Measles Cases Are Reaching Record Highs in America — ProPublica
ProPublica — 2026-08-18 04:00:00 — www.propublica.org
Trump Administration’s Vaccine Policies Linked to Rising Measles Cases and Public Doubt
The United States is facing its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades, with more cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by July 23 than in any year since 1991. This surge comes as President Donald Trump’s administration, alongside top health official Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has shifted government messaging from promoting the lifesaving benefits of vaccines to sowing doubts about their safety.
Executive Orders and Vaccine Hesitancy
Last week, President Trump issued another executive order that is expected to further fuel hesitancy about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine—a shot that has protected children for decades. This move marks a sharp departure from the government’s longstanding, bipartisan support for vaccination programs that have shielded children from deadly and disabling diseases since the 1960s.
Suppression of CDC Warnings
At the beginning of Trump’s second administration, CDC leaders, under administration direction, ordered staff not to release an expert assessment warning that the risk of catching measles was high in areas with lagging vaccination rates. The planned announcement would have emphasized the importance of vaccinating people against measles, but the agency was directed to keep the findings from the public. The CDC later claimed the assessment was withheld because it “does not say anything that the public doesn’t already know,” while maintaining that vaccines are “the best way to protect against measles.”
Consequences of Policy Shifts
The Trump administration’s actions, including the suppression of critical public health information and the issuance of executive orders that undermine confidence in vaccines, have contributed to a dangerous environment. Experts warn that these policies have left communities vulnerable to preventable diseases, with the resurgence of measles serving as a warning sign of cracks in the nation’s immunization defenses.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s approach to vaccine policy has been characterized by a departure from decades of science-based public health leadership. By sowing doubt and suppressing expert warnings, the administration has played a direct role in the erosion of public trust and the resurgence of diseases once considered history in the United States. As measles cases continue to rise, the consequences of these actions are becoming increasingly clear—and potentially deadly.
Source: https://www.propublica.org/article/measles-cases-vaccines