Trending Now - RFK Jr. Addresses Measles Crisis, Shifts Blame to Immigrants
WHO:
HuffPost - Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) stated, “Every patient, every child with measles should be treated with compassion. But I had seven cases just in the last couple of weeks in my county.”
NBC News - Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced questioning.
HuffPost - Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) expressed concern over rising infectious disease cases.
WHAT:
HuffPost - Kennedy claimed, “It has nothing to do with me,” regarding the outbreaks.
HuffPost - Dingell noted that contagious spots for measles have been grocery stores and colleges.
NBC News - The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in decades.
HuffPost - Kennedy accused immigrants of being responsible for multiple infectious disease outbreaks in the U.S.
HuffPost - Dingell reported seven measles cases in her county in the last couple of weeks.
HuffPost - The U.S. is at risk of losing its measles elimination status due to outbreaks originating in Texas in 2025.
HuffPost - Kennedy stated, “It has nothing to do with me,” regarding the outbreaks.
WHERE:
NBC News - The hearing took place in Washington, D.C.
HuffPost - The outbreaks are occurring in various states, with specific mention of Texas.
WHEN:
HuffPost - The House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing occurred on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026.
HuffPost - The U.S. eliminated measles in 2000.
WHY:
HuffPost - Dingell indicated that families are not getting vaccinated because they are “listening to our government. Our government tells us not to.”
HuffPost - Kennedy blamed the outbreaks on immigrants from countries where measles is not eliminated.
HuffPost - Dingell indicated that many Americans have stopped getting vaccinated, contributing to the rise in cases.
HuffPost - Kennedy attributed the drop in vaccination rates to the U.S. government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
HOW:
HuffPost - Kennedy framed the measles issue as a global epidemic rather than a national public health crisis, stating, “If you’re worried about polio and tuberculosis, you should look at the immigration policies in this country.”
HuffPost - Kennedy framed the measles issue as a global epidemic rather than a national public health crisis.
(UPDATED April 22, 2026 15:23 UTC)
Representative Debbie Dingell from Michigan reported that her county has seen seven cases of measles in just the past couple of weeks, emphasizing the need for compassion in treating every patient and child affected. Meanwhile, Robert Kennedy claimed the outbreaks have nothing to do with him, while Dingell pointed out that contagious spots for measles include grocery stores and colleges, highlighting a concerning trend. Dingell also noted that many families are not getting vaccinated because they are influenced by government messaging, which she believes is contributing to the issue, while Kennedy framed the measles situation as part of a global epidemic linked to immigration policies.
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(UPDATED April 22, 2026 13:22 UTC)
During a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced questions about the worst measles outbreak in decades, which has raised concerns among lawmakers like Rep. Debbie Dingell from Michigan. Dingell reported seven measles cases in her county recently, while Kennedy controversially attributed the outbreaks to immigrants and suggested that many Americans have stopped getting vaccinated due to the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. is at risk of losing its measles elimination status, a milestone achieved in 2000, with outbreaks particularly noted in Texas and other states.