The following article is not satire, nor is it an exaggeration. It is, unfortunately, a real-life current event that we should all take seriously. 

On April 10, 2025, Donald Trump met with his (wildly unqualified) cabinet members—and his unelected co-president, Elon Musk—for a meeting that mostly involved the President receiving awkward, undeserved praise from his inner circle. During the meeting, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. announced that he’s “launched a massive testing and research effort" to “determine the cause of autism.”

Not satisfied with merely promising the impossible, Kennedy boldly vowed that "by September [2025], we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and we will be able to eliminate those exposures." 

President Trump chimed in, speculating that the “horrible statistics” (autism diagnosis rates) must be caused by something artificial people are “taking” or “eating.” He suggested, with total confidence, that “maybe it's a shot” (vaccine) that causes autism—a pseudoscientific claim that's been debunked since 2005. 

Let that sink in. The person in charge of making decisions about the USA's health policies believes that autism—a condition studied by neuroscientists for decades—can be "solved" in five months. And he's already hinting at his predetermined conclusion. This isn't just breathtaking arrogance; it's a calculated attack on scientific integrity that puts real autistic people at risk. 

And Kennedy's choice to lead this "research"? A man who practiced medicine without a degree or license.

You can't make this stuff up. 🫠

Here’s my take on what’s happening and why we should all be concerned.

The Ridiculously Impossible Timeline 

September 2025. That's when Kennedy promises to solve one of the most complex neurodevelopmental conditions known to science. Five months to accomplish what thousands of researchers with actual qualifications have been trying to understand for decades.

This is unrealistic, laughably absurd, and dangerous. 

Real scientific research takes years. You design studies, get ethical approval, recruit participants, collect data, analyze results, subject your work to peer review, and then do it again. And again. Until you have enough data to support your hypothesis. But apparently Kennedy plans to skip all that tedious "method" stuff.

What this deadline actually reveals is Kennedy's true agenda: he's not conducting research—he's planning a press conference. The conclusion is already written; they're just backfilling the “evidence.” Who needs the scientific method when you've got a political agenda and a ticking clock?

Science vs. Ideology 

The whole "vaccines cause autism" theory didn't spring from nowhere. It started with Andrew Wakefield's 1998 paper that studied exactly 12 children, used unethical methods, hid financial conflicts of interest, and was so riddled with problems that the journal eventually retracted it. (Which means it was so bad and so wrong about everything it claimed, that it can’t even be labeled as science anymore.) In other words, THE STUDY HAS BEEN DEBUNKED. VACCINES DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM.

Not to mention, Wakefield lost his medical license because of this.

Since then, hundreds of studies involving millions of children have thoroughly debunked any vaccine-autism link. But Kennedy keeps citing the same discredited sources while ignoring mountains of contrary evidence (AKA, literal facts.)

When Republican Senator Bill Cassidy—an actual physician—asked Kennedy to "reassure mothers unequivocally and without qualification, that the measles and hepatitis B vaccines do not cause autism," Kennedy dodged with: "If the data is there, I will absolutely do that."

“If the data is there?” The data has been there for decades, dude. 

Who Needs Qualifications? Not David Geier.

If you were launching a serious investigation into the science of autism, who would you choose to lead the study? 

Because RFK Jr. just appointed someone with these credentials:

• Promotes the use of puberty blockers to “treat” autistic children 

• Practiced medicine on autistic children—without a license

• Highest degree: B.A. in Biology (that’s right… not a doctor)

• No medical experience or scientific training

👋 Meet David Geier, Kennedy's choice to lead this massive research effort that will cost millions of taxpayers’ dollars. 

But fear not! What Geier lacks in qualifications, he makes up for in... actually, he doesn't make up for it at all. 

David Geier’s main credential appears to be agreeing with Kennedy’s vaccine conspiracies. He has no qualifications elsewhere. It gets worse: Geier only had access to autistic children because his father, Mark Geier, was a practitioner at the time. After the medical board’s discovery of their medical misconduct, Mark’s medical license was immediately revoked. 

…..And now David is leading a 5-month research initiative that could have major impacts on autistic people’s lives. (Reminder: this is real life, folks.)

🚩 Something Shady I’d Like To Point Out

I wanted to draw attention to something since I have the platform: David Geier’s legal cases against him are nowhere to be found online. 

For those unaware, all legal cases (except for extremely rare, special cases) are in a database belonging to either the county or state in which the case was ruled. Mark Geier’s case is readily available online. (Also here.) It even references David Geier’s cases by number. (2008-0022 and 2009-0318, for those curious.) But if you search “David Geier,” in the database? Nothing. (Except for, conveniently, a case where he was the plaintiff.) And if you search his case numbers? They don’t exist. 

Just wanted to flag that. Moving on. 

Real Harm to Real People 

This isn't just about bad science—it's about real, lasting damage to real people. Kennedy's rhetoric frames autism as a tragedy to be prevented rather than a natural form of human neurology. 

When you claim you'll find what "caused the autism epidemic," you're telling autistic people their very existence is a medical emergency. 

Instead of funding what autistic advocates actually request—better accommodations, healthcare, employment support, and community inclusion—Kennedy diverts resources toward his vaccine obsession.

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) put it bluntly: Kennedy's claims are "untrue, impossible, and ableist." They point out that "decades of time and billions of dollars have already been spent on research to identify the causes of autism, far outstripping the time and effort spent on researching how to improve the health and well-being of living autistic people."

Kennedy's fixation on environmental "exposures" pushes the harmful narrative that autistic people are damaged versions of "normal" people rather than individuals with different but equally valid neurological makeups. 

💭 Thought question: How would you feel if a government official suggested your fundamental being was a preventable mistake? 

Autism Rates Are Not “On The Rise”

One of my biggest issues with all of this is their justification for the research. They claim that “autism rates are on the rise.” While this isn’t necessarily wrong, it requires some context.

Autism rates are not “on the rise.” Access to diagnosis is on the rise. Practitioners’ understanding of autism is on the rise. Self advocacy is on the rise. Research is on the rise. (That is, quality research is on the rise. Whatever RFK Jr. and Geier are doing is not research, as we’ve already established.)

This is the cherry-picking again. Just because Autism diagnoses are on the rise, does not mean autistic people are just spawning out of nowhere more and more frequently. Autistic people have always been here. It’s just easier for them and their parents to access information. There’s a huge difference.

Broader Public Health Threats

Kennedy's autism crusade doesn't exist in a vacuum. 

Since assuming the position of HHS secretary, he's:

• Overseen the firing of about 10,000 scientists and researchers from health agencies

• Halted more than 1,000 clinical trials, including cancer research and studies on HIV prevention 

• Cut 40 grants aimed at addressing vaccine hesitancy (gee, wonder why? 🙄)

• Watched as measles—a disease we ALMOST fully eliminated—infected hundreds and killed three Americans (as of April 2025)

Oh, and just recently? He encouraged the public to get their MMR vaccines in response to those measles deaths, enraging hundreds of thousands of anti-vaxxers with his contradictory statements and actions. These are the actions of someone who truly does not know what they are doing, underlining how unqualified he is for this position.

He's dismantling our public health infrastructure while spreading misinformation from the highest levels of government. 

The results are already showing up in hospital wards across the country. Nothing says "Make America Healthy Again" like firing the people who know how human health works and bringing back diseases we conquered generations ago.

Not to mention, open up any social media app and you’re sure to scroll past plenty of posts echoing this Trump-era pseudoscience and fear-mongering misinformation. 

Studies have shown that the spread of vaccine misinformation on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram has had a catastrophic impact on public health. (See sources at the end of this blog.)

But those scientists have likely been fired since publishing this, so it’s only a matter of time before that evidence is gone for good, just like those pages and data from the CDC website.

Racism 

Somehow, it gets even worse.

RFK Jr. has promoted racist pseudoscience, claiming Black people need different vaccine schedules due to "stronger immune systems"—a claim with absolutely no scientific basis that echoes some of the darkest chapters in American medical history.

He's advocated lowering evidence standards for drug approvals, which experts warn could lead to ineffective or harmful treatments reaching patients. Officials who refused to promote misinformation have resigned or been forced out.

And while Kennedy focuses on his vaccine vendetta, critical work—preventing chronic disease, improving mental health care, and addressing health disparities—has stalled. 

Turns out when you fire thousands of scientists, important work doesn't get done.

Who could’ve predicted that?

So, What Do We Do?

We don’t ignore it. We name it. We fact-check it. We stop letting misinformation shape the conversation about neurodivergence. We challenge pseudoscience. 

Because the more we let it slide, the more space it takes up—online, in schools, in legislation.

When confronting these beliefs, keep it straightforward: stick to the facts, use credible sources, and ask questions that make them think critically. Don’t get caught in a back-and-forth of emotions—bring the conversation back to the evidence. It’s about making them engage with what’s real, not playing into the theatrics of the claim.

We demand real research, real support, and real respect for the autistic community.

Because the truth doesn’t need a cure. And neither do autistics.

How to Talk to Someone Who Still Believes Vaccines Cause Autism

Here’s the thing: you’re not going to change their mind by throwing PubMed links at them. If someone genuinely believes that vaccines cause autism (despite the original study being retracted and its author losing his medical license for fraud), they're emotionally invested in the misinformation at this point. And when people are emotionally invested, logic is hard to communicate.

So instead of launching into a TED Talk, try this:

1. Check your own temperature.

Yes, it's frustrating. But if you go in angry or condescending, you're just confirming what they already believe: that you're some smug know-it-all who doesn't listen. Keep your tone calm and curious—even if you're screaming inside.

2. Lead with questions, not accusations.

Asking questions makes them think instead of jumping into defensive mode. Try…

• “Where did you hear that?”

• “Do you trust that source?”

• “What makes you believe that’s true?”

That way, you’re strategically poking at the logic without setting off their alarm bells.

3. Appeal to values, not just data.

People don’t believe misinformation because they’ve done a deep dive into peer-reviewed journals. They believe it because it feels true—it taps into fear, uncertainty, or a need to protect their kids.

So instead of data-dumping, try something like:

“I totally get why that’s scary to hear! I had questions too. But when I looked into it, I found out that the original study was actually retracted, and the doctor lost his license because of how badly it was done.”

Now you sound like someone they can relate to—not someone trying to win an argument.

4. Drop one solid fact, then stop talking.

Don’t turn into a search engine. Just offer one well-sourced contradiction and let it sit.

“Did you know there’s a study from 2019 that followed over 650,000 kids, and it still showed zero link between vaccines and autism? The study RFK Jr. cites only had 12 kids.”

And then? Zip it. Let them marinate.

5. Leave the door open.

You don’t need to convert them on the spot. You just need to make it safe for them to be curious later.

“If you ever want a breakdown that makes all the research actually make sense, I’ve got a good one I can send you!”

That’s it. You planted the seed. No arguing, no fact war, no burned bridges. (Though, it’s totally valid if you want to burn bridges. 100% your choice!)

Standing Against Misinformation

Kennedy’s approach is the opposite of science. He starts with the conclusion, then cherry-picks whatever scraps of data support it—ignoring the full context, the evidence that contradicts him, and the real-world consequences.

This is propaganda 101.

And it’s dangerous. It erodes trust in medicine, diverts resources from supports that actually help, and spreads stigma like it’s part of the treatment plan. All while pretending to be on some noble mission to “help” autistic people.

Spoiler: it’s not helpful if it’s based on shame, fear, or erasure.

What Kennedy is selling isn’t a cure—it’s a scapegoat. A convenient distraction from real issues in healthcare, education, and accessibility. And the more airtime we give these narratives, the harder it is for actual neurodivergent people to be heard.

And no, some arbitrary September deadline won’t change that. Unless Kennedy’s planning to reverse time or publish in the Journal of Imaginary Breakthroughs, his autism “cure” is about as scientifically sound as RFK Jr.’s brain worm.

🪱 Though, honestly, the worm’s doing less harm.

Sources