Dr. Anthony Fauci’s private diary entries directly contradict his repeated public denials about recommending COVID-19 lockdowns, revealing he personally advised major city and state leaders to shut down schools, businesses, and entire communities during the pandemic’s early days.

Diary Entries Contradict Public Testimony

In a March 15, 2020 diary entry marked with red letters reading “BIG DAY!”, Fauci wrote that he convinced New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to close city schools based on his television appearances and direct phone conversations. The former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease director documented similar influence over California Governor Gavin Newsom, noting that Newsom decided to close schools, bars, and restaurants after watching Fauci’s media interviews. Fauci’s personal notes show he took clear credit for these shutdown decisions.

Yet in October 2022, Fauci told ABC News he had “nothing to do” with school closures. He repeated this claim to The Hill, stating he “didn’t recommend locking anything down.” During January 2024 House Oversight Committee testimony, Fauci again denied closing schools, claiming he became a “political target” over policies he insisted he didn’t support.

Advised Complete City Shutdowns

The diary reveals Fauci’s recommendations extended far beyond schools. On March 20, 2020, he documented advising de Blasio to implement shelter-in-place orders for all of New York City, even offering to speak with Governor Andrew Cuomo who was resisting the mayor’s shutdown plans. Five days earlier, Fauci had written that de Blasio agreed to close bars and restaurants “based on my recommendation.”

A March 29, 2020 entry describes a meeting with President Donald Trump, whom Fauci called “incorrigible.” The diary shows Fauci successfully convinced Trump to extend lockdowns beyond the initial 15-day period, writing that ending mitigation early “would be a disaster.” By November 2020, Fauci was still supporting shutdowns, offering backing to Los Angeles County officials seeking a three-week closure despite “large pushback.”

Questions About Pandemic Priorities

Critics now point to the contradiction between Fauci’s private documentation celebrating his influence and his public denials of involvement in lockdown policies. The diary entries suggest significant behind-the-scenes coordination with government leaders during March 2020, when lockdown measures rapidly spread across America. The revelations raise questions about accountability for pandemic policies that affected millions of Americans, closed businesses permanently, and disrupted children’s education for extended periods.