Dr. Anthony Fauci continues to attract criticism as he gears up to step down from his position in December. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), one of Fauci’s top critics in the country, addressed Fauci’s media appearances. Showing his displeasure to those in attendance at the Keep Florida Free tour, DeSantis called Fauci a “little elf.”
This week, Dr. Fauci appeared on Fox news during an interview with Neil Cavuto.
Cavuto questioned Fauci’s past decisions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, asking Dr. Fauci if he regretted the “sweeping shutdown that some said made things worse”
In response, Fauci said, “No, I don’t, Neil. In fact, I think we need to make sure that your listeners understand, I didn’t shut down anything.”
“Someone needs to grab that little left and chuck him…”-@GovRonDeSantis on Fauci #FlPol #Florida pic.twitter.com/YmaOxQmcQB
— Javier Manjarres (@JavManjarres) August 24, 2022
This response has garnered criticism from Republican members like Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul (R).
In response, Cruz went to social media to call the interview “surreal,” adding that “Fauci claims there were not shutdowns and no kids were hurt by missing school for over a year.”
Senator Paul, who’s hinted that he will lead the charge on an investigation into Dr. Fauci, similarly took to social media, sharing a clip of an exchange between him and Dr. Fauci discussing the shutdown during a hearing.
In the clip, Dr. Fauci says, “I don’t regret saying the only way we could have really stopped the explosion of infection was by essentially, I want to say shutting down. I mean, essentially having the physical separation and the kinds of recommendations that we’ve made.”
On social media, Paul commented that “even his retirement won’t save him from investigation.”
During the Keep Florida Free tour, DeSantis further commented on Dr. Fauci’s media appearances, expressing his disdain.
“I’m just sick of seeing him,” said Governor DeSantis, adding that “someone needs to grab that little elf and chuck him across the Potomac!”
