Scott Atlas, who has emerged as one of US president Donald Trump’s chief advisers on the coronavirus pandemic, on Sunday apologised for accepting an interview with a broadcaster funded by the Russian government.
“I recently did an interview with RT and was unaware they are a registered foreign agent,” Dr Atlas wrote on Twitter.
“I regret doing the interview and apologise for allowing myself to be taken advantage of. I especially apologise to the national security community who is working hard to defend us.”
Dr Atlas, a neuroradiologist who joined the White House in August, has emerged as a public face of the US response to the pandemic, rivalling Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
He has contradicted Dr Fauci over mask-wearing and other measures designed to stem the spread of coronavirus. Last month, Twitter deleted a post by Dr Atlas, pictured, arguing that masks are ineffective.
The interview with RT, formerly Russia Today, was aired on Saturday.
In August, a top US intelligence official warned that Russian media would seek to interfere in the presidential election.
William Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, said Moscow was trying to “denigrate” and “undermine” the Democratic party’s candidate Joe Biden and what it sees as an “anti-Russia establishment”.
He also said in a statement that pro-Russia forces were seeking to “boost President Trump’s candidacy on social media and Russian television”.