‘He’s a Cabinet Secretary!’ Reporter Snaps At RFK Jr. Aide Trying to Stop Question on Measles Deaths
During a press event, a reporter challenged an aide to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for attempting to block questions regarding measles deaths. Kennedy eventually addressed the issue, attributing the global outbreak to vaccination gaps during the COVID-19 pandemic and criticizing Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the friction between political aides and the press, while also highlighting the administration's stance on public health crises.
A member of the press snapped at an aide of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday when she tried to stop him from asking a question about measles deaths.
After a healthcare roundtable in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Kennedy was joined by Rep. Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA) to field questions from the press. At one point, a reporter asked about recent measles deaths in Pennsylvania.
"Do you believe that five deaths, potentially six, from measles in the state of Pennsylvania–," the report began. Before he could finish his question, however, an aide standing beside Kennedy quickly cut him off.
"We're also not going to talk about measles," the aide responded.
Kennedy protested and said he was "happy" to answer the question. At the same time, the reporter fired back at the aide much more aggressively.
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