Politics

Fauci Calls Sen. Marshall A ‘Moron’ On Hot Mic After Tense Exchange

[Twitter Screenshot Daniel Desrochers]

Brianna Lyman News and Commentary Writer
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White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci called Republican Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall a “moron” during Tuesday’s hearing on the coronavirus.

Marshall, who is also a doctor, questioned Fauci as to whether Fauci should have a publicly available financial disclosure form like other witnesses. Fauci said his financial disclosures have been public for years as he has been employed at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“My financial disclosures are public knowledge, and have been so. You are getting amazingly wrong information,” Fauci told Marshall, who said his office was unable to find the records.

“Where would they be if they’re public knowledge?” Marshall questioned.

“That is totally accessible to you if want it,” Fauci responded.

“For the public? Is it accessible to the public?” Marshall questioned. (RELATED: Dr. Fauci Holds Up ‘Fire Dr. Fauci’ Sign During Hearing With Sen. Rand Paul)

“To the public!” Fauci said. “You are totally incorrect.”

Democratic Washington Sen. Patricia Murray jumped in, telling Marshall that Fauci answered his question and that his records are public information.

Fauci, however, was caught on a hot mic calling Marshall “a moron.”

“Jesus Christ,” Fauci said rather exasperated.

Marshall later released a statement saying Fauci’s comment must’ve been a stress reliever.

“I understand that Anthony Fauci had a very frustrating day: having a bombshell report show he in fact did award U.S. tax dollars for gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and being called out about his personal financial disclosure during the COVID pandemic NOT being publically available must be very frustrating,” Marshall said.

“Calling me a moron during a Senate hearing may have alleviated the stress of the least trusted bureaucrat in America, but it didn’t take away from the facts.”

Fauci spat with Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul earlier in the day after Paul asked Fauci why he tried to suppress the lab-leak theory by dismissing the scientists who were exploring the possibility. Fauci accused Paul of “distorting everything about me” and being “incorrect.”

Fauci and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky testified before the Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions about the Biden Administration’s COVID-19 response.