Fauci’s Post-Government Payday: Millions Earned While Public Trust Dwindled
Former White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci has enjoyed a lucrative “retirement,” raking in over $3.5 million in the year following his departure from government service, according to financial disclosures obtained by watchdog group Open the Books.
The documents reveal that while millions of Americans faced economic devastation from COVID-era lockdowns, Fauci was quietly cashing in on his pandemic fame — through book deals, speaking engagements, academic appointments, and undisclosed deposits that totaled more than $1.15 million in 2023 alone.
From Pandemic Bureaucrat to Millionaire Author
In March 2023, Fauci reportedly sold his memoir to a Penguin Random House subsidiary for a staggering $5 million. The deal was finalized at the same time that a congressional memo revealed Fauci had privately encouraged the drafting of a scientific paper that dismissed the possibility of a lab-leak origin for COVID-19 — a theory many scientists and lawmakers now consider credible.
Only weeks after signing his book deal, Fauci began a prestigious new role as a distinguished professor at Georgetown University, holding appointments in both the School of Medicine and School of Public Policy. His move into academia further solidified his post-government reinvention as a thought leader, despite mounting scrutiny over his actions during the pandemic.
Lavish Speaking Gigs and Awards
Fauci’s financial success was not limited to publishing and academia. He also received payments for high-profile speaking appearances, including events hosted by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). He was photographed at these engagements flanked by taxpayer-funded security.
He was also the recipient of several prestigious awards in 2023, including Columbia University’s Calderone Prize ($50,000) and the National Academy of Medicine’s Lienhard Prize ($40,000).
Retirement Comes With Record-Breaking Government Benefits
Fauci’s last year in government made history. His 2022 salary reached $480,654 — the highest ever earned by a federal employee, exceeding even the President of the United States. According to Open the Books, Fauci continues to receive a six-figure pension, maintaining his position as one of the most highly compensated public-sector retirees in American history.
Watchdog Blasts Fauci’s Pandemic Profiteering
“Dr. Fauci’s assets soared during the worst of the draconian Covid lockdowns while families and small businesses struggled through school closures and lost income,” said John Hart, CEO of Open the Books. “Now it’s clear the cash kept coming during his first year of ‘retirement.’ He was rubbing elbows with groups like AHIP flanked by taxpayer-funded security — even as his wife remained the top bioethicist at NIH.”
The revelation comes amid renewed scrutiny from Congress over Fauci’s influence during the early days of the pandemic, including his role in suppressing scientific debate around the origins of the virus and his coordination with researchers who later testified before lawmakers about their private communications with him.
Biden Pardoned Fauci in Final Days of His Presidency
Adding a dramatic twist to the saga, Fauci was issued a blanket pardon by President Joe Biden on January 20, 2025. The pardon covers any potential crimes committed by Fauci since 2014, effectively shielding him from prosecution just as Republican-led investigations have intensified.
The decision to pardon Fauci is likely to further fuel partisan outrage and deepen public skepticism toward the federal pandemic response. Critics see it as a final act of protection by an outgoing administration, while Fauci’s defenders argue it shields a public servant who faced unprecedented pressure and scrutiny.
As revelations continue to unfold, one fact remains undisputed: while America struggled, Anthony Fauci cashed in.
