In The Politics of Autism, I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism. This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing diseases to spread. Examples include measles, COVID, flu, and polio.
A number of posts discussed Trump's support for the discredited notion.
Another leading anti-vaxxer is Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. He has repeatedly compared vaccine mandates to the Holocaust. Rolling Stone and Salon retracted an RFK article linking vaccines to autism. He is part of the "Disinformation Dozen." He helped cause a deadly 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa.
He is now Trump's secretary of HHS. At a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health , three members eviscerated him.
Rep. Kim Schreier (D-WA) -- a pediatrician:
Take 5 minutes to watch @DrKimSchrier give a masterclass on how to use your committee time. 👇 pic.twitter.com/Ss17jl2F5b
— Rachel Bitecofer 🗽🦆 (@RachelBitecofer) June 24, 2025
AOC: Are you aware that President Trump's DOJ is investigating United Health Care for criminal insurance fraud?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 24, 2025
RFK JR: I am not aware of that investigation
AOC: You are not aware that the Trump DOJ is investigating the largest insurance company in America for fraud in Medicare… pic.twitter.com/HGbd3iSIMf
Frank Pallone (D-NJ):
PALLONE: With regard to vaccines, are you just afraid to receive public comments on proposals? There's been no public process
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 24, 2025
RFK JR: We have a public process for regulating vaccines. It's called the ACIP committee.
PALLONE: You fired the committee! pic.twitter.com/H3gvQWV0jL
