Oct 13, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Trump: Fauci's "pitching arm is far more accurate than his prognostications"

Fauci testifying on Capitol Hill in July. Photo: Erin Scott/Pool/Getty Images

President Trump blasted Dr. Anthony Fauci's coronavirus response in a Tuesday tweet, saying that the doctor's "pitching arm is far more accurate than his prognostications."

The state of play: The president's criticism comes after Fauci balked over the weekend at a clip of him being used in a Trump campaign ad touting the president's actions during the pandemic.

  • The ad features a clip of Fauci saying, "I can't imagine that ... anybody could be doing any more." The campaign edited the clip to make it appear as if Fauci was talking about Trump. Fauci said that he made the comments months ago and was speaking broadly about the efforts of federal health officials.
  • "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," Fauci told CNN.
  • The Trump campaign said the clip "is from a nationally broadcast television interview in which Dr. Fauci was praising the work of the Trump administration."

The big picture: The Trump administration has faced criticism for silencing Fauci and other top health officials, who have frequently been forced to correct the president's misleading claims about the coronavirus.

Flashback: Trump's tweet mocked Fauci's appearance to throw out the first pitch at Opening Day for the MLB's Washington Nationals in July — and the doctor's pitch was notably off-target.

Go deeper

Rebecca Falconer
Updated 17 hours ago - World

Australian city Melbourne to exit one of world's longest lockdowns

People socially distance at St. Kilda beach in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Coronavirus restrictions in Victoria, Australia, will ease and state capital Melbourne's lockdown will end after officials recorded Monday no new cases for the first time in 139 days, state Premier Dan Andrews announced.

Why it matters: The state has been the epicenter of Australia's pandemic and Melbourne has endured one of the world's longest lockdowns. The measure will have been in place for 112 days when it lifts late Tuesday.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Axios
Updated 6 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Pence no longer expected at Amy Coney Barrett's final confirmation vote

Photo: Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images

Vice President Mike Pence no longer plans to attend the Senate's final confirmation vote for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a Pence aide confirmed to CNN and Politico on Monday. On Sunday, Senate Democrats claimed that his presence after possible exposure to the coronavirus would be a "violation of common decency."

Driving the news: Five of Pence's aides were recently diagnosed with COVID-19, including his chief of staff, who is currently quarantining. Pence has continued his campaign travel despite his possible exposure, which goes against CDC guidelines.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Bryan Walsh, author of Future
18 hours ago - Health

Rockefeller Foundation commits $1 billion for COVID-19 recovery

A health worker performs a COVID-19 test in New Delhi. Photo: Raj K Raj/Hindustan Times via Getty Images

The Rockefeller Foundation announced on Monday that it will allocate $1 billion over the next three years to address the pandemic and its aftermath.

Why it matters: The mishandled pandemic and the effects of climate change threaten to reverse global progress and push more than 100 million people into poverty around the world. Governments and big NGOs need to ensure that the COVID-19 recovery reaches everyone who needs it.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow