Fauci Warns Against ‘Normalization Of Untruths’ At Princeton Class Day

PRINCETON, NJ - Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), spoke to Princeton's graduating class of 2022 on Monday, highlighting the lack of health equity and the collective responsibility against the “normalization of untruths.”

Fauci was this year's Class Day Speaker at Princeton University. In the University's first in-person Class Day in two years, Fauci was inducted as an honorary class member during the celebration and didn't mince words when talking about how COVID-19 divided the nation.

"I have spent my entire professional career in Washington, D.C., as a scientist, a physician, and a public health official. Although that career path is fundamentally devoid of politics in the classic sense, being in Washington has allowed me to experience first-hand the intensity of the divisiveness in our nation," Fauci told graduates.

"What troubles me is that differences of opinion or ideology have in certain situations been reflected by egregious distortions of reality. Sadly, elements of our society have grown increasingly inured to a cacophony of falsehoods and lies that often stand largely unchallenged, ominously leading to an insidious acceptance of what I call the “normalization of untruths”.”

Fauci said he saw falsehoods propagated through certain platforms and some elected officials in positions of power. "Yet, the outrage and dissent against this alarming trend has been muted and mild," he said.

"It is our collective responsibility not to shrug our shoulders and sink to a tacit acceptance of the normalization of untruths. Because if we do, lies become dominant and reality is distorted. And then truth means nothing, integrity means nothing, facts mean nothing.," Fauci said.

During his speech, Fauci spoke about the profound ways in which COVID-19 disrupted student life and "left an indelible mark on you and your entire generation. "

The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said he was in awe of the students and that he respected their adaptability, resilience, and dedication to learning despite the difficulties and uncertainties.

Going forward, he asked students to keep an open mind and not to shy away from dreaming the impossible and "seizing unanticipated opportunities."

He told students to expect the unexpected and listen to advise of others, but at the end of the day, to "go with your own gut."

"Seek and listen to opinions that differ from your own. But apply your abilities to critically analyze and examine, which you have honed here at Princeton, to discern and challenge weak assertions built on untruths," Fauci said. "As future leaders in our society, we are counting on you for that."

The Class Day celebration took place at Cannon Green with 1,234 members of the Class of 2022 in attendance, along with their family and friends. The graduation ceremony will be held Tuesday.

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