On July 24, 2026, President Donald Trump was questioned by Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy about the ongoing cyclospora outbreak. This event marked the president’s initial public comment on the situation.
The outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has affected at least 4,173 individuals, with 308 people requiring hospitalization. Thousands more cases are under review by the CDC. Federal investigations have linked many of these cases to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. Health officials are continuing to examine additional cases and determine if other contaminated products have contributed to the outbreak.
Cyclospora, a parasite known to cause severe gastrointestinal issues, is typically associated with fresh produce. Experts warn that outbreaks can take considerable time to resolve, as symptoms may not manifest immediately after exposure.
The White House had previously stated that it was managing the situation, but until Friday, Trump had not addressed the outbreak publicly. When Doocy asked about the timeline for safely consuming lettuce again, Trump replied, “I don’t know, I haven’t thought about it. This is the first time I’ve been asked that question. Are you eating lettuce recently?” His response prompted laughter, and he noted that “nobody wants to ask that question.”
This story is developing. Further updates will be provided. For more information, contact Newsweek editors Jason Lemon and Dave Siminoff.
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