Senator criticizes Trump's MMR vaccine claims
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Senator Bill Cassidy called Trump's MMR vaccine claims "crazy, stupid" on CNN.
The dispute highlights a rift over vaccine policy and public health guidance.
Background
President Trump signed an executive order on August 10, 2026, that would split the combined MMR vaccine into three separate shots, claiming the combined vaccine could be 'quite lethal.' Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician and chairman of the Senate health committee, has strongly criticized the order, saying it is based on misinformation and will increase the number of shots children receive, potentially driving up healthcare costs and reducing vaccination rates.
How it unfolded
- Aug 10, 2026Trump signs executive order to split MMR vaccine into separate shots, claiming the combined vaccine could be 'quite lethal.'
- Aug 11, 2026Senator Cassidy publicly criticizes the order, stating 'I'm a doctor. This executive order is wrong.'
- Aug 16, 2026Cassidy calls Trump's claims 'crazy, stupid' on CNN, arguing the order will inconvenience parents and raise premiums.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- President Trump defends the order, saying 'Nothing bad can happen from what we're doing.'
- Expert
- Medical experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, say the MMR vaccine is safe and splitting it has no proven benefits.
- Support
- Senator Cassidy argues the order is wrong and will lead to more shots, higher costs, and increased vaccine hesitancy.
Still unverified
Trump's claims about the MMR vaccine being 'lethal' and 'vats of vaccine' are not supported by scientific evidence, but they are his statements, not independently verified facts.