying, thieving, self-certified grifter.
— Smite!?? (@7Veritas4) January 11, 2022
Dr. Fauci holds 38 honorary doctoral degrees, advisor to 7 Presidents, from 1983 to 2002 was one of the world's most frequently-cited scientists across all scientific journals, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.
Rand Paul is an eye doctor.
Next?
— Shelby Kent-Stewart ™ (@ShelbyKStewart) January 11, 2022
Rand Paul gets his panties in a wad over Dr Fauci. Then Dr Fauci exposes how Paul uses those attacks to fundraise. Busted.
— anyone_want_chips (@anyonewantchips) January 11, 2022
I'm not sure why Rand Paul is allowed to do this to Anthony Fauci but I'm glad that Fauci is sticking up for himself.
Paul should be censured.
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) January 11, 2022
rangerwilcox
there’s a serious failure in our government when folks like Rand Paul and the like are still employed at their jobs, which they do not seem to be doing.
there really should be some sort of HR-like department that takes up reprimanding these idiots and giving them their slips. it shouldn’t have to be a vote by peers to have them removed from office or stripped of their assignments.
Kangol2
That “failure” is called the US Constitution. Voters have and should have the ultimate say about who stays and who leaves Congress. I abhor Rand Paul but the people of Kentucky keep electing this buffoon to Congress, and he does very little for them or the rest of the US. This is the same idiot who has repeatedly voted against federal relief for natural disasters in other states but then was begging Biden to help out Kentucky after it suffered devastating storms and tornados. He’s a typical Republican in that regard, though, selfish and mainly focused only staying in power at the expense of the public good!
RTG
Kangol2: You are correct. Ultimately the voters get the leaders they deserve (meaning elect). It speaks volumes about Kentucky, their level of education, and understanding of what traits a great leader needs that they keep electing this self serving, amoral abomination. I am increasingly thinking America needs a velvet divorce such as what happened in Czechoslovakia.
frapachino
Perhaps you’d be happier in communist China or Russia? They make people who don’t follow the narrative disappear.
LeBlevsez
Kangol2 and RTG:
Spot on. Bright Red Kentucky is the single largest net taker from the federal coffers in the U.S. per capita, by a ratio of nearly 3 to 1 (dollars received vs dollars sent). So much for the fiscal responsibility of republicans.
frapachino:
Your hair is on fire.
Mister P
It is beyond shocking that someone who is a United States Senator uses his platform to lie and deceive to score political points instead of doing what is right. Paul should be ashamed and his family should disown him.
RTG
Beyond shocking? Did you just start watching C-SPAN yesterday? Got news for you: Rand Paul has a lot of company when it comes to self serving bad behavior. Democracy is indeed in jeopardy in this country. The increase of media, and specifically social media, has only dumbed us down as a population.
Chrisk
Pube head really is an asshole of the highest order. We need more people like his neighbor.
frapachino
So its ok to beat up people we disagree with? Homophobes and gay bashers are listening.
Jim
Rand Paul was embolden by Trump.
Just another politician who puts himself before country.
cuteguy
I want to personally thank Rand Paul’s neighbor and I truly hope there are more like him
SamB
Fauci needs to be held accountable for all of his misinformation. He as even admitted to lying in the beginning, telling the public that masks do not work, only to turn around later and say that they only said that so the public wouldn’t buy up all the available masks that should go to front-line workers.
He continues to lie to the public now.
LMG
SamB, are you the Son of Sam?
stafcoyote
SamB simply does not know the first thing about anything. Dunning-Krueger in action.
SamB
LMG, stafcoyote: Great rebuttals, I’m going to have to give that some serious thought.
Major
I’m glad he lied at first about the masks.
Don’t you remember what happened to toilet paper??
It’s brutally obvious that you are not a healthcare worker.
SamB
Major: You are “glad” someone in a powerful position lied to you? What makes you think he’s telling the truth now though? In my book, once I learn someone can’t be trusted, I no longer trust them.
GrizzleyMichael
That is bullshit you stupid Trump supporter
charlietex
Says the Trump supporter. Now there is some irony.
cliche guevara
Is there a rightwing talking point you won’t blindly repeat?
Dr. Fauci has worked at the NIH for over 50 years. And in that 50 years all you clowns have is a comment made about masks, which has been reasonably explained. Ya’ll need someone to vilify and y’all settled on him and a mask comment. I’m embarrassed on your behalf.
SamB
Cliche: More and more is being exposed. For example the recent release of emails where he admits early on that this could’ve been a lab leak but they chose to bury that narrative for political reasons. Also his constant denial that his department had nothing to do with the Wuhan lab, and then it was proven that they actually did provide funding. This is a man you choose to believe?
cliche guevara
The things you are referencing all require conjecture to fill in the gaps and land at the conclusions you are pushing.
For example you say:
“the recent release of emails where he admits early on that this could’ve been a lab leak but they chose to bury that narrative for political reasons”
The line in Fauci’s email the you are talking about is:
“I would not do anything about this right now. It is a shiny object that will go away in times [sic]”
From that one line you get an admission that isn’t there and political motivation that isn’t there. Using your own stated stand on not believing someone who has been dishonest once you don’t see yourself as trustworthy. Finally there is a point we can agree on.
MISTERJETT
you, like rand, are a moron!!!!!
SamB
Cliche: You’re right, I was referencing that line but I was also using content from the other emails to make my assumption. Fauci hears about the lab-leak theory a day before the Feb 1 2020 conference call, and in the call they theorized that this might be a lab leak. Some specialists were saying the possibility of it happening in nature were “highly unlikely”. Another email dated Feb 2 2020 they decided to stick with the natural theory to maintain “harmony”.
An email dated Feb 22 2020 a Cornell professor wrote to Fauci stating that his team were doing some research and believe the virus was a leak and is further alarmed because of recent news he found that Chinese authorities were sterilizing paper money coming from Hubei province, which is where Wuhan is. Fauci’s reply was to forward the email to someone and wrote “Please handle”
There are a lot of red flag in those emails, but only recently, after almost two years, do they admit that maybe it’s possible?
And let’s not forget how he finally admitted they were overcounting Covid patients and the numbers are much, much lower.
cliche guevara
What you literally said:
“the recent release of emails where he admits early on that this could’ve been a lab leak but they chose to bury that narrative for political reasons”
When I pointed out that the email doesn’t say what you said it does and you are applying conjecture you have moved to:
“Fauci hears about the lab-leak theory a day before the Feb 1 2020 conference call, and in the call they theorized that this might be a lab leak. Some specialists were saying the possibility of it happening in nature were “highly unlikely”. Another email dated Feb 2 2020 they decided to stick with the natural theory to maintain “harmony”.”
So now your story is changing and not in a small way. You have gone from email to conference calls. Not only that you are still 100% relying on conjecture based on pieces of data that are plucked out of context and none of these have Fauci admitting anything nor do they show some political cover up.
To be fair, you aren’t even doing the conjecture and implications you are just repeating them. You are repeating them to the extend that I just have to cut and paste lines from you comment into google and the source articles from right wing sites come up.
Anyway, you are exhibiting the behavior you are saying makes Fauci untrustworthy. So again, using your standards you are not credible. And once again, we agree on something.
SamB
Cliche: Everything I referenced are in the emails. The conference was referenced in the emails with the other attendees. It’s all there you can find it for yourself.
LMG
Rancid Paul could spread COVID-19 with just his hair. He looks just like he acts – a boorish ignorant slob. This is a little spoiled boy who desperately needs attention. He’s also trying to imitate his master by being a major grifter. Would anyone really want this creep getting so close to you that he can look in your eye? He probably stinks to high heaven.
johncp56
I,m a high school deficient lol but after the last hellish pres, those ass hats in congress are paid $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and the majority gop, are a full house of dumb mean backward homophobic white poeple
and al they do is hold up anything important being done
stafcoyote
Rand Paul should lose his medical license. And being struck off the list of licensed doctors should be the least of his worries; he still has neighbors.
GrizzleyMichael
He should lose everything
Fahd
Remember when Rand Paul was running for president? lol
Paul´s whole shtick of trying to be the most obnoxious member of congress has been eclipsed by the Tr**psters – he can’t compete on wackiness and disregard for truth, even though he’s trying so hard. Reminds me of the 95 year old with the Newt Gingrich for President sign on his lawn.
Fauci has never claimed to know it all or to be able to predict the future. Who else would have been able to survive the Trump administration with his dignity, integrity, and credibility intact? Not Dr. Birx or whatever her name was. Fauci should get a medal, at least.
Mister P
SamB doesn’t see the irony of doing the same thing the loonies threatening Dr. Fauci are doing.
RosemarysBaby
SamB is so full of fecal matter that every word it utters draws flies. Such a sad little excuse for a troll. Ignore it and it will eventually wither up and blow away.
SamB
Mister P: I don’t understand your statement. What am I doing?
Dick Gozinia
I am a triple vaxxed lifelong Democrat and a fan of Dr. Fauci. But this conflict with Rand Paul is over something called the Great Barrier Declaration. Fauci and Collins wrote off the authors as a fringe group that should be disregarded but the Wall Street Journal disagrees with that assessment. The gist of GSB is that we need targeted protection of certain groups of people and that massive across-the-board shut downs of our businesses and institutions is not necessary. I would like for the news channels to cover GSB more thoroughly and to let the public make up their own minds.
Jay Dawwg
While I understand your point, the pu lic has done very little to prove it can be trusted to make a smart sane decision no matter how much media or what type they consume. I’m starting to think we do need a deep state to make the unpleasant decisions no o e wants to make. We NEED a shadow government that foes put the vaccine in your ranch dressing. Or lace the water supply with vaccine. We should have and could have been clear of this pandemic over a year ago, but people couldn’t spend a few weeks at home. No their hair dos were more important. We could have been clear last summer, but “I can’t wait for the vaccine became “I don’t trust the vaccine.” Simply because a Democrat became president. Or “I have zero problems with the vaccine, but you said I HAVE to take it, and I don’t like being told what to do. So even though I planned on getting vaccinated, I’m nor going to, because you can’t tell me what to do.” You trust these people to make their own minds up based on facts? Please.
Kangol2
Well, we are following the GSB policy in de facto form and it’s proving disastrous, so perhaps the media could speak specifically about what it suggests but even a very liberal state like New York and a city like New York City are run by liberals who are loath–absolutely loath–to shutting businesses down, imposing lockdowns, etc., unless absolutely necessary. They believe in some vaccine mandates, in gently pushing masking, etc., but as for the lockdowns we saw back in early 2020 or what we’re witnessing in other parts of the world (China, Australia, etc.), it’s an absolute no-go. This is something the right refuses to acknowledge, even despite the US’s comparatively awful numbers in terms of Covid-19 over and in terms of the Delta and Omicron variants.
SamB
Jay Dawwg: You do realize you just described a Communist or Fascist regime? And who got their hair done during this “pandemic?” Nancy Pelosi, the same woman who wants us to hide at home.
TheAbsoluteTRUTH
What is it with these over 80 lunatics like flip flop fauci and nutty nancy pelosi? Are they ever going to retire off into the sunset and enjoy their lives or will they keep needing too be the ego filled saviors of America telling you what’s best for ya. Actually not worried about Pelosi the upcoming democratic bloodbath in November will rid us of the america destroying liberal loonies thankfully
cc423
Clowns like your deserve to get COVID and deal with the consequences and costs with no help from the rest of us. I am sick of ignorant fools like you spewing the bs you read on right wing websites like it’s some sort of scientific proof… in fact the newest defense for COVID among you conservative boneheads is to drink your own urine. I invite you to do so.
seadrian
Democratic bloodbath? That seems unlikely since Democrats showed up in record numbers to vote in the last election and Republicans have been dropping like flies from COVID since then, just like Fauci predicted. @TheAbsoluteTRUTH, we’ll look forward to seeing your Gofundme.
Jack
Luckily Trump loves you. Because he loves the poorly educated as he gleefully stated. If you hadn’t been smoking meth in 6th grade, you may have known the difference between “to” and “too”. And punctuation. It wouldn’t help your message be anything but horsesh*t, but it would at least make you 2% less of a moron.
cliche guevara
That was amazing.
fredk3
send rand paul with his fake bake goggles tan & old lady hair-do back to shady pines.
Jack
I hope Rand shaved his balls because Tony FED. THEM. TO. HIM.
mastik8
I’m no fan of Paul but how did our community forget how badly Fauci managed AIDS?