Topline
The White House press secretary called Twitter and Tesla head Elon Musk’s tweets attacking National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Anthony Fauci “disgusting” and “extremely dangerous” on Monday, after Musk tweeted that Fauci should be prosecuted.
Elon Musk is seen arriving to Heidi Klum’s 21st Annual Halloween Party at Sake No Hana at Moxy Lower … [+]
Key Facts
When asked during a Monday press conference about Musk’s tweets, Karine Jean-Pierre said the “personal attacks” against Fauci and other health professionals are “divorced from reality.”
Jean-Pierre said Fauci has served under both Democratic and Republican presidents, and these attacks “should be called out,” though she did not mention Musk by name.
Key Background
On Sunday, “Chief Twit” Musk tweeted a meme of Fauci encouraging Biden to put the U.S. under another lockdown, and said that his pronouns are “Prosecute/Fauci.” When called out for mocking the LGBTQ community, Musk said the “tide is starting to turn on the mortal threat to civilization that is the woke mind virus.” Musk also agreed with a tweet which repeated an unfounded claim Fauci “lied under oath” about the origins of Covid-19. That same day, Musk was booed when he was brought on stage at a San Francisco comedy show featuring Dave Chapelle and Chris Rock.
Chief Critic
Musk’s remarks about Fauci were criticized by Democratic lawmakers including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) and Reps. Richie Torres (N.Y) and Dean Philips (Minn.). Former CIA director John Brennan also tweeted in Fauci’s support.
Tangent
Fauci, 81, will be retiring from government service by the end of the year.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/12/12/white-house-calls-musks-tweets-about-fauci-incredibly-dangerous-and-disgusting/