PARTING SHOT
Dr Fauci reveals he ISN’T leaving key role and is planning to meet Biden team today after months feuding with Trump
DR Anthony Fauci has revealed he is not leaving his key role and is planning to meet Joe Biden's team today after months of feuding with Donald Trump.
said on Thursday he was "almost certain" he would remain in his position as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
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Speaking on The Takeout podcast, told reporter Major Garrett: "I'm going to be meeting with them today, by Zoom, by virtually.
"So today will be the first day where there will be substantive discussions about the transition between me and the Biden team.
"I'm very pleased that today we're having the first discussion about a number of things, vaccinations and things like that.
"I am almost certain that he's going to want me to [remain as director of NIAID], because that's what I do."
Fauci has already met with incoming Chief of Staff Ron Klain, he said in the interview.
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Fauci has become the most high-profile member of task force in the months since the pandemic began, often clashing with Trump on how to protect Americans.
CNN also confirmed the meeting.
During his interview with CBS, Fauci appeared to take a dig at the amount of time the transition from to Biden is taking.
"Having served six administrations, I've been through five transitions, and I know that transitions are really important if you want to get a smooth handing over of the responsibility," he said.
"I would have liked to have seen us getting involved with the team as early as we possibly can because we want the smooth transition to occur.
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"Everyone believes that a smooth transition is certainly better than no transition."
Over the recent months, Fauci and Trump have had a heated relationship.
Speaking at a rally in in November, Trump suggested after the crowd broke into a "Fire Fauci" chant.
After the chant's against the infectious disease expert broke out in Miami Opa-Locka airport, Trump replied: “Don’t tell anybody, but let me wait until a little bit after the election.
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"I appreciate the advice, I appreciate it," Trump said – but hit back at the president's remarks.
Speaking in a drive-in rally in Cleveland, , on Monday, the former Vice President said: “Last night, Trump said he was going to fire Dr Fauci. Isn’t that wonderful.
“I got a better idea. Elect me and I’m gonna hire Dr. Fauci and we’re gonna fire Donald Trump!”
Fauci has served for more than three decades as the director of NIAID.
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In October, Trump slammed the doctor, calling him "an idiot."
"People are saying whatever. Just leave us alone. They're tired of it. People are tired of hearing and all these idiots..." said, according to .
Despite slamming the expert, the president went on to say "Fauci is a nice guy" before saying "he's been here for 500 years."
Fauci previously said the Covid-19 crisis will "continue for some time" in his latest disagreement with Trump, who said it would "disappear."
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Back in July, , CDC boss Robert Redfield and HHS Testing Czar Admiral Brett Giroir testified before the House Select Subcommittee on the Crisis in
“While it remains unclear how long the pandemic will last, COVID-19 activity will likely continue for some time," Fauci, Redfield and Giroir said.
"I do not believe that it will disappear. It is unlikely that it will disappear," Fauci told lawmakers after confirming that to the deadly bug.
"I think there was such a diversity of response from different states that we didn't have a unified bringing [cases] down," he added.
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In one of the most notable digs, Trump said Fauci's pitching as ""
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Trump tweeted: "Actually, Tony's pitching arm is far more accurate than his prognostications. "No problem, no masks". WHO no longer likes Lockdowns - just came out against. Trump was right. We saved 2,000,000 USA lives!!!"
The president was referencing a viral video of the coronavirus doctor which circulated back in July of Fauci throwing a wayward first pitch at a Washington Nationals game.
Dr Fauci warns it will be 'months' before children get Covid vaccine because they need to be tested on adults first
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