Topline
Dr. Scott Atlas, one of President Trump’s top Covid-19 advisers who has doubted the effectiveness of masks to curb the spread of coronavirus and repeatedly railed against lockdown measures, apologized Sunday for sitting down for an interview with RT, a Russian media outlet funded by the Kremlin—a striking admission that could raise questions about the judgement of an official with the president’s ear.
US President Donald Trump (L) listens to White House coronavirus adviser Dr. Scott Atlas speak … [+]
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
In a tweet, Atlas says he was “unaware” the media outlet was registered as a “foreign agent.”
He also apologized, saying he regretted doing the interview, and “for allowing myself to be taken advantage of.”
In the interview, Atlas blasted lockdown measures that have been used to slow the spread of coronavirus, claiming they were “killing” Americans.
Atlas was criticized for sitting down for the interview in the first place, and the White House has said the doctor did not have clearance, CNN reports.
Chief Critic
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is on the coronavirus task force with Atlas, criticized the doctor during an interview with the Washington Post this past week. “I have real problems with that guy,” Fauci told the Post. “He’s a smart guy who’s talking about things that I believe he doesn’t have any real insight or knowledge or experience in. He keeps talking about things that when you dissect it out and parse it out, it doesn’t make any sense.”
Key Background
RT registered with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2017 as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).
Surprising Fact
Atlas waited more than 24 hours after the RT interview ran to apologize.
Tangent
Earlier this month, Twitter removed a tweet from Atlas in which he questioned the effectiveness of face coverings. “Masks work? NO” Atlas said in the tweet.
Further Reading
Twitter Removes Tweet From Top Trump Covid Adviser Doubting Mask Effectiveness (Forbes)
New Trump pandemic adviser pushes controversial ‘herd immunity’ strategy, worrying public health officials (Washington Post)
