Fauci Tells Maddow How Science Was ‘Distorted,’ ‘Rejected’ in Trump Administration

Dr. Anthony Fauci told Rachel Maddow on Friday how the Trump administration stifled the recommendations of scientists for how to handle the coronavirus pandemic.

“We had a situation where science was distorted and/or rejected. And a lot of pressure was put on individuals and organizations to do things that were not directly related to what their best opinion would be, vis-a-vis the science,” Fauci explained.

“I had pressure put on me, but I resisted it.”

Fauci’s comments marked his first interview since the Trump administration ended, and the nation’s leading infectious disease doctor sounded relieved to no longer be shadowed by certain figures.

Some in the administration, Fauci said, were “saying things that just were not consistent with the science.”

“I didn’t want to be at odds with the president, because I have a lot of respect for the office of the presidency,” he said regarding the difficult position he was in. “But there was conflict at different levels with different people and different organizations, and a lot of pressure being put on us to do things that just were not capable with the science.”

Fauci added that he had wanted to appear on Maddow’s show during his time in the Trump administration but had been “blocked.”

Watch the video above, via MSNBC.