The nation’s top infectious disease expert is being featured in a new campaign ad for President Donald Trump.
But, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institue of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says he did not agree to be featured in the ad, and his comments were taken out of context.
The Trump campaign ad, titled “Carefully,” focuses on the economic recovery from the COVID-19 related shutdowns, and the president’s own battle with the coronavirus.
“President Trump tackled the virus head-on as leaders should,” the narrator says as the ad focuses on the president’s handling of the outbreak.
The ad then features a portion of an interview Fauci gave back in March where he touted the White House coronavirus task force’s response to the virus, where he said, “I can’t imagine … that anybody could be doing more.”
Watch the ad below:
However, Fauci told CNN, “In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate.”
“The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials,” he added.
After Fauci gave his statement to CNN, the Trump campaign said in a statement, “These are Dr. Fauci’s own words. The video is from a nationally broadcast television interview in which Dr. Fauci was praising the work of the Trump Administration. The words spoken are accurate, and directly from Dr. Fauci’s mouth.”
"…As Dr. Fauci recently testified in the Senate, President Trump took the virus seriously from the beginning, acted quickly, and saved lives.”
— Will Steakin (@wsteaks) October 11, 2020
“As Dr. Fauci recently testified in the Senate, President Trump took the virus seriously from the beginning, acted quickly, and saved lives,” the statement added.
Trump also weighed in with a tweet, “They are indeed Dr. Fauci’s own words. We have done a ‘phenomenal’ job, according to certain governors. Many people agree.”
They are indeed Dr. Fauci’s own words. We have done a “phenomenal” job, according to certain governors. Many people agree…And now come the Vaccines & Cures, long ahead of projections! https://t.co/ANqKL4eBqJ
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2020
“And now come the Vaccines & Cures, long ahead of projections!” he added.
