MSNBC Doc On Criticism, ‘It’s a Tough Time to Be A Scientist’

Andrea Mitchell condemned Republicans who dare to criticize Dr. Anthony Fauci before the 2022 midterms. Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Hotez stated that criticisms towards Fauci and him are evidence that this is a “tough time to be an scientist.”

Mitchell was unable to understand the reason anyone could be so critical of Fauci. Politics is the only plausible explanation. “And the New York Times has focused on the continuing threats that the Republicans in an almost in an organized way, Republicans running for office, turning Dr. Fauci into some type of boogeyman or enemyShe said, 

Is it their attempt to win Trump voters with this tactic? It’s a way to try and win Trump voters. know you don’t delve into politics, but what kind of crisis is this for people in public healthShe wondered.

It is absurd to suggest that Hotez doesn’t “delve into politics”. Hotez does not accept criticism. NewsBustersFauci has been compared to the epitome of science, and he is well.

So, it was not surprising when Hotez got political: “It’s, it’s awful and, you know, I had Fox News target me for two nights last week and it’s, it’s very scary when that happens because there’s a lot of followers who then send you threats and you have to bring in security and it, it causes a lot of disruption and fear.”

Hotez naturally left out that he was criticised for telling the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security more on the issue “anti-science empire,” among other things.

Adding to his sense of martyrdom on behalf of science, Hotez declared: “I understand what Tony’s going through and so this has become part of the new, new aspect of what the far-right has been doing, not only working to discredit the scientists, the science, but actually discrediting individual scientists and, and going after them so this is, it’s a tough time to be a scientist, as we say.”

Mitchell wrapped up the segment and the show by agreeing, “Which is why we’re all so grateful to you and to Dr. Fauci as well for just putting up with this.”

Hotez may want to be above political criticism. But when you make the claim that you’re superior and that your critics should be pursued by government officials, you are sure to get criticized.

This segment was sponsored and produced by Subway.

The February 7, 2018 broadcast transcript is available here:

MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports
2/7/2022
12:00 PM ET

ANDREA MITCHELL New York Times has focused on the continuing threats that the Republicans in an almost in an organized way, Republicans running for office, turning Dr. Fauci into some type of boogeyman or enemy. Are they trying to attract Trump voters with this tactic? I mean, I know you don’t delve into politics, but what kind of crisis is this for people in public health.

PETER HOTEZ : Yes. Yeah no, it’s, it’s awful and, you know, I had Fox News target me for two nights last week and it’s, it’s very scary when that happens because there’s a lot of followers who then send you threats and you have to bring in security and it, it causes a lot of disruption and fear. So, I, I understand what Tony’s going through and so this has become part of the new, new aspect of what the far-right has been doing, not only working to discredit the scientists, the science, but actually discrediting individual scientists and, and going after them so this is, it’s a tough time to be a scientist, as we say.

MITCHELL: Which is why we’re all so grateful to you and to Dr. Fauci as well …

HOTEZ: We are grateful

MITCHELL: … for just putting up with this.