‘WOW!’ Trump Falsely Claims Rise in Autism In Last-Ditch Appeal for RFK Right Before Crucial Senate Vote

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump seemed to suggest that Robert Kennedy Jr, his nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, could find a cure for autism — or, at least, dramatically slow down its growth rate. Conversely, he could have also been unwittingly signaling concern that RFK, Jr.’s confirmation, the vote of which is imminent, may be in peril.

RFK, Jr. has long curried controversy with his suggestion that the rise in autism was tied to vaccines. This came up repeatedly during a contentious confirmation hearing, though the vast majority of criticism he faced came from Democratic senators.

Trump pointed out on social media that “Autism in children was 1 in 10,000. NOW it’s 1 in 34,” before nefariously insisting “Something’s really wrong,” and calling for support of”BOBBY” as he is known by friends and family.

Trump posted on Truth Social:

20 years ago, Autism in children was 1 in 10,000. NOW IT’S 1 in 34. WOW! Something’s really wrong. We need BOBBY!!! Thank You! DJT

RFK Jr has said a lot of absurd things about vaccines, even writing an extended essay about it for Rolling Stone magazine, which was later retracted because of factual inaccuracies.

That said, Trump’s warning here is not supported by the facts. There has been a rise in cases of autism but the most notable reaason is a change in methodology and reporting, not specifically vaccines. More importantly, 20 years ago, cases of autism was NOT 1 in 10,000 as Trump falsely asserted.

From data readily available from the CDC, about 1 in 36 kids have been diagnosed with some form of autism, but 20 years ago, it was 1 in 125 to 1 in 110 (2004-2006.) From the CDC:

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There are myriad reasons why there is a rise in cases of autism, but mostly, it’s because the medical community has discovered a literal spectrum of abilities that we now recognize as differently abled. Trump’s false suggestion that somehow RFK Jr. could slow a rise in autism ignores the fact that we collectively have a much clearer understanding of human psychology.

(Data flagged by NewsNation Research)