GOP Senator Slams Trump's Vaccine Skepticism as Dangerous

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said Sunday that President Trump's comments calling the combined MMR vaccine potentially 'lethal' are 'a crazy, stupid thing.' Cassidy, a physician and chairman of the Senate HELP Committee, made the remarks on CNN's 'State of the Union.'

• Trump's order splits the MMR vaccine into up to six separate injections and visits.
• 2 doctor visits per child could become 6, Cassidy said, raising out-of-pocket costs.
• More required visits increase the risk children miss doses, Cassidy warned.
• Trump also claimed vaccines caused autism — a link scientists and doctors reject.

Why it matters: The policy directly affects working families and the broader health system. Cassidy argued higher insurance costs from additional visits will ultimately drive up premiums.

• Lower immunization rates put unvaccinated and immunocompromised people at greater risk.
• Cassidy cited a pregnant woman who lost a pregnancy after exposure to an unvaccinated person with a vaccine-preventable illness.

How 5 sources split on this story

Where they split: Left-leaning outlets emphasize Cassidy's vote to confirm RFK Jr. as a contradiction undermining his credibility; right-leaning coverage focuses on his policy critique without that context.

What’s next: The revised vaccine schedule is already in effect following Trump's executive order.

• Cassidy declined to revisit his RFK Jr. confirmation vote, saying he would focus on current policy.
• Will other Republican senators echo Cassidy's criticism, or does he remain an isolated voice within the party on this issue?
• What concrete legislative or oversight action, if any, will Cassidy take as HELP Committee chairman?