When asked on Tuesday who the public can trust during the coronavirus pandemic, Anthony Fauci told C-SPAN that people "can trust respected medical authorities ... who have a track record of giving information and policy and recommendations based on scientific evidence and good data."
Why it matters: Fauci's comments come as the White House tries to sideline the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director in the middle of the pandemic. Multiple media outlets received a statement on Monday from an unnamed White House official that listed each time Fauci was "wrong on things" in COVID-19's early days.
What Fauci is saying: "So if I were to give advice to you and your family and friends of your family, I would say that's the safest to do — to listen to the recommendations from that category of people. But it's entirely understandable how the public can get mixed messages and then get a bit confused about what they should do."
The big picture: Fauci's relationships with the Trump administration has been tense as disagreements emerge on topics such as the reopening of schools, testing and the use of treatments like hydroxychloroquine.
- Fauci said last week that he hasn't seen Trump at the White House since June 2.
