Trump says RFK Jr. will investigate the discredited link between vaccines and autism: ‘Somebody has to find out’
NBCDEC 2024
Trump Backs RFK Jr.'s Plan to Study Vaccines and Rising Autism Rates
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Above: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a campaign rally for then-Republican presidential nominee, former Pres.-elect Donald Trump at Macomb Community College on Nov. 1, 2024, in Warren, Michigan. Image copyright: Chip Somodevilla/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The dramatic increase in autism rates over the past 25 years demands an investigation into potential environmental causes, whether they be vaccines or something else. The current health system also needs reform to ensure proper vaccine safety testing and transparent research into the chronic health crisis affecting American children.
Narrative B
Scientific evidence conclusively shows no link between vaccines and autism, with hundreds of studies confirming vaccine safety. The rise in autism diagnoses has been attributed to better screening, expanded diagnostic criteria, and increased awareness, not to vaccines or any other external factors.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 50% chance that the national kindergarten measles vaccination rate in the US will be at least 91% in the 2028-2029 school year, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
