Dr. Anthony Fauci’s private diary entries directly contradict his repeated public denials about recommending COVID-19 lockdowns, according to newly revealed excerpts that show the former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease director personally advised government leaders to shut down schools, restaurants, bars, and entire cities during the pandemic’s early months.

Private Admissions Versus Public Denials

In a March 15, 2020 diary entry labeled “BIG DAY!” in red letters, Fauci documented his conversation with then-New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The entry reveals Fauci convinced de Blasio to close city schools based on his public statements and private advice. The same day, Fauci recorded advising California Governor Gavin Newsom’s chief of staff that led to closing schools, bars, and restaurants statewide. These admissions stand in stark contrast to his 2022 statement to ABC News insisting he “had nothing to do” with school closures.

During a 2022 interview with The Hill, Fauci stated he “didn’t recommend locking anything down.” Two years later, testifying before the House Oversight Committee on January 9, 2024, he again denied responsibility, saying “I did not close the schools” and claiming he became a “political target.” His private diary entries from March 2020 tell a different story, documenting direct recommendations to shut down major American cities.

Documented Role in Extended Shutdown Measures

Five days after his initial school closure recommendations, Fauci’s diary reveals he advised de Blasio to implement a shelter-in-place order for the entire city, despite pushback from then-Governor Andrew Cuomo. On March 29, 2020, Fauci described a meeting with President Donald Trump as having “a good outcome” because they convinced Trump to extend lockdowns to 30 days instead of ending mitigation measures after the initial 15-day period. Fauci’s entries show he feared ending restrictions early “would be a disaster.”

The diary also documents a November 28, 2020 call from Mark Ghaly, Deputy Director for Community Health for Los Angeles County, who sought Fauci’s support for a three-week city shutdown. Ghaly’s “frantic call” cited surging cases and potential hospital overflow, requesting Fauci’s backing despite “large pushback to locking down.”

What This Means

The contradiction between Fauci’s private documentation and public statements raises serious questions about transparency during the pandemic response. These diary entries provide evidence that contradicts years of public denials about his role in lockdown decisions that affected millions of American families, businesses, and schoolchildren. The revelations may fuel ongoing debates about accountability for pandemic-era policies and their lasting economic and educational impacts on American communities.