In a fiery interview on Meet the Press, President-elect Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to addressing rising autism rates in America by naming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Trump’s comments, paired with Kennedy’s long-standing advocacy for vaccine safety, reignited debates over the alleged link between vaccines and autism—a topic fiercely contested in both medical and political spheres.
NBC moderator Kristen Welker pressed Trump on the controversial choice, but her attempt to frame the issue as a “gotcha moment” fell flat, exposing what many saw as a defense of pharmaceutical interests.
Recent studies have spotlighted an alarming rise in autism diagnoses among American children. A March 2023 study published in Pediatrics found that autism prevalence among 8-year-olds in New York and New Jersey had tripled over the last 16 years. The CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network reported that approximately 1 in 36 children is now identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a figure that underscores the growing public health challenge.
The CDC’s report also revealed disparities in autism diagnoses, noting that Black and Hispanic children are now more likely than White children to receive a diagnosis. ASD remains over four times more common in boys than in girls.
Federal health officials have partly blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for hindering early interventions and treatments for developmental disabilities, exacerbating the challenges faced by children and their families.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent figure in the vaccine skepticism movement, has long advocated for an investigation into the potential link between vaccines and the rise in autism cases. In March 2023, Kennedy tweeted:
“Why does CDC refuse to investigate the cause of exploding Autism epidemic far more devastating than COVID?”
Kennedy’s focus on vaccine safety aligns with his broader “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, a platform he has championed since endorsing Trump. Critics often dismiss his claims as baseless, but supporters argue that his calls for transparency and accountability in public health policy are long overdue.
Trump’s decision to appoint Kennedy as HHS Secretary signals his willingness to challenge the status quo in public health. Speaking with Welker, Trump defended Kennedy’s qualifications, emphasizing the importance of investigating potential causes behind the autism epidemic.
“I’m not saying he’s right about everything,” Trump said. “But we need someone who’s willing to ask the tough questions and follow the evidence wherever it leads.”
Welker appeared eager to paint the decision as a misstep, interrupting Trump repeatedly in what seemed like an effort to steer the narrative. Her approach backfired, as viewers accused her of prioritizing pharmaceutical interests over a genuine exploration of the issue.
JUST IN 🚨 Kristen Welker tried to back Trump in a corner on RFK Jr and Vaccines and he drops the 🎤 on her 🔥
THIS IS HOW YOU HANDLE THE FAKE NEWS 👏 pic.twitter.com/Qpu8o01y2v
— Marjorie Taylor Greene Press Release (Parody) (@MTGrepp) December 8, 2024
The vaccine-autism debate remains one of the most contentious topics in public health. The medical community broadly rejects the notion of a causal link between vaccines and autism, citing extensive studies that have found no evidence to support such claims. However, advocates like Kennedy argue that these studies often lack transparency or are influenced by conflicts of interest.
Critics of Trump’s choice argue that appointing Kennedy risks undermining trust in vaccines, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Proponents, however, see the move as a necessary step to address a public health crisis that has been overshadowed by political correctness and corporate influence.
Kristen Welker’s handling of the interview drew criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Rather than engaging with Trump’s points, Welker’s combative tone and apparent dismissal of the autism epidemic’s severity left her vulnerable to accusations of journalistic bias.
“She wasn’t listening,” one viewer commented on social media. “This isn’t about politics—it’s about children’s health.”
As Trump prepares to take office, his partnership with Kennedy signals a shift in how public health issues may be addressed under his administration. Whether the investigation into autism rates and vaccine safety uncovers actionable findings or remains mired in controversy, it reflects Trump’s willingness to challenge deeply entrenched systems.
For families grappling with autism diagnoses, the focus on understanding and addressing the crisis offers a glimmer of hope. But for Trump and Kennedy, the path forward will require navigating fierce opposition from both the medical establishment and a divided public.
Trump’s unapologetic defense of RFK Jr. and his vision for the Department of Health and Human Services underscores his broader commitment to confronting systemic challenges. While the appointment has sparked heated debate, it ensures that the rising prevalence of autism will remain a key focus of the incoming administration.
4 Comments
Welker should abandon her leftist bias and start being a real journalist, or of course, find different work.
If it is that cut-and-dry as Welker asserts, RFK, Jr. will have a lot more time to devote to Making America Healthy Again with whatever is next on the agenda. Why would you not investigate when it is that clear that autism is rising. Agree, it is probably better diagnosis, but why not determine that. When someone says “scientist say,” I do not touch my head. If Covid taught me anything, it was NOT listen to scientist, or Meet the DePressed,
She’s a bought and paid for freaking TOOL! Her worship of Money is so apparent! BYE-BYE Welker you were never welcome here anyway! Beat It!
Skank!
She by playing politics for the Left especially in such a subject that involves the well-being of countless children and her setting a gotcha trap only proved that she is one sick bitch and owned tool!