An inadvertent hot mic moment caught Dr. Anthony Fauci muttering under his breath, After a tense exchange with Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) over his finances, the hot mic overheard Fauci exclaiming “What a Moron!”

RELATED: FAUCI Act Aims to Ban US Funding of Gain of Function Research

Hot Mic Overhears Fauci Saying “What a Moron”

Fauci, the White House chief medical adviser, spent his Tuesday testifying before the Senate Health Committee.

The panel called on various government officials to discuss ways of dealing with COVID-19’s superspreader variant Omicron. 

Prior to the hot mic moment, Marshall was asking Fauci about his personal finances. He cited a Forbes report that said Fauci is the highest-paid federal employee at $434,312 in 2020. Marshall then asked Fauci if he was willing to disclose more of his financial records. 

Fauci Alluded To Marshall When He Said ‘What a Moron’

However, Fauci seemed incensed with Marshall’s question. He launched into a heated reply and insisted his finances are already on public record.

“I don't understand why you're asking me that question. My financial disclosure is public knowledge and has been so for the last 37 years or so,” he said. 

However, Marshall said that his office had trouble finding the information.”The big tech giants are doing an incredible job of keeping it from being public. We'll continue to look for it. Where would we find it?” Marshall replied.

Instead of answering directly, Fauci snapped at the Kansas senator. “All you have to do is ask for it. You're so misinformed, it's extraordinary,” he shot back. 

It was after their conversation when Fauci likely forgot to turn off his microphone. As a result, the Senate speakers picked up when he muttered “what a moron” as well as “Jesus Christ”.  

Marshall Issues Statement, Calls Fauci ‘Least Trusted Bureaucrat in America’

After the hearing, Marshall issued a statement responding to Fauci's comments. He said that Fauci calling him a moron may have offset the stress of the “least trusted bureaucrat in America.”

“I understand that Anthony Fauci had a very frustrating day. Having a bombshell report show he in fact did award US tax dollars for gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology,” Marshall said.

In addition, being called out that his finances weren’t available during the pandemic might have frustrated him as well. While Fauci might have relieved some stress by calling him a moron, “it didn’t take away from the facts.”

Fauci Earlier Clashed With Sen. Rand Paul

Earlier during the hearing, Fauci once again met his Senate nemesis, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). Fauci complained about the Senator’s seeming personal attacks against him.

He accused the senator of putting him and his family in danger. In addition, Fauci cited a recent report where police arrested a man carrying a firearm.

The suspect said he was traveling from Sacramento to DC to kill Dr. Fauci. The man reportedly carried an assault rifle and a kill list containing the names of Fauci, President Joe Biden, and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. 

Watch The Hill’s video coverage of a Fauci Hot Mic Moment: Fauci calls Republican Senator a moron following a fiery exchange: