In diary, Fauci scoffed at moment Trump suggested ingesting bleach: ‘Thank God I was not there’

“The presser was a disaster for the POTUS,” Fauci wrote. “The POTUS incredibly made the comment that one should consider injecting or swallowing these disinfectants (including Clorox-like substances) as a ‘cure.’ Deb almost fainted on stage. Thank God I was not there.”

Fauci wrote that the briefing overshadowed a Department of Homeland Security presentation on research suggesting sunlight, heat, and humidity could reduce the virus’s viability. Instead, he said, media coverage focused on Trump’s clash with scientists, particularly Fauci.

According to Fauci’s account, Birx later called him after Trump summoned her to the Oval Office following the briefing.

“He started yelling at her saying, ‘You and Fauci have destroyed the country and the economy. I should never have listened to you. You have completely destroyed us,’” Fauci wrote, adding that Trump repeated the accusation several times.

Birx worked closely with Fauci during the COVID-19 pandemic, though she was often seen as more deferential to Trump between the two. Fauci has continued to draw the ire of Trump and his allies after reports alleging he hid information about the coronavirus’s origins.

Fauci’s Fifth Amendment answers may test Biden pardon as GOP eyes contempt

During Wednesday’s hearing, Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times as Paul questioned him about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paul has since scheduled a committee meeting for Aug. 5 to consider whether Fauci should be held in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer lawmakers’ questions.