Donald Trump called Fauci and other health experts "idiots"

On a phone call with campaign staff, Trump claimed Fauci was a "disaster" and called him and other health experts "idiots".

On a phone call with campaign staff, Trump claimed Fauci was a "disaster" and called him and other health experts "idiots".In September, President Donald Trump lambasted Dr Anthony Fauci on a phone call with campaign staff. During this call—which reporters were allowed to listen in on—Trump called the infectious diseases expert a "disaster", saying "people are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots".

CBS had recently aired its "60 Minutes" interview with Fauci. During this interview, Fauci had said he was not surprised that Trump contracted COVID-19, as Trump had been attending crowded events full of people not wearing masks.

In the phone call, Trump also said that "every time [Fauci] goes on television there is always a bomb, but there's a bigger bomb if you fire him."

He later changes tack in October, calling Fauci a "very nice man" who he doesn't want to fire.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.