Trump Jealous of Dr. Fauci’s High Approval Ratings: ’Nobody Likes Me’

By Staff, Agencies

US President Donald Trump showed how jealous he is of the high ratings of the country’s top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, saying jokingly “nobody likes me”.

"It can only be my personality," Trump told reporters on Tuesday as his administration is under harsh criticism over its handling of the coronavirus resulting in him struggling to improve his standing with voters.

Trump’s disagreement with Fauci, and his failed approach to dealing with the pandemic has put him in jeopardy of losing the Nov. 3 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden.

On the other hand, Fauci, as one of the most trusted people in government, is respected by many Americans who listen to his advice diligently on how to protect themselves against the virus.

Unlike Fauci and most other public health experts, Trump defended his support for malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a hedge against the disease.

Health officials believe that the drug could lead to heart and other problems, with the US Food and Drug Administration last month revoking its emergency-use authorization for hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 following several studies that cast doubt on its effectiveness.

Trump, however, said he and others in his administration deserved praise and admiration too for their handling of the virus, not just Fauci and Deborah Birx, another prominent member of the task force.

"He's working with our administration and for the most part we have done pretty much what he and others, Dr. Birx and others, who are terrific, recommended. And he's got this high approval rating. So why don't I have a high approval rating and the administration with respect to the virus? We should have a very high [approval rating]," Trump said on Tuesday.

"So, it sort of is curious, a man works for us, and yet they're highly thought of and nobody likes me. It can only be my personality," he said.