I spoke with @bryancurtis some weeks back about the challenges of covering the Trump administration and getting access to certain officials.
Having just done it, I think interviewing Fauci represents a special challenge and want to explain a bit what I mean. (Short thread.)
First, there’s the balance of interviewing a public health expert during a pandemic - and also as we probe Trump’s response.
How much of the interview should be what *the public* needs to know about a health threat vs stories that my colleagues and I are chasing?
Then there’s a timing factor to find 30 min and get approval; this interview was in the works for weeks.
So the plan shifts with the news; some of the original questions I had about Fauci and the White House’s media blackout were old news, eg.
That also gets to another challenge: Fauci’s gone from doing very little press in May/June to being far more ubiquitous.
So what questions can I ask that, say, CNN’s Sanjay Gupta hasn’t asked him just an hour before? (Or what did he say to Gupta that I can push deeper on?)
Also tricky: Fauci has been dancing through media interviews longer than I’ve been alive. He’s nearly impossible to trip up and will dodge follow-ups. So a question about his relationship with Trump or politics can end up eating clock — but ignoring the topic isn’t responsible.
As a result, I‘d argue that one of the most valuable uses of time with Fauci is asking direct questions where he has in-the-room knowledge, like recent claims about Kushner and testing, and where Fauci’s credibility sets him apart from asking the same Q to other officials.
Lastly, Fauci gets so many of same Qs, so it would be fun to quiz him on personal history … tho not the best use of time with expert during pandemic.
But look at how he came alive for this question about NBA legend (and fellow Holy Cross alum) Bob Cousy after podcast was over.
Anyhow, here’s the full podcast. (As is often the case, I thought of 5 questions I could’ve asked Fauci differently.) Many thanks to folks who suggested topics to raise. https://t.co/YRKL59fMCk
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