Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent surprised viewers on Fox News when he linked rising beef prices to migrants and a parasite called screwworm. He said migrants were bringing infected animals north and a disease called screwworm forced new restrictions on live imports.
Listen to Trump’s former Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, on Fox News, as he stumbles through his explanations, offering a string of excuses for why beef prices are set to soar to $10 per pound. It’s a masterclass in deflection. Each answer is more convoluted than the last, asβ¦ pic.twitter.com/sh5PJrOMtC
β Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) November 16, 2025
Bessent said, βBecause of the mass immigration, a disease that we’d been rid of in North America made its way up through South America as these migrants brought some of their cattle with them. Weβre not gonna let that get into our supply chain.β
The United States has taken action on screwworm concerns in the past. Officials have relied on surveillance, import limits, and sterile fly programs to prevent the parasite from taking hold. Still, experts say there is no evidence of widespread cattle migration across the border.
Economists point to more grounded drivers for high beef prices. Drought, herd reductions, feed costs, and tariff policy all raise production expenses that eventually reach the grocery store. Many analysts say these factors explain the surge far better than the screwworm theory.
Farm groups warned against blaming migrants for market problems. They call it a convenient distraction and say policymakers should focus on supply chain fixes and aid for producers. For them, addressing capacity and feed costs will do more to stabilize prices than political explanations.
When pressed for evidence of cattle coming over with migrants, Bessent shifted to general warnings about supply chain protection. Critics called the explanation implausible and said it sounded more political than practical.
The reaction on X was immediate.
Watching Bessent twist himself into knots to avoid saying the obvious is wild.
Beef prices arenβt jumping to $10/lb because of the weather or βmarket cyclesβ theyβre jumping because Trump detonated the supply chain with tariffs, shutdown chaos, and trade gimmicks that backfired.β¦
— Evaristus Odinikaeze (@odinikaeze) November 16, 2025
Some comments mocked the cattle claim directly. One post said, βThey brought the cattle with them!!?? Is this the fucking Oregon Trail now!!??β Another added, βHow many migrants bring their cows with them? These people are just fucking stupid.β
Brought their cattle with them?!? How many people crossing the border bring their cows with them? These people are just fucking stupid.
— Pat Covington (@Eagleaz4Pat) November 16, 2025
Right migrants made that long trek with their cows, what an ignorant fuck
— Watching_Washington (@hghairyman) November 16, 2025
They brought the cattle with them!!??
Is this the fucking Oregon Trail now!!??— bernalyall (@bernalyall) November 16, 2025
Theyβre bringing the cows! Theyβre raising the prices! FFS π€¦ββοΈ pic.twitter.com/qajtzndWNB
— The Big Red Lie (@TheBigRedLie) November 16, 2025
Screwworm concerns exist, but experts say there is no sign that migrants or their supposed cattle are pushing beef toward ten dollars a pound. Most of the pressure comes from weather, supply shifts, and trade decisions.
Featured image via X screengrab
