Newly revealed diary entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. infectious disease official, show that he privately took credit for convincing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to close schools, bars, and restaurants in March 2020, according to a Fox News report. The entries, which Fauci had previously denied authoring, indicate he personally advocated for the lockdown measures despite his public statements to the contrary. The report has ignited debate about Fauci's role in early pandemic response. However, not all news outlets focused on this aspect. Coverage from STAT News, for instance, highlighted other health topics from the diaries, including data on American substance use and concerns about a global HIV resurgence, rather than the lockdown claim. The diary entries themselves have not been made publicly available in full, and Fauci has not commented on the specific Fox News story. The differing coverage underscores the contentious nature of pandemic policy decisions and the varying interpretations of Fauci’s actions. The claim adds to ongoing scrutiny of Fauci’s influence during the early months of the COVID-19 crisis.