Fauci on if he'd want to stay in his post if Trump wins another term: 'Well, no'

Dr. Anthony Fauci isn't interested in serving under former President Donald Trump again.
The nation's top infectious disease expert told CNN he wouldn't serve under Trump should the former president be elected to a second term in 2024. CNN's Jim Acosta asked Fauci if he would "want to stay on in your post" if Trump, who has not officially announced a 2024 bid, returns to the White House. Fauci laughed and responded, "Well, no."
Fauci is currently chief medical adviser to President Biden, and he has served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984. In March, the 81-year-old said he wouldn't want to consider potentially retiring until the United States is "really out of" the pandemic.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In the CNN interview, Fauci was also asked if he would have confidence in Trump's ability to handle COVID-19 or "some other public health emergency" in a potential second term. "If you look at the history of what the response was during the administration, I think at best you can say it wasn't optimal," Fauci said. "And I think history will speak for itself about that."
During the Trump administration, Fauci frequently broke from the president when he made false or misleading claims about the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking with Chris Wallace last month, Fauci said it was "very painful" to have to "go to the podium and say, 'I'm sorry, I disagree with you.'"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
5 cartoons about the TACO trade
Cartoons Political cartoonists take on America's tariffs, Vladimir Putin waiting for taco Tuesday, and a new presidential seal
-
A city of culture in the high Andes
The Week Recommends Cuenca is a must-visit for those keen to see the 'real Ecuador'
-
The Chagos Islands: Starmer's 'lousy deal'
Talking Point The PM's adherence to 'legalism' has given Mauritius a 'gift from British taxpayers'
-
White House tackles fake citations in MAHA report
speed read A federal government public health report spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was rife with false citations
-
Judge blocks push to bar Harvard foreign students
speed read Judge Allison Burroughs sided with Harvard against the Trump administration's attempt to block the admittance of international students
-
Trump's trade war whipsawed by court rulings
Speed Read A series of court rulings over Trump's tariffs renders the future of US trade policy uncertain
-
What's next for Elon Musk?
Today's Big Question The world's richest man has become 'disillusioned' with politics – but returning to his tech empire presents its own challenges
-
Trump's super-charged pardon push raises eyebrows and concerns
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Never shy about using his pardon ability for political leverage, Trump's spate of amnesty announcements suggests the White House is taking things to a new level
-
Elon Musk departs Trump administration
speed read The former DOGE head says he is ending his government work to spend more time on his companies
-
Trump taps ex-personal lawyer for appeals court
speed read The president has nominated Emil Bove, his former criminal defense lawyer, to be a federal judge
-
US trade court nullifies Trump's biggest tariffs
speed read The US Court of International Trade says Trump exceeded his authority in imposing global tariffs