RFK Jr. claims autism 'dwarfs' COVID-19 because it hits kids not 'old people'
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
proclaimed that the impact of
autism
greatly exceeds the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on American lives. The known
conspiracy theorist
made the claim during an appearance on
The Cats Roundtable
radio show on WABC 770 AM on Sunday.
"It dwarfs the COVID epidemic and the impacts on our country because
COVID
killed old people," Kennedy told the show's host, John Catsimatidis. "Autism affects children and affects them at the beginning of their lives, the beginning of their productivity.'
'And it's absolutely debilitating for them, their families, their communities and for our county — just the pure economic cost of autism,' he added. According to Kennedy Jr., autism will eventually cost the economy '1 trillion dollars a year' by 2035. The HHS secretary did not elaborate on where he got that figure.
Read More
Related Articles
Deranged Donald Trump posts mad 184-word Easter message taking aim at all his enemies
Read More
Related Articles
Donald Trump branded 'dumbest President ever' after six-word comment about Congo
Kennedy's statement comes hot on the heels of his previous comments saying that children with autism will face a lot of "nevers" in their lives, including never holding a job and never going on a date. The claim went further than just saying kids with autism will never have a job or fall in love, as according to him, they won't be able to play sports, write creatively, or use the bathroom unattended either.
"These are kids who will never pay taxes, they'll never hold a job, they'll never play baseball, they'll never write a poem. They'll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted," RFK Jr. said. Several X users called him "cruel" and "dehumanizing" for making such a statement on live television
while providing zero evidence
.
"This is cruel, ableist rhetoric masquerading as concern. RFK Jr. reduces children with disabilities to economic burdens and stripped humanity," a user wrote on X under a clip of RFK making the statement posted by the X user Acyn. "This kind of blanket statement is harmful, dehumanizing and flat-out wrong," another wrote.
"This is f****** disgusting," another commented. "This absolutely disgusting. He is vile," another wrote in the comments.
RFK Jr. recently said autism is a "preventable disease" caused by "environmental exposure" and added that "it has to be, genes do not cause epidemics." While the exact cause of autism is not known, researchers have reported that there can be multiple causes of the disorder, leaving the process of pinpointing one cause to be complex.
However, researchers have made it clear that genetics have a large part to play in diagnosing the disorder. In his speech, Kennedy cited a recent statistic from the CDC that found 1 in 31 children are diagnosed with autism by the age of 8 in America.
He then vowed to find the cause of the "disease" by September, despite researchers and scientists studying the disorder for multiple decades without being able to do so. "By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic, and we'll be able to eliminate those exposures," Kennedy said in a cabinet meeting earlier this month.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libyan Express
25-05-2025
- Libyan Express
Libyan entities dispute financial transfer allegations
Libyan organisations dispute money transfer reports Two Libyan organisations have rejected claims published by an American digital publication, stating they will pursue legal action over what they describe as inaccurate reporting. The Tebyan platform, which is connected to Libya's Government of National Unity, and Libyan Airlines have both issued statements disputing assertions made by the Washington Eye website concerning alleged financial transfers by Libyan officials. Tebyan said the Washington Eye's report about fund transfers by Libyan authorities lacked reliable sources. The platform described the American outlet as a recently established entity operating within what it called a 'regional media disinformation network' targeting Libya's stability. According to Tebyan's statement, the report was attributed to what it claimed was a fictitious individual. Libyan Airlines separately disputed specific claims about one of its flights, describing the Washington Eye's coverage as containing false information. The carrier said assertions about flight LN203 were inaccurate. The airline stated that the flight in question operated between Alexandria Airport and Mitiga Airport, differing from the publication's claim that it travelled from Mitiga to Istanbul. Libyan Airlines described itself as a commercial carrier separate from political matters, saying it was surprised to be involved in political disputes. Both organisations said they reserved the right to take legal action against media outlets that published or promoted the disputed information without verification. The Washington Eye had cited unnamed Turkish sources claiming that Abdul Hamid Dabaiba, head of the Government of National Unity, personally oversaw the transfer of more than $400 million to Turkey over the past week. The website alleged these transfers occurred through regular Libyan flights operated by individuals connected to Dabaiba, coinciding with Libya's political instability and increased scrutiny of such operations. The Government of National Unity and Dabaiba's office have not issued separate responses to the allegations.
Libyan Express
25-05-2025
- Libyan Express
Gaza doctor's family amongst 79 killed in airstrikes
Israeli blockade continues as Gaza death toll reaches 53,901 Palestinian health authorities in Gaza announced on Saturday that 79 bodies had been brought to medical facilities following Israeli military operations conducted over the previous day. The figure does not include potential casualties from Gaza's northern region, where medical infrastructure has become inaccessible due to ongoing conflict. The fatalities include a devastating personal tragedy for one medical professional. Dr Alaa Najjar, who works as a paediatrician at Nasser Hospital, lost nine of her ten children when their home was struck on Friday evening in Khan Younis, situated in Gaza's southern area. Dr Ahmad al-Farra, who heads the paediatric unit at Nasser Hospital, reported that Dr Najjar was working her hospital shift when the attack occurred. Upon returning home, she discovered her house engulfed in flames. Her husband sustained serious injuries, whilst her sole surviving child—an 11-year-old boy—remains in critical condition. The children who died were aged between seven months and 12 years. Health Ministry spokesman Khalil al-Dokran told the Associated Press that two young victims are still trapped beneath rubble. Israeli military officials have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this particular incident. However, the Israeli Defence Forces announced earlier on Saturday that their air operations had targeted over 100 locations throughout Gaza during the same timeframe. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, these recent deaths bring the conflict's total death toll to 53,901 since the violence began on 7th October 2023. The ministry stated that 3,747 Palestinians have died since Israel recommenced major operations on 18th March, part of an effort to compel Hamas to agree to modified ceasefire conditions. Israel's strategy has included implementing a comprehensive blockade affecting Gaza's population of more than 2 million residents since early March. This week marked the first time since the blockade's implementation that a small number of humanitarian supply lorries entered the territory. However, these deliveries represent a dramatic reduction from the approximately 600 daily lorry shipments that occurred during previous ceasefire periods. International food security specialists have issued famine warnings, whilst photographs showing desperate Palestinians competing for meals at dwindling charitable feeding centres have prompted Israel's international partners to urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to permit increased humanitarian access. Netanyahu's government has presented a new American-backed system for aid delivery and distribution, though United Nations officials and partner organisations have declined participation, arguing it would weaponise food assistance and breach humanitarian standards. Recent correspondence obtained by the Associated Press suggests Israel may be reconsidering its position to allow humanitarian organisations continued oversight of non-food relief efforts. Whilst Israel maintains that Hamas has diverted aid supplies, UN representatives and humanitarian groups dispute claims of substantial diversion. The 7th October assault on southern Israeli communities resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, with Hamas taking 251 individuals as hostages. Israel's subsequent military response has severely damaged much of Gaza, with the Health Ministry reporting that women and children comprise the majority of Palestinian casualties. Israeli officials state they will continue with military operations until Hamas releases all 58 remaining Israeli hostages and surrenders its weapons. Hamas leadership has indicated they will only return the remaining hostages in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoner releases, a permanent ceasefire, and complete Israeli military withdrawal from the territory. Netanyahu has dismissed these conditions and pledged to maintain Israeli oversight of Gaza whilst supporting what he describes as voluntary Palestinian population relocation.
Libyan Express
18-05-2025
- Libyan Express
US embassy in Libya denies reports over Gaza resettlement plans
BY Libyan Express May 18, 2025 - 03:58 Majority of Gazans were internally displaced in the recent war with Israel. (Photo: AP) The US embassy in Libya has issued a firm denial following recent media reports suggesting American plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Libyan territory. In an official statement posted to their X account , the embassy described these claims as 'completely baseless' and clarified that no such proposals have been discussed with Libyan authorities or any other parties. The categorical denial directly addresses speculation that appeared in several US news outlets, which had suggested the US administration was considering establishing temporary shelter zones in multiple countries, including Libya, to accommodate Gazans amid the humanitarian situation in the Strip. 'The United States remains firmly committed to supporting the Libyan people, Libya's sovereignty, and its territorial integrity,' the embassy stated, adding that 'any decision regarding the future of Gaza residents must be made by the Palestinians themselves.' The clarification has received positive reception across Libyan political and social circles, with many groups expressing their opposition to any initiatives that could potentially compromise national sovereignty or utilise Gaza's humanitarian emergency for alternative purposes. This diplomatic exchange occurs against the backdrop of a worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, where international organisations continue to advocate for enhanced civilian protection measures and urgent crisis resolution strategies. The embassy's position reinforces diplomatic protocols regarding territorial sovereignty whilst acknowledging the Palestinian right to self-determination during this ongoing crisis. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
