An upcoming book by Dr. Anthony Fauci about the coronavirus pandemic titled “Expect the Unexpected: Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, and the Way Forward,” was developed by National Geographic Books and is slated to publish in the fall.
Fauci isn’t making any money off the book. The book draws from Fauci’s interviews and speeches throughout the pandemic, and is being produced in connection with an upcoming National Geographic documentary film about him.
The earnings will go to the nonprofit National Geographic Society.
By Samantha Putterman
Dr. Anthony Fauci has an upcoming book about the lessons he’s learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The book, "Expect the Unexpected: Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, and the Way Forward," was developed by National Geographic Books and is scheduled to be released on Nov. 2, 2021.
Some online have criticized Fauci over the book, claiming that he’s cashing in on it while Americans continue to suffer.
"Tony Fauci will make millions off of a new book about ‘Truth’ while Americans continue to suffer because of his endless stream of lies over the past year," reads a June 1 tweet by Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA. "The highest paid employee of the federal government is set to profit even more off this pandemic. What a disgrace."
Kirk got one thing right — as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Fauci is the highest paid employee of the federal government.
But he isn’t going to profit from the book.
National Geographic Books developed the 80-page book in connection with an upcoming National Geographic documentary film about Fauci.
National Geographic spokesperson Chris Albert told PolitiFact that, although Fauci is listed as the author, he didn’t write anything specifically for the book. Instead, National Geographic drew from interviews and speeches delivered by Fauci for the book.
"He was not paid and will not earn any royalties from its publication or from the upcoming documentary," Albert said. The earnings will go to the National Geographic Society, as well as being re-invested in content. The nonprofit conservation and education group has a joint venture with Walt Disney Co. that manages the National Geographic portfolio of media operations, including TV channels, magazines and book publishing.
The claim comes after the release of thousands of emails to and from Fauci during the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak. The emails, which were obtained legally through Freedom of Information Requests, have fueled several misleading posts online.
On June 1, the book was posted for pre-sale online on Amazon and Barnes & Noble before it was quickly taken down. The move prompted some to claim it was fallout over Fauci’s emails, but Albert said it was because the pre-sale was prematurely posted. The date it will return is still being determined, he said.
We rate this post False.
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