The View co-host Meghan McCain took aim at the media for their treatment of Dr. Anthony Fauci following a contentious press conference appearance by the expert virologist.
“The press cannot talk to Dr. Fauci like he’s Sean Spicer,” the conservative commentator said on Tuesday’s show. “He seems to be the only person holding this country together and giving people on both sides good faith on what’s happening going forward.”
McCain described the press conferences as “kabuki theater” and said Fauci “deserves a lot more respect” from the media.
During Monday’s White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases snapped at a reporter who asked whether President Trump had pressured him into clarifying remarks he made over the weekend that indicated he received “pushback” on his recommendations for the administration’s COVID-19 response.
“Everything I do is voluntarily. Please. Don’t even imply that,” he said in an exasperated tone.
Earlier in the day, the White House denied speculation that Trump may fire Fauci after the president shared a tweet from someone with the hashtag “FireFauci.”
Fauci has used the term “ridiculous” when asked if there was a growing rift between him and the president.
“The president has listened to what I have said and to what the other people on the task force have said. When I have made recommendations, he has taken them. He’s never countered or overridden me. The idea of just pitting one against the other is just not helpful,” he said last month.
