Health Secretary RFK Jr. Addresses Measles Outbreak in Texas Amid Broader Economic Discussion

Recently, HHS Secretary RFK Jr made a visit to Gaines County, Texas, where he offered condolences to families mourning the loss of two young girls. His visit coincided with a serious measles outbreak, which has seen 642 confirmed cases across 22 states, with a substantial 499 cases reported in Texas alone. During his trip, he emphasized the federal government’s commitment to supporting Texas health officials as they manage the outbreak and mentioned the deployment of CDC teams earlier this year to assist with vaccinations and community outreach. He assured continued collaboration with Governor Abbott, emphasizing HHS's full support in leading the health response.

In another context, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently participated in an interview with Tucker Carlson, where he discussed economic trends during Trump's previous administration. He noted that working-class Americans and hourly wage earners fared better than those in supervisory positions, highlighting a time when the bottom half of household incomes saw their net worth grow faster than the top 10%. However, he also presented a sobering picture of current economic inequality, pointing out that the wealthiest 10% control a staggering 88% of the stock market, while the bottom half often struggles with debt, including credit card bills and housing costs. Bessent underscored the need for measures that would provide relief to these lower-income households.