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MaddowBlog-The administration is blaming immigrants with 'sick cows' for higher beef prices
Initially, Trump blamed meatpackers for higher costs. Now, his team is blaming immigrants — and cattle they’re allegedly bringing across the border.
Trump pissing off more farmers and targeting immigrants! Mighty anti-Christ of you, Trump!
— Tabby (@tabbys-corner.bsky.social) 2025-11-18T17:48:39.006Z
The administration is blaming immigrants with ‘sick cows’ for higher beef prices www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...
But as it turns out, the Republican administration isn’t blaming only the meatpacking industry. The New York Times reported:
Bessent really did appear on Fox News on Sunday morning and suggest “mass immigration” was at least partially responsible for rising beef prices. The secretary added that some migrants “have brought some of their cattle with them” when entering the U.S.
As a rule, when migrants try to reach American soil, they bring loved ones and a backpack. They do not tend to bring livestock. The Times report added, “The Treasury Department did not respond to a request for an explanation about Mr. Bessent’s suggestion that sick cows were being brought from Mexico across the border.”
Making matters worse is the familiarity of the circumstances. Concerned about health care costs? Team Trump says to blame immigrants. Frustrated by housing costs? Team Trump says to blame immigrants. Worried about crime? Team Trump says to blame immigrants.
With many Americans frustrated by Mr. Trump’s tariffs, his advisers have been straining to blame the high cost of hamburgers — and anything else — on anyone other than the president. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tried to explain high beef prices over the weekend by blaming undocumented immigrants, saying they were bringing sick cows into the United States.
Bessent really did appear on Fox News on Sunday morning and suggest “mass immigration” was at least partially responsible for rising beef prices. The secretary added that some migrants “have brought some of their cattle with them” when entering the U.S.
BARTIROMO: He's expecting a pound ground beef. What's your reaction?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-11-16T15:15:34.776Z
BESSENT: Maria, the beef market is a very specialized market. It goes in long cycles. This is the perfect storm. Again, something we inherited.
As a rule, when migrants try to reach American soil, they bring loved ones and a backpack. They do not tend to bring livestock. The Times report added, “The Treasury Department did not respond to a request for an explanation about Mr. Bessent’s suggestion that sick cows were being brought from Mexico across the border.”
Making matters worse is the familiarity of the circumstances. Concerned about health care costs? Team Trump says to blame immigrants. Frustrated by housing costs? Team Trump says to blame immigrants. Worried about crime? Team Trump says to blame immigrants.