Summary of "As measles outbreak turns deadly, RFK Jr. gets the facts wrong" - The Rachel Maddow Show

Release Date: February 27, 2025

Overview

In this episode of The Rachel Maddow Show, host Rachel Maddow and panelist Craig Spencer tackle pressing public health crises and governmental mismanagement. The discussion spans the resurgence of the bubonic plague in Mongolia, a deadly measles outbreak in the United States, and the detrimental impacts of the Trump administration's policies on food safety and disease prevention efforts. The episode also delves into the political fallout in Virginia due to federal workforce reductions and the ensuing gubernatorial race.

1. Bubonic Plague Resurgence in Mongolia

Timestamp: [01:02]

Craig Spencer opens the discussion by highlighting a worrying trend: the resurgence of the bubonic plague in Mongolia, primarily linked to the hunting and consumption of marmots.

• Historical Context: Spencer draws parallels between the current situation and the Black Death of the 1300s, emphasizing the potential for catastrophic loss of life.

  Craig Spencer ([01:02]): "Bubonic plague is an infectious disease that kills you quickly. You get it from a bacteria that is carried by rodents... it is the worst plague to have ever afflicted humankind in all of human history."

• Current Outbreaks: Recent years have seen multiple cases in Mongolia, with marmot hunting being a significant transmission vector. Incidents in 2019 and 2020 led to governmental bans on marmot hunting to curb the spread.

  Craig Spencer ([03:00]): "In some marmot populations in some parts of Asia, bubonic plague is endemic. It's really widespread in the population of those animals."

• Political Implications: Spencer criticizes high-profile figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for downplaying the severity of such outbreaks, questioning the integrity of leadership in health crises.

  Craig Spencer ([07:19]): "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ... is not a scientist. But he is a man who works at a law firm in Florida, not a scientist. ... This was first reported in Vanity Fair."

2. Deadly Measles Outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico

Timestamp: [16:55]

The discussion shifts to a significant measles outbreak in West Texas, now spreading to New Mexico, with 124 confirmed cases and the tragic death of an unvaccinated child.

• Government Response: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is criticized for misinformation and inadequate handling of the outbreak.

  Craig Spencer ([16:55]): "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. really is Donald Trump's idea of the best person in the whole country to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services... almost every single thing he said about it was wrong."

• Misinformation: Kennedy inaccurately reported the number of deaths and hospitalized individuals, misleading the public about the outbreak's severity.

  Craig Spencer ([17:30]): "Local health authorities say it is not two people who have died, it is one person who has died... they have been hospitalized for respiratory distress and other serious and potential fatal symptoms of measles."

• Anti-Vaccine Stance: Kennedy's anti-vaccine rhetoric is condemned, as it contradicts established public health initiatives aimed at preventing such outbreaks.

  Craig Spencer ([18:00]): "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote a whole book about measles... 'measles outbreaks have been fabricated to create fear.'"

3. FDA Mismanagement and Food Safety Concerns

Timestamp: [10:00]

Spencer delves into the turmoil within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), exacerbated by the Trump administration's mass firings and poor leadership appointments.

• Mass Firings: The Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods resigned in protest over what he described as "indiscriminate mass firings," which decimated the FDA's food safety capabilities.

  Craig Spencer ([10:00]): "The Trump administration initiated indiscriminate mass firings. According to the head of the human Foods program... showed disdain for the people who do that work."

• Inadequate Appointments: The administration appointed individuals lacking relevant expertise, undermining the FDA's effectiveness.

  Craig Spencer ([11:00]): "The new person... is a man who works at a law firm in Florida, not a scientist. But he is a hunting buddy of Donald Trump Jr."

• Listeria Outbreak: The FDA is currently managing a listeria outbreak linked to contaminated frozen shakes, resulting in 12 deaths across 21 states.

  Craig Spencer ([14:00]): "The FDA is handling a recall of frozen shakes... 38 people in 21 states. 12 people have died already."

4. Undermined Ebola Prevention Efforts

Timestamp: [26:03]

The conversation highlights the Trump administration's detrimental impact on Ebola prevention and response capabilities, challenging claims made by Elon Musk regarding the continuity of these efforts.

• Funding Cuts: Significant reductions in USAID's Ebola prevention funding and staffing have crippled the U.S.'s ability to respond to outbreaks effectively.

  Dr. Craig Spencer ([26:03]): "Normally, the US would have quickly sent one of our Ebola experts to help the response, but this time we didn't because we couldn't."

• Refutation of Musk's Claims: Spencer directly challenges Elon Musk's assertion that Ebola prevention efforts were only briefly interrupted and swiftly restored.

  Dr. Craig Spencer ([28:00]): "Elon Musk and Doge were responsible for actively and actually stripping off the letters of the USAID... we have not turned back on."

• Expert Opinions: Former USAID officials confirm that Ebola prevention efforts remain stalled, with USAID's operations frozen and funding inaccessible.

  Craig Spencer ([28:46]): "Public health experts... say that the Ebola prevention efforts were hobbled, that they've not been restarted."

5. Political Fallout in Virginia Due to Federal Workforce Cuts

Timestamp: [33:26]

Spencer examines the ripple effects of the Trump administration's policies on Virginia's economy and political landscape, particularly focusing on the upcoming gubernatorial race.

• Economic Impact: Virginia, heavily reliant on federal contracts and a substantial federal workforce, faces over $100 billion in annual federal funding and more than 145,000 federal employees affected by mass firings.

  Craig Spencer ([33:12]): "Virginia's economy also benefits more from federal contracts than any other state does... started cutting off federal funding that's been legally appropriated by Congress."

• Governor Youngkin's Response: Governor Glenn Youngkin is criticized for his inadequate support to affected federal workers, offering minimal assistance and failing to address the root causes of the crisis.

  Craig Spencer ([38:15]): "Governor Youngkin's plan... is basically to tell those federal workers that they should call the unemployment office."

• Gubernatorial Race: The mismanagement has led to significant losses for the Republican party in polls, with Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger leading by a substantial margin.

  Craig Spencer ([38:45]): "A new poll shows that the Republican lieutenant governor is losing to former Democratic Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger by 15 points."

• Abigail Spanberger's Perspective: As a contender for the Democratic nomination, Spanberger emphasizes the need for leadership that genuinely supports Virginians amidst federal workforce disruptions.

  Abigail Spanberger ([38:48]): "It's outrageous that the governor is not standing up for Virginians or Virginia."

6. Ongoing Legal Battles Over Foreign Aid Funding

Timestamp: [45:15]

The show concludes with an update on a high-stakes legal battle concerning the Trump administration's refusal to comply with court orders to resume foreign aid funding.

• Supreme Court Involvement: After lower courts upheld orders to restart funding, the Supreme Court temporarily stayed the ruling, delaying immediate compliance and leaving critical aid programs in limbo.

  Craig Spencer ([47:23]): "The Supreme Court has responded... they do not have to meet the midnight deadline... the court will make the final call."

• Impact on Public Health: Delays in funding jeopardize ongoing disease prevention and treatment programs, exacerbating public health risks both domestically and internationally.

Notable Quotes

• Craig Spencer ([01:02]): "Bubonic plague is an infectious disease that kills you quickly. You get it from a bacteria that is carried by rodents."

• Craig Spencer ([16:55]): "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. really is Donald Trump's idea of the best person in the whole country to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services."

• Craig Spencer ([26:50]): "USAID funds have never been back online. USAID has been frozen."

• Abigail Spanberger ([38:48]): "It's outrageous that the governor is not standing up for Virginians or Virginia."

Conclusion

This episode of The Rachel Maddow Show underscores the profound consequences of political mismanagement on public health and safety. Through incisive analysis and expert commentary, Maddow and Spencer illuminate the critical failures within governmental institutions, the spread of misinformation, and the tangible impacts on communities across the United States. The discussions serve as a clarion call for accountability and informed leadership to navigate and rectify these burgeoning crises.

For more detailed insights and updates, listeners are encouraged to tune into future episodes of The Rachel Maddow Show.