The public battle between Peter Navarro and Dr. Anthony Fauci stretched into another day as the White House trade advisor broke protocol by publishing an op-ed blasting the top member of the White House coronavirus task force. In what can be deemed as one of Fauci's most forceful pushback against the White House attempts to defame him, the Infectious diseases expert warned the administration officials that they were harming Donald Trump's credibility.
In an interview with The Atlantic, Fauci described White House attacks on him as bizarre, adding that they end up damaging Trump more than him. Fauci went on to explain that he could not figure out why they were openly criticizing him, but now realize that slamming him only reflects negatively on them.
As he spoke, the White House was attempting to separate itself from Navarro's recently published opinion piece, which comprised viewpoints that coincide with Trump's remarks. The White House communications office claims Navarro did not get his article cleared through them before it was published in USA Today. Even Trump called the article a mistake.
The sentiments expressed by Navarro seems to be in line with the one White House officials upheld over the weekend, accusing Fauci of been wrong on several occasions during the pandemic, while questioning his record to reporters.
When questioned about Navarro's opinion article, Trump said his statement represented him, adding that he shouldn't be doing that. Noting that they are all in the same team, Trump said he has a very good relationship with Fauci. Nevertheless, the president stopped short of condemning the article's content or criticizing his top trade aide.
The confusing and fraught philosophy between the belligerent groups of administration seemed to represent the culture of disharmony that Trump has accepted and, several times, even cultivated during his tenure in office. The fact that it is happening during a global pandemic has magnified the questions of competency concerning the administration's response to the pandemic.
Speaking to CBS anchor Norah O'Donnell in an interview that was published on InStyle.com on July 15, Fauci admitted that it is not easy to walk a tightrope while trying to convey a message, and people try to set you directly against the president. Navarro's column says Fauci has a good bedside manner with the public but accuses him of being wrong about everything he has interacted with him on.
Fauci has refrained from responding directly to Navarro, saying he would rather direct his energies towards what really matters, such as developing a coronavirus vaccine.