US ‘drowning in misinformation’ under RFK Jr, autism advocates say
Autism advocates and health experts warn that misinformation from top U.S. health officials in the Trump administration, particularly under Robert F Kennedy Jr, has eroded public trust and harmed the autistic community. The administration has promoted unproven links between autism and acetaminophen use during pregnancy, while cutting autism research funding and removing FDA warnings about unproven treatments. Advocacy groups are calling for congressional oversight and greater accountability over these policies.
- ▪Robert F Kennedy Jr, as HHS secretary, has promoted misinformation linking autism to acetaminophen despite lack of scientific evidence.
- ▪The administration replaced the federal autism committee with advisers who have anti-vaccine and pseudoscientific backgrounds.
- ▪Autism research funding was cut by approximately $31 million and FDA warnings about unproven autism treatments were removed.
- ▪The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee's first meeting was postponed amid concerns over the administration's actions.
- ▪Kennedy claimed home health aides might be defrauding the government, sparking outrage among disabled individuals and caregivers.
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Experts say that the Trump administration’s top health officials in the past year have focused intently on both vaccines and autism. Photograph: Bonnie Cash/UPI/ShutterstockView image in fullscreenExperts say that the Trump administration’s top health officials in the past year have focused intently on both vaccines and autism. Photograph: Bonnie Cash/UPI/ShutterstockUS newsAnalysisUS ‘drowning in misinformation’ under RFK Jr, autism advocates sayMelody SchreiberHealth officials in Trump administration were accused of fueling ‘crisis of public trust’ over autism and vaccinesSun 3 May 2026 07.00 EDTShareMisinformation from top health officials in the Trump administration has created a “crisis of public trust” – and Congress should conduct oversight hearings and possibly impeach officials…
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