Fauci's Diary Reveals Celebrity Encounters and Political Turmoil
In a recent edition, The New Yorker's critic's notebook delves into the diary of Dr. Anthony Fauci, which Senator Rand Paul has made public. Covering the period from late 2019 to 2022, the diary reveals Fauci's encounters with various celebrities such as Barbra Streisand, Julia Roberts, Alec Baldwin, and Joan Baez, showcasing his intrigue with fame. It also reflects on his transformation into a contentious figure amid the COVID-19 pandemic, detailing his experiences of both admiration and criticism, along with his worries regarding the far right and the 'big lie.' The article emphasizes the disparity between Fauci's image as a beacon of truth and the private challenges stemming from his celebrity, concluding with his retirement in 2022 after nearly four decades leading the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Key facts
- Fauci's diary was released to the public by Senator Rand Paul, who had subpoenaed Fauci to testify on pandemic origins.
- The diary begins in December 2019 with a note about helping Dionne Warwick find physicians.
- Fauci recorded tributes from celebrities including Barbra Streisand, Julia Roberts, Alan Alda, Alec Baldwin, and many others.
- Joan Baez painted a portrait of Fauci and became a recurring figure in the diary.
- Fauci noted the 'complete craziness with this Fauci cult hero stuff' regarding Fauci-themed doughnuts.
- In October 2021, Fauci wrote about a potential constitutional crisis and the 'big lie'.
- Fauci stepped down from his post at the end of 2022, after nearly forty years as NIAID director.
- The diary includes details of Fauci's interactions with Trump administration figures like Kellyanne Conway and Mike Pence.
Entities
Artists
- Anthony Fauci
- Barbra Streisand
- Julia Roberts
- Alan Alda
- Alec Baldwin
- Mila Kunis
- Ashton Kutcher
- Orlando Bloom
- Amy Poehler
- Magic Johnson
- Steve Buscemi
- Tyra Banks
- Stephen Colbert
- Robert De Niro
- Al Pacino
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Francis Ford Coppola
- Isabella Rossellini
- Marisa Tomei
- John Turturro
- Neil Sedaka
- Bob Cousy
- Ava DuVernay
- José Andrés
- Clive Davis
- Venus Williams
- Serena Williams
- Jimmy Kimmel
- Brad Pitt
- Stanley Tucci
- Bono
- Eddie Vedder
- Kelly Ripa
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Joan Baez
- Trisha Yearwood
- Dick Van Dyke
- Debbie Allen
- Chita Rivera
- Dionne Warwick
- Tom Hanks
- Gal Gadot
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- Robert Mueller
- Kellyanne Conway
- Mike Pence
- Katie Miller
- Donald Trump
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Froma Harrop
- Ted Koppel
Institutions
- The New Yorker
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Senate
- Kennedy Center
- Washington Post
- Daily Mail
Locations
- United States
- Rochester