FactCheck.org is reporting that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has presented mixed messages regarding the measles vaccine. It said Kennedy told lawmakers in April hearings that his agency promotes the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine and advises every child to get it, noting it prevents measles in 97% of people. FactCheck.org highlighted that while Kennedy has acknowledged the vaccine's efficacy and recommendation, he often pairs these statements with false or misleading claims that could deter vaccination. The organization noted that prior to joining the Trump administration, Kennedy led an anti-vaccine nonprofit and, in 2021, wrote that measles outbreaks were "fabricated to create fear" to "inflict unnecessary and risky vaccines on millions of children." Science Editor Jessica McDonald tracked Kennedy's remarks, creating a timeline of his statements as health secretary and from before.
FactCheck.org also reported that President Donald Trump repeated a claim in a May 27 Cabinet meeting that "Over 11,888 murderers were allowed into our country" under the prior administration, with more than half committing multiple murders. It said Trump's figure refers to noncitizens convicted of murder not in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody as of September 2024, including those in prison or on the list for decades, and that the source for the "more than one murder" claim is unknown.
Separately, FactCheck.org stated that Trump distorted facts about Maryland's June primary ballot mix-up. It said a vendor error caused some voters in the closed primary state to receive the wrong party's ballot, leading to replacement ballots being sent. FactCheck.org reported that Trump claimed "fake," "corrupt," and "illegal" ballots were mailed to ensure "Democrats win," despite state election officials voiding the original incorrect ballots.