The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that President Donald Trump personally “authorized” and “encouraged” an op-ed by White House trade adviser Peter Navarro attacking Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Fauci is the nation’s top infectious-disease expert and a member of the White House coronavirus task force.
The LA Times’ reporting contradicts the White House’s claim from earlier Wednesday that it did not sign off on the Navarro op-ed and he broke protocol by publishing it.
Trump and his allies have leveled a string of public attacks against Fauci in recent days, accusing him of mishandling the coronavirus outbreak and circulating a list of talking points, characterized as opposition research, against him.
The attacks also come as Trump is reportedly rattled by Fauci’s soaring reputation with the American public, his approval rating on handling the pandemic, and his frequent television appearances.
The White House said Wednesday it did not sign off on a controversial op-ed that trade adviser Peter Navarro wrote attacking Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious-disease expert and a member of the White House coronavirus task force, characterizing it as “the opinion of Peter alone.”