RFK Jr. Compares COVID-19 Impact to Autism, Sparks Outrage

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., currently serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services, has drawn widespread criticism for comparing the impact of autism to the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming that autism is a greater 'epidemic' because COVID 'killed old people' while autism affects children early in life. He has repeatedly asserted, without scientific backing, that autism is linked to vaccines and has announced a new government probe to identify 'environmental toxins' as the cause, promising findings by September. Kennedy also made controversial remarks suggesting that people with autism cannot contribute to society, saying they will 'never pay taxes' or hold jobs, which sparked outrage among autism advocates, families, and public figures like Rosie O'Donnell. Experts and advocacy groups have denounced his statements as misinformation that perpetuates damaging stereotypes and ignores established science, which attributes the rise in autism diagnoses primarily to improved screening and broader definitions. Critics argue that Kennedy's rhetoric is not only factually incorrect but also harmful to individuals with autism and their families. His economic predictions regarding the cost of autism have also been questioned due to a lack of cited evidence.