Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear posted on X that the United States had eliminated measles until Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. introduced conspiracy theories, now putting lives at risk, while urging people to get vaccinated. The video post comes amid a reported rise to 157 confirmed measles cases in Kentucky in 2026, mostly among unvaccinated individuals. Online users responded in large numbers, with many replies rejecting the link to Kennedy and instead pointing to immigration policies as the primary cause.
In the clip, Beshear states, “This is crazy. I mean, we’ve had more measles cases this year than we’ve had, I think, in the 38 years before, and the absolute reason is RFK Jr.”
He continues, “I mean, my goodness, we had eliminated measles here in the United States. One of the fastest, most contagious diseases in US history, and we had beaten it. And then he comes in with conspiracy theories about vaccines that are absolutely untrue. And fewer people get vaccinated. Now you see these cases, and at least in Pennsylvania, people die. That is because of him. We have the most dangerous HHS secretary in my lifetime right now, and people are paying the price.” The video shows only the speech and includes no independent medical data or responses from health officials.
According to the Kentucky Department for Public Health, the state has reported 157 confirmed measles cases in 2026 as of mid-October, up from 13 the previous year and none in 2024, with nearly all involving unvaccinated individuals and nine hospitalizations but no deaths.
Health officials have described the cases as concentrated in close-knit, under-vaccinated communities in several counties and continue to recommend the MMR vaccine. Beshear’s post links the rise specifically to RFK Jr.’s statements on vaccines; that causal claim has not been independently verified in the post itself.
Online Reactions to the Kentucky Measles Remarks
Some users agreed with Beshear’s framing. One wrote, “I agree with you, Gov. Beshear. You’re right, it is crazy,” while a Facebook commenter said, “Thankful to have such an excellent Governor.”
Others rejected the connection to RFK Jr. and pointed to immigration. One stated, “You are lying by trying to blame the measles outbreak on RFK Jr., and you know you are. Shame on you for spreading misinformation,” and another said, “RFK Jr. is not the reason for the measles outbreak. You know it is the 20 million illegals that came into our country with no vaccinations of ANY kind.”
A further reply noted, “We had measles beat till democrats invited 10,000,000+ illegal immigrants from 3rd and 4th world countries where measles are prevalent.”
Additional comments questioned the focus on RFK Jr. or raised broader doubts about vaccines and official advice.
For now, Beshear’s remarks have become part of the broader discussion around Kentucky’s measles cases and national vaccine policy. Online commenters still disagree on the factors behind the rise, with some focusing on vaccination rates and others on border policies.
