Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Faces Backlash After Offensive Comments About People With Autism

RFK Jr. just stepped into a public fight, and this time the target was people with autism. At a Wednesday press conference, he delivered a string of claims that immediately made a lot of people feel seen, and a lot of other people feel straight-up attacked.

The comments were brutal in their certainty, especially the line about autistic kids “never” doing everyday things like holding jobs, going on dates, or even using the bathroom independently. Online backlash hit fast, including an X user who reminded everyone that autism is a spectrum, plus an autistic person who called the statements disgusting. Even more damning, another autistic commenter said they personally do all the things Kennedy claimed they would never do.

And if you connect this to his earlier promise to “know what has caused the autism epidemic” by September, the whole story gets even messier.

At Wednesday’s press conference, RFK Jr. put forward several completely unfounded claims.

He further stated, inaccurately, "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."

These comments sparked immediate backlash online. One user on X responded firmly, "What is this? Autism is a SPECTRUM. Plenty of kids on the spectrum can play sports, hold jobs, write poetry, and create art, and they are perfectly capable of using the bathroom independently. This commentary is insulting to people who have family members with autism."

Another individual who is autistic expressed outrage directly, stating, "As an autistic person, I find these statements disgusting."

A third commenter highlighted personal experiences contradicting Kennedy’s claims: "I'm autistic and have done all of these things. One of my poems even won awards. I'm in a 10-year relationship, and we still go on dates. I wasn't great at baseball, but it wasn't because of autism."

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"US Health Secretary RFK Jr. claims autistic children 'will never hold jobs, go on dates' "

RFK Jr.’s unfounded remarks have understandably sparked a storm of outrage online.

Kennedy previously said in a cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump, "At your direction, we are going to know by September. We've launched a massive testing and research effort that's going to involve hundreds of scientists from around the world. In September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic, and we'll be able to eliminate those exposures."Getty Images

The 71-year-old had pledged to eliminate the root cause of what he called an “autism epidemic” by September.

Trump praised Kennedy’s goals without citing scientific evidence, suggesting autism could be caused by "something artificial," possibly even "a shot." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that while certain genetic conditions are known to be associated with autism, other causes remain unidentified.

The CDC states, "Scientists believe there are multiple causes of ASD that act together to change the most common ways people develop." Kennedy later elaborated in an interview with Fox News that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) would lead an extensive investigation into potential environmental triggers, claiming, "We're going to look at everything - our food system, our water, our air. We will find out what's triggering this epidemic."Getty Images

That “never hold a job, never go out on a date” rant is what set the comment section on fire right after the Wednesday press conference.

One X user fired back that autism is a spectrum and pointed out autistic kids can play sports, write poetry, and use the bathroom independently.

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Then an autistic person directly called the statements “disgusting,” which made the backlash feel personal, not just political.

The recent comments made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about autism have reignited a critical conversation about the language we use and its profound impact on public perception. His derogatory remarks not only perpetuate harmful stereotypes but also deepen the stigma faced by individuals on the spectrum and their families. The choice of words in discussions surrounding autism is not merely a matter of semantics; it can either empower those affected or further alienate them.

There is a pressing need for positive framing and inclusive dialogue about autism, shifting the focus from deficits to the strengths and contributions of individuals on the spectrum. Initiatives led by autistic individuals themselves can play a crucial role in this shift, promoting a more accurate and compassionate understanding of autism within society. Such efforts are essential in combating the damaging narratives that figures like Kennedy perpetuate with their controversial statements.

In response to Kennedy's comments, experts stress the importance of fostering inclusive environments for individuals with autism.

And when another autistic commenter said they have a 10-year relationship and poems that won awards, Kennedy’s claims stopped sounding like “misunderstandings” and started sounding like denial.

For years, researchers have examined possible genetic and environmental factors linked to autism, noting that rising autism rates since 2000 largely reflect broadened diagnostic criteria and improved awareness rather than a true increase in cases.

Contrary to Kennedy’s claims, extensive research consistently finds no evidence linking vaccines to autism. The CDC clearly states that numerous studies have demonstrated vaccines are not associated with autism.

Kennedy’s misleading assertions continue to fuel misinformation, prompting ongoing criticism and alarm among medical professionals and autism advocacy communities.

The recent comments made by Robert F.

By September, he’ll have plenty of explaining to do, because the internet already provided receipts.

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