In The Politics of Autism, I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism. This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing diseases to spread. Examples include measles, COVID, flu, and polio.
A number of posts discussed Trump's support for the discredited notion.
Another leading anti-vaxxer is presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. He has repeatedly compared vaccine mandates to the Holocaust. Rolling Stone and Salon retracted an RFK article linking vaccines to autism. He is part of the "Disinformation Dozen."
He recently ran for president as an independent and has now endorsed Trump. If Trump wins, RFK could get a major job in the administration.
Podcaster Joe Rogan has given RFK Jr. a platform to spread vaccine misinformation.
Aimee Picchi at CBS:Rogan pressed Trump on whether he's "completely committed" to bringing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. into his administration.
"Oh, I completely am," Trump responded, but added he and Kennedy disagree on environmental policies. He said he'll tell Kennedy to "focus on health, do whatever you want."
Kennedy has been instrumental in spreading skepticism about vaccines, rejecting the overwhelming consensus among scientists that the benefits of inoculation outweigh the rare risk of side effects.
