Trump threatens to fire Dr Fauci in rift with disease expert

US President Donald Trump said he would fire Dr Anthony Fauci after Tuesday’s election, as his rift with the nation’s top infectious disease expert widens while the nation sees its most alarming outbreak of the coronavirus since the spring.   

Speaking at a campaign rally in Opa-locka, Florida, Trump expressed frustration that the surging cases of the virus — that has killed more than 230,000 Americans so far this year — remains prominent in the news, sparking chants of “Fire Fauci” from his supporters.   

“Don’t tell anybody but let me wait until a little bit after the election,” Trump replied to thousands of supporters just after midnight Monday, adding he appreciated their “advice”.   

Trump’s comments on Fauci less than 48 hours before polls close all but assure that his handling of the pandemic will remain front and centre heading into Election Day.   

It’s the most direct Trump has been in suggesting he was serious about trying to remove Fauci from his position.   
US, (Courtesy dawm.com/AP), 
2 November 2020