"On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service," Dr. Anthony S. Fauci's upcoming book, describes his challenging encounters with President Donald J. Trump in the first year of the coronavirus pandemic. Fauci received a call from Trump on June 3, 2020. He recounts that the president was furious because he had implied that the vaccinations being developed might not offer lifetime immunity. This incident marked the beginning of Fauci experiencing the president's ire directly despite Trump's conflicting expressions of affection.

A Complicated Relationship with Trump

Fauci describes his relationship with Trump as "complicated," involving moments of Trump expressing affection while berating him with strong language. During the call, Trump accused Fauci of harming the economy by not being more optimistic about vaccine progress, which he believed affected the stock market negatively.

Trump was upset when Fauci told a journalist that immunity to coronaviruses typically lasts six months to a year, implying that COVID-19 vaccines might require booster shots. Despite Fauci clarifying that this timeframe is typical for viruses like the flu, some media outlets incorrectly reported that the COVID-19 vaccine would only provide short-term protection. Trump was displeased with this interpretation. Fauci wrote that following the phone call, Trump issued an apology to him via an "intermediary."

A Lifetime of Public Service

Fauci's book spans his life, from his Brooklyn childhood to his 54-year career at the National Institutes of Health, 38 of them as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The autobiography, set to be released on June 18, dedicates about 70 pages to the first year of the pandemic, offering a nuanced critique of Trump and his administration's handling of the crisis.

Fauci has led the country through several infectious disease threats and served under seven presidents. However, the coronavirus outbreak turned him into a polarizing figure, especially with Republicans and Trump fans. Republican lawmakers had accused Fauci of funding research that sparked the pandemic or of hiding the notion that it originated in a lab. Fauci disputed their claims.

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Battling Public Health Crises Amidst Political Turbulence

Fauci's book emphasizes the unprecedented difficulties of working with the Trump administration. It points out Trump's contempt for the truth and his hostile attitude toward the media. He recounts Trump's obsession with ratings and economic performance, often overshadowing scientific guidance. Trump's reliance on advisors, who were often critical of Fauci, exacerbated tensions.

Fauci's memoir highlights the administration's struggles with the president's resistance to public health measures like masking, his push to reopen the country, his reliance on advisers with questionable qualifications promoting unproven treatments, his bizarre suggestion that bleach could kill the virus, and his eventual hospitalization with COVID-19.

Fauci recounts a significant early encounter with Trump at a White House event where Trump revealed he had never received a flu shot, displaying a lack of understanding about vaccines that shocked Fauci. This lack of awareness became a recurring theme in their interactions.

Fauci was faced with a hostile media campaign against him. He once received a letter that contained white powder, which he thought might be anthrax. Later on, the powder was proven safe.

One notable moment was a January 29, 2020, meeting where Fauci briefed Trump on the emerging virus in China. Despite a shared New York background, their relationship quickly soured as Trump promoted unproven treatments like hydroxychloroquine, which Fauci had to refute publicly.

Fauci's portrayal of the Trump administration includes an instance where Trump, obsessed with television ratings, called Fox News host Sean Hannity to boast about viewership after a coronavirus briefing. This anecdote encapsulates Trump's preoccupation with media perception over public health messaging.

Fauci's book gives an insider's view on handling the intersection of science and politics during a major public health crisis. It candidly explores the challenges and personal experiences of guiding the nation's health response amid a controversial administration.

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