Gwen Walz on RFK Jr. comments: People with autism ‘contribute more to this nation than this man ever will’

cnn.com/2025/04/19/health/autism-rfk-criticism/

Apr 20 25

Many in the autism community say RFK Jr. is pushing harmful and regressive rhetoric about who they are

409

194

huffpost.com/entry/gwen-walz-rfk-jr-autism_n_68026917e4b058dd5962e4e3

Apr 19 25

Gwen Walz Skewers RFK Jr. Over 'Deeply Upsetting' Autism Comments — And She Doesn't Hold Back

252

319

Time

time.com/7278787/rfk-jr-cdc-autism-study/

Apr 18 25

RFK Jr. and the CDC Disagree on a Major Autism Study: The HHS Secretary fields criticism of his long-held autism beliefs.

243

More articles on this subject

The Straits Times

straitstimes.com/world/united-states/explainer-why-are-autism-rates-rising

Apr 20 25

Explainer: Why are autism rates rising?: There are no treatments or cures for autism, nor can it be reversed. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Minnesota Star Tribune

startribune.com/health-secretarys-comments-draw-ire-at-minnesota-autism-convention/601334153

Apr 19 25

RFK Jr.’s controversial comments draw ire at Minnesota autism convention: Comments by the health secretary were a hot topic at Minnesota's annual autism ...

321

huffpost.com/entry/autism-advocates-rfk-jr-epidemic_n_68017e6fe4b01dc12d4b7d62

Apr 18 25

Autism Advocates Come Out Hard Against RFK Jr.'s Latest Rhetoric: "We are deeply concerned," the groups said.

155

248

Scientific American

Grade: C

Apr 17 25

The Real Reason Autism Rates Are Rising: Autism rates are rising, but RFK, Jr. is wrong about the reasons. Here's what the science says

scientificamerican.com/article/the-real-reason-autism-rates-are-rising/

105

302

goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/parents-experts-react-rfk-jrs-autism-claims-120911306

Apr 18 25

RFK Jr.'s comments on autism draw reactions from parents and experts: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing growing criticism from parents and advocates who say his ...

789

1.2k

The Hill (newspaper)

thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5254735-gwen-walz-on-rfk-jr-comments-people-with-autism-contribute-more-to-this-nation-than-this-man-ever-will/

Apr 17 25

Gwen Walz on RFK Jr. comments: People with autism ‘contribute more to this nation than this man ever will’

356

544

abcnews.go.com/US/rfk-jr-goal-study-autism-september-realistic/story

Apr 17 25

RFK Jr. has a goal to study what's 'behind' autism by September. How realistic is it?

397

1.2k

huffpost.com/entry/rfk-jr-autism-diagnosis-increase_l_67ffcd26e4b0b0977ad638f8

Apr 17 25

RFK Jr. Is Missing 1 Major Point In The CDC's New Autism Report — And Experts Agree

187

MS NOW

nbcnews.com/health/health-news/rfk-jr-autism-studies-environmental-toxins-rising-rates-rcna201582

Apr 16 25

RFK Jr. plans autism studies to identify 'environmental toxins' linked to rising rates

215

876 75 41

huffpost.com/entry/rfk-jr-blames-environmental-toxins-for-autism_n_67ffd344e4b0b0977ad63dd7

Apr 16 25

RFK Jr. Blames ‘Environmental Toxins’ For Autism Rates, Dismisses Better Awareness, Screening

343

1.2k

9news.com.au

9news.com.au/world/world-news-robert-kennedy-jnr-says-autism-preventable-and-an-epidemic-in-united-states/640284d1-c220-4e20-a063-a866ed21636e

Apr 17 25

RFK Jnr says 'tsunami' of autism is 'preventable... caused by toxins': The top health official in the US has slammed "epidemic deniers" and vowed to find a cure ...

196

460

theguardian.com

Grade: B-

Apr 16 25

RFK Jr contradicts experts by linking autism rise to ‘environmental toxins’: US health secretary bucks expert opinion as research shows rise in diagnoses due to ...

theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/16/rjk-jr-rise-autism-diagnoses

Axios (website)

axios.com/2025/04/16/kennedy-cdc-autism-rates

Apr 16 25

RFK Jr. contradicts CDC on causes of autism: Kennedy contradicted a CDC study attributing the rise in autism to better screening.

148

Reuters

Grade: A

Apr 16 25

Kennedy plans studies into link between environmental factors and autism: U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on Wednesday that he plans to ...

reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/kennedy-move-autism-study-newly-created-administrative-office-2025-04-16/

1.4k

16 1.2k

abcnews.go.com/Health/rfk-jr-lays-new-studies-autism-shuts-diagnoses/story

Apr 17 25

RFK Jr. lays out new studies on autism, shuts down 'better diagnoses' as a cause: Kennedy has prioritized autism as one of the chronic illnesses he’s determined ...

411

1.2k

NPR

npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/16/nx-s1-5366676/autism-cdc-rates-rfk-research

Apr 16 25

RFK pushes to find 'environmental' cause of autism, calls rising rates an 'epidemic'

638

1.1k 768

New York Magazine

Grade: C

Apr 17 25

What Has RFK Jr. Said About Autism and Vaccines?: On the heels of RFK Jr.’s claim that we’ll know the ‘cause’ of autism by September, he continued to spread lies ...

thecut.com/article/what-has-rfk-jr-said-about-autism-and-vaccines.html

The Daily Beast

thedailybeast.com/cnn-doctor-names-reality-show-that-proves-rfk-jrs-autism-claims-wrong/

Apr 17 25

CNN Doctor Names Reality Show That Debunks RFK Jr.’s Wild Autism Claims: The health secretary made a handful of claims on autism during a news conference ...

127

PBS

pbs.org/newshour/show/what-research-reveals-about-the-rise-in-autism-diagnoses-and-why-vaccines-arent-the-cause

Apr 17 25

What research reveals about the rise in autism diagnoses and why vaccines aren't the cause

161

PBS

pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-rfk-jr-holds-news-briefing-for-cdc-findings-on-the-increase-of-autism-prevalence

Apr 16 25

WATCH LIVE: RFK Jr. holds news briefing for CDC findings on the increase of autism prevalence

298

The New York Times

nytimes.com/2025/04/16/us/politics/rfk-jr-autism.html

Apr 16 25

RFK Jr. Calls Autism ‘Preventable,’ Drawing Ire From Researchers: The health secretary said he would prioritize studies into environmental causes while harshly ...

475

CNN

cnn.com/2025/04/16/health/rfk-autism-epidemic/

Apr 16 25

In first news conference as HHS secretary, Kennedy says autism is an epidemic in the US

414

45 1.4k

The Daily Beast

thedailybeast.com/rfk-jr-contradicts-cdc-in-bonkers-claims-on-autism/

Apr 16 25

RFK Jr. Contradicts CDC In Bonkers Claims on Autism: The HHS Secretary proclaimed “the epidemic is real” and said autism “destroys” families.

112

The Hill

thehill.com/newsletters/health-care/5252761-kennedy-contradicts-cdc-on-autism/

Apr 17 25

Kennedy contradicts CDC on autism

Reuters

Grade: A

Apr 15 25

Autism rates in US children hit record level in 2022, CDC data show: Rates of autism spectrum disorder among U.S. children reached a record level in 2022 ...

reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/autism-rates-us-children-hit-record-level-2022-cdc-data-show-2025-04-15/

483

643

abcnews.go.com/Health/estimated-1-31-children-autism-diagnosis-rates-increase/story

Apr 15 25

Estimated 1 in 31 children have autism as diagnosis rates increase in the US: CDC

332

531

The Hill (newspaper)

thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5250535-cdc-report-says-autism-rates-are-rising-due-to-better-screening-contradicting-rfk-jr/

Apr 15 25

CDC report says autism rates are rising due to better screening, contradicting RFK Jr.

138

CNN.com

cnn.com/2025/04/15/health/autism-rate-cdc-report-2022/

Apr 16 25

US autism rate continues to rise, CDC says, pointing to greater awareness and better screening

443

Lexington Herald-Leader

kentucky.com/opinion/linda-blackford/article304426301.html

Apr 18 25

RFK Jr.’s dehumanizing comments about autistic kids infuriate KY moms | Opinion: Linda Blackford: It’s hard to know whether to be more scared or angry that ...

140

The New York Times

nytimes.com/2025/04/15/health/autism-children-cdc.html

Apr 15 25

Autism Rate Continues to Rise Among Children, C.D.C. Reports: While the agency stressed that increased screening was most likely behind much of the increase ...

271

The Jerusalem Post

jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-850462

Apr 17 25

US health chief Kennedy targets 'environmental toxins' as cause of autism: Robert F. Kennedy contradicted both developing and established science on autism in ...

Semafor

semafor.com/article/04/17/2025/rfk-jr-launches-probe-into-causes-behind-rise-in-autism-cases

Apr 17 25

RFK Jr launches probe into causes behind rise in autism : Most scientists attribute the rising number of people with autism to wider diagnostic criteria.

yahoo.com

yahoo.com/news/autism-rates-us-children-hit-171017671.html

Apr 17 25

Autism rates in US children hit record level in 2022, CDC data show: (Reuters) -Rates of autism spectrum disorder among U.S. children reached a record level in ...

english.alarabiya.net

Grade: C-

Apr 17 25

US health chief Kennedy targets ‘environmental toxins’ as cause of autism: Environmental contributors to autism are behind its rising prevalence ...

english.alarabiya.net/News/united-states/2025/04/17/us-health-chief-kennedy-targets-environmental-toxins-as-cause-of-autism

U.S. News & World Report

usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2025-04-16/4-takeaways-from-rfk-jr-s-press-conference-on-cdc-autism-report

Apr 16 25

4 Takeaways From RFK Jr.’s Press Conference on CDC Autism Report: Kennedy said he will soon announce a series of studies to examine environmental toxins ...

UPI

upi.com/Health_News/2025/04/16/autism-robert-f-kennedy-Jr/1201744828406/

Apr 16 25

Health chief RFK Jr.: Autism caused by environmental exposures; contradicts new CDC report - UPI.com

Daily Sabah Apr 16 25

US autism rates in children hit record high in 2022, CDC says: Rates of autism spectrum disorder among U.S. children reached a record level in 2022 ...

dailysabah.com/world/americas/us-autism-rates-in-children-hit-record-high-in-2022-cdc-says

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NPR

npr.org/2026/02/13/nx-s1-5712721/rfk-jr-children-vaccines-cdc-funding-autism-immunizations

Feb 13

RFK Jr. made promises to get his job as health secretary. He's broken many of them

newrepublic.com/post/206091/nih-chief-robert-f-kennedy-jr-vaccines-autism

1.1k 23

The New Republic

Grade: D+

Feb 03

NIH Chief Breaks With RFK Jr. on Key Question From Bernie Sanders: This is, unfortunately, a very big deal.

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549

1.1k

gulftoday.ae Nov 26 25

OpinionKennedy sharpens vaccine attacks, without scientific backing: As the federal government prepares for the next meeting of its Advisory Committee on Immunization ...

gulftoday.ae/opinion/2025/11/25/kennedy-sharpens-vaccine-attacks-without-scientific-backing

huffpost.com/entry/senator-bill-cassidy-robert-kennedy-jr-cdc-website-change-vaccines-autism_n_69233dcae4b049cdc6d4f59a

Nov 24 25

GOP Senator Refuses To Face Reality About RFK Jr. After Being ‘Lied’ To: Sen. Bill Cassidy avoided blaming RFK Jr. even after the health secretary called for the ...

5 similar articles

Axios (website)

axios.com/2025/11/20/cdc-website-rfk-vaccines-autism

Nov 20 25

CDC changes website to promote debunked vaccines-autism link: The public health agency is publicly reversing its position on a link between vaccines and the ...

39 12

Oct 09 25

Only 4% of Americans think Trump claims about Tylenol and autism are ‘definitely true’

independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/poll-trump-rfk-autism-tylenol-b2842687.html

2 similar articles

239

697

The Independent

independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/autism-trump-rfk-jr-paracetamol-vaccines-conspiracy-theories-b2831757.html

Sep 23 25

Autism, vaccines and paracetamol –how Trump and RFK put conspiracy at the heart of health policy

2 similar articles

160

596

The Hill

thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5501213-cdc-study-debunked-link-vaccines-autism/

Sep 12 25

CDC to fund study on debunked link between vaccines and autism: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is funding a study on the widely debunked ...

theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/07/david-geier-vaccine-safety-shoddy-research/683630/

8 335

The Atlantic

Grade: B-

Jul 23 25

RFK Jr.’s Vaccine-Safety Analyst Has Already Disqualified Himself: RFK Jr.’s vaccine-safety investigator has previously used government vaccine data to publish ...

23 5

The Verge

theverge.com/health/661362/rfk-jr-measles-autism

May 06 25

Death is the policy: RFK Jr.‘s measles response is junk science and social Darwinism.

futurism.com/neoscope/government-launching-autism-database

8 48

Futurism

Grade: C

Apr 27 25

Government Launching Database of Everyday People With Autism: The government is launching a registry tracking Americans with autism as part of RFK Jr ...

4 similar articles

413

PBS

pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-robert-f-kennedy-jr-s-statements-on-autism

Apr 23 25

Fact-checking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s statements on autism: Medical experts, along with people on the autism spectrum, told PolitiFact that Kennedy’s ...

Key FactsKennedy Jr. Spreads Misinformation About Autism

Apr 22, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: latimes.com

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made false claims about autism, labeling it a 'preventable epidemic.'

Experts criticized his statements, emphasizing that the rise in autism cases is due to improved diagnostic practices, not an actual epidemic.

Kennedy ignored scientific findings on genetic factors and downplayed the realities faced by autistic individuals.

The CDC report he frequently referenced contradicted his claims and highlighted the importance of diversity within the autism spectrum.

Autism destroys families.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made this statement during his news conference about autism.

15 similar articles

147 0

theguardian.com

Grade: B-

Apr 21 25

RFK’s statements prove autistic people and their families everywhere should fear Trump and his allies

theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/20/autism-vaccines-robert-f-kennedy-jr-usa-donald-trump

3 similar articles

USA TODAY

usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2025/04/17/kennedy-children-autism-preventable-vaccines/83121619007/

Apr 17 25

RFK Jr. attacked kids as he lied about autism. Republicans voted for this. | Opinion

241

23 548

ZDF

zdf.de/nachrichten/panorama/usa-autismus-ursache-forschung-kennedy-100.html

Apr 15 25

Kennedy's autism plan alarms experts - More fake news?: US Secretary of Health and Human Services Kennedy wants to fast-track research into the cause of autism ...

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310

1.2k

BBC News

Grade: A

Apr 11 25

RFK Jr pledges to find the cause of autism 'by September': Autism researchers and experts call the effort, which is short on detail, misguided and unrealistic.

bbc.com/news/articles/cj0z9nmzvdlo

Key FactsKennedy Unveils Ambitious Autism Research Initiative

Apr 11, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: bbc.com

US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. announced a comprehensive plan to identify the causes of autism within five months.

Experts have raised concerns about the complexity of autism research, deeming Kennedy's initiative unrealistic.

Kennedy emphasized that the research will involve hundreds of global scientists and will investigate various factors, including vaccines and environmental influences.

The Autism Society of America criticized the approach as harmful and misleading, while concerns were raised regarding the hiring of controversial researcher David Geier.

By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and we'll be able to eliminate those exposures.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a cabinet meeting where he pledged a massive testing and research effort to determine the causes of autism.

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355 3k 342

NBC News

nbcnews.com/health/health-news/hhs-taps-anti-vaccine-activist-look-debunked-links-autism-vaccines-sou-rcna198214

Mar 26 25

HHS taps anti-vaccine activist to look at debunked links between autism and vaccines, sources say

241

4 617

Axios (website)

axios.com/2025/03/28/rfk-jr-threat-vaccine-markets

Mar 28 25

How RFK Jr. could threaten vaccine markets: Trump administration actions could convince drug companies that the vaccine market is too risky to enter or remain in ...

The New York Times

nytimes.com/2024/12/08/us/politics/trump-rfk-jr-vaccines-autism.html

Dec 08 24

Trump Suggests RFK Jr. Will Examine Debunked Link Between Vaccines and Autism: The president-elect has promoted the theory for more than a decade and said on ...

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248

848 96

U.S. News & World Report

usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-12-10/q-a-why-have-autism-rates-risen-in-the-u-s

Dec 11 24

Q&A: Why Have Autism Rates Risen in the U.S.?: Robert Kennedy, Trump’s pick to lead HHS, has touted a debunked theory about vaccines ...