RFK Jr.'s Autism Claims Spark GOP Midterm Debate

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has become a central figure in a politically charged debate over autism, linking vaccines and prenatal acetaminophen use to the condition, claims which have been widely criticized by experts and autism advocates. His "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement, aligned with President Trump's administration, believes this rhetoric will energize disillusioned voters and boost Republican turnout in the upcoming midterm elections. However, critics argue that framing autism as a disease to be prevented, rather than a lifelong condition to be accommodated, is harmful and perpetuates stigma against autistic individuals. The scientific consensus disputes Kennedy's assertions, attributing the rise in autism diagnoses to expanded criteria and better awareness rather than medication or vaccines. Despite backlash, Kennedy and his allies continue to promote their message as addressing a public health crisis, while opponents accuse the administration of politicizing autism for electoral gain. This ongoing controversy highlights a broader distrust in mainstream medical narratives and the political exploitation of autism, with some Democrats criticized for avoiding engagement on the issue, thereby allowing fringe theories to gain traction.