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Trump insists Fauci's words were not 'out of context' in campaign ad, Internet says expert should endorse Biden

Fauci explained how his words had been taken out of context because he never meant to endorse Trump, unlike what was shown in the GOP campaign clip

The country's top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci, who rarely gets involved in political matters, was forced to comment on an advertisement released by the Trump campaign after his words were taken "out of context" to make it seem like he was endorsing President Donald Trump. 

The 30-second campaign ad in question was released on Saturday, October 10, which focused on how Trump’s administration has responded to the Covid-19 pandemic. It included a clip of Fauci saying he “can’t imagine that anybody could be doing more" which was taken from a March interview of the specialist where Fauci was referring to how the government was responding to the coronavirus and not Trump specifically.

In the clip, he was heard saying, “We’re talking about all hands on deck. I, as one of many people on a team, I’m not the only person. Since the beginning, that we even recognized what this was, I have been devoting almost full time on this. I’m down at the White House virtually every day with the task force … It’s every single day. So, I can’t imagine that under any circumstances that anybody could be doing more.”

In a statement to CNN following the release of the ad, Fauci explained how his words had been taken out of context because he never meant to endorse Trump. “In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed nor do I now endorse any political candidates,” Fauci said in a statement. “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.”

However, Fauci's explanation seemed to fall on deaf ears, as both the Trump campaign as well as the POTUS doubled down on Fauci's words spoken at the interview insisting that they were in the right context. A spokesperson for the campaign, Tim Murtaugh responded, “These are Dr Fauci’s own words. The video is from a nationally broadcast television interview in which Dr Fauci was praising the work of the Trump administration. The words spoken are accurate, and directly from Dr. Fauci’s mouth.”

Shortly after, Trump himself tweeted: "They are indeed Dr Fauci’s own words. We have done a 'phenomenal' job, according to certain governors. Many people agree...And now come the Vaccines & Cures, long ahead of projections!"

Vox reporter Aaron Rupar, who had been following the story and sharing updates on the same, expressed his thoughts on Fauci choosing not to take sides in political matters. "I get why Fauci doesn’t endorse politicians but my god man, if there was ever a time to start ..." he tweeted. 

Soon others joined in with similar thoughts. "Dr. Fauci SHOULD endorse someone: @JoeBiden. It would be the best anti-pandemic strategy that Fauci could adopt at this point," one wrote, while another commented, "I’m not saying fauci should endorse Biden as a big f**k you to trump, but I’m saying he should because at least someone believes in scientist and doctors"

A third remarked, "Dr. Anthony Fauci has no choice but endorse Joe Biden." One more user opined, "I respect Dr. Fauci. He need to get his little azz on 60 minutes and endorse Biden" And another said, "Perhaps it’s time that Dr Fauci DOES endorse a candidate - Biden!"

In the past few months, it has become clear that Fauci and Trump have not always agreed on how to handle the pandemic, which has killed more than 214,000 in the United States. Opinion polls show most voters disapprove of the president’s handling of the crisis. In fact, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recently slammed the White House for its 'super-spreader event' as responsible for the outbreak of infections among Trump and his close aides. The infectious disease expert was referring to the nomination ceremony for Judge Amy Coney Barrett in the White House Rose Garden on September 26. Many cases have been identified among attendees at this largely mask-free event last month.