Congressional hearings

Trust is a behavior, not a credential – and that explains the Rodgers-Fauci divide

<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/754454/original/file-20260817-50-dgkbux.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.1&rect=0%2C0%2C1024%2C682&q=45&auto=format&w=1050&h=700&fit=crop" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers recently called Dr. Anthony Fauci an 'absolute coward' and a 'criminal.'</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aaron-rodgers-of-the-pittsburgh-steelers-stands-for-the-news-photo/2256504852?slot=6&adppopup=true">Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images Sport </a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Following an appearance on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoaLJzKPo84">The Pat McAfee Show</a> on Aug. 3, 2026, Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, received attention for calling Dr. Anthony Fauci an “absolute coward” and “criminal.” Rodgers’ comments were in response to Fauci invoking his Fifth Amendment rights at a <a href="