(CNN) -- White House trade adviser Peter Navarro on Monday said he was qualified to engage and disagree with Dr. Anthony Fauci on the use of an anti-malarial drug as a coronavirus treatment -- which is not yet proven as effective -- saying, "I'm a social scientist."
"Doctors disagree about things all the time. My qualifications in terms of looking at the science is that I'm a social scientist," he told CNN's John Berman on "New Day." "I have a Ph.D. And I understand how to read statistical studies, whether it's in medicine, the law, economics or whatever."
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Heated disagreement breaks out in Situation Room over hydroxychloroquine
Navarro's remarks follow reports that he clashed with officials in the Situation Room over the weekend about the unproven efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in treating coronavirus. While discussing the latest on the anti-malaria drug, an exasperated Navarro lashed out at Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, who has urged caution around the drug, a person familiar with the meeting told CNN.
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Axios first reported on the disagreement inside the White House about the drug.
This story is breaking and will be updated.