EXCLUSIVE: My new special report in @VanityFair: a deep dive into @US_FDA #COVID19 response. Agency besieged w/ product pitches funneled from Trump @WhiteHouse, based on new internal docs and dozens of exclusive interviews, including w/ @SteveFDA. vanityfair.com/news/2021/01/h… /1
A special White House email was created for "‘concierge service’ on these offers and requests," according to email sent by former deputy @WHNSC director Matthew Pottinger in March. /2
Through that email poured a "tsunami" of pitches for COVID diagnostics, including from @itsmarlamaples @TheJillKelley and ventilators backed by @IvankaTrump. @DrPeterLurie calls this special access "Outrageous." /3
In March WH meeting, @ScottGottliebMD and Dr. Fauci fought to preserve @US_FDA authority on #hydroxychloroquine, after @SecAzar dangled stroke-of-pen authorization. Trump silenced Azar mob-style, w/ finger to lips. /4
As COVID spread, @US_FDA got early admonition from @HHSGOV to slow down early outreach to diagnostic test makers, and be "reactive," not "proactive," according to an internal email. /5
Career FDA officials besieged by Oleandrin pitches, backed by @MyPillowUSA CEO Mike Lindell. @US_FDA investigator uncovers: extract given to workers at TX meat-packing plant, nursing home, possible human subject violations. /6
Rookie commissioner @SteveFDA tells colleagues @HHSGov is "evil." Says to @VanityFair he found DC's political lies unnerving: "It is very unusual in hospital medicine that someone lies, because people die.” /END
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
