After a reporter questioned the origins of the COVID-19 virus, chaos broke out at Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci’s final press conference at the White House.
When a reporter from the New York Post (NYP), Diana Glebova, attempted to question Fauci about what he had personally done to look into the virus’s origins on Tuesday, the departing medical advisor was discussing the Covid response initiatives by the Biden administration. This quickly led to additional reporters shouting similar inquiries at the medical chief, necessitating the intervention of White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
“We have a process here…I’m not calling on people who yell”, says Dr. Fauci
“We have a process here…I’m not calling on people who yell and you’re being disrespectful to your colleagues and you’re being disrespectful to our guests. I will not call on you if you yell, and also you’re taking time off the clock because Dr. Fauci has to leave in a couple of minutes.”
But her efforts went in vain, as the NYP correspondent continued to press with her questions.
“I finish! ” Jean-Pierre shot back. “I’m not going to argue with you,” I said. Simon Ateba of Africa Today, a colleague of the NYP reporter, quickly offered assistance, telling Jean-Pierre to “allow her to ask the question… Dr. Fauci is the best person to respond to her question about COVID-19’s genesis.
Then, shouting back at him, Jean-Pierre said, “I hear the question! However, we’re not carrying out this as you would like! This shows disrespect. I’m through. I’m done, Simon. Right now, I’m done with you.