Robert F. Kennedy Jr‘s mission to end autism took another twist during a recent press conference. The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services now insists that, in addition to Tylenol, circumcisions in young children also cause autism.
Kennedy was at the White House Cabinet Room addressing the press on the latest studies he’s been sifting through. He claimed, “There are two studies that show children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism. It’s highly likely because they were given Tylenol.” The studies he’s referring to were from an eight-country effort in 2013 and a later Danish study from 2015.
RFK Jr: There are two studies that show children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism. It's highly likely because they were given Tylenol."
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 9, 2025
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The 2013 research stems from findings linking autism and circumcision across eight countries. According to Scientific American, it was found that countries with higher rates of circumcision also have higher rates of autism. However, the Coalition of Autism Scientists later said the study didn’t take into account how these sample countries diagnose autism or the average age of the parents, both vital autism checks.
The 2015 Danish study examined Jewish and Muslim boys who were circumcised as children, but its findings were also disputed. It failed to consider the differences between circumcisions carried out by doctors and those performed by religious practitioners. The sample size also didn’t meet the expectations of a study like that — it was simply too small to reach any meaningful conclusion. And more importantly, none of these studies were conclusive on autism.
“Flimsy” studies
The Coalition of Autism Scientists said of the botched studies, “I’m ashamed that there are colleagues in my field who would actually go out and conduct a study that is so flimsy — and that it was actually published.” Ultimately, these scientists just want science to be trusted, and that requires specific standards to ensure results can be relied upon.
RFK seems determined to embrace any medical solution that’s not “mainstream.” His tenure at the top of health in the country has been less about bolstering medical research into his ideas and more about embracing any study or conspiracy being pushed by fringe groups.
Medical practitioners are rightfully worried because they unfortunately don’t have the facilities, time, or means to promote their viewpoints the way politicians like RFK can.
Medical practitioners are, however, now taking interviews and explaining how RFK arrived at his quick-fix solutions. This process is necessary because the previous style of simply stating what one should do during the management of COVID-19 fueled suspicion and resentment of mainstream medical care — a position that has achieved its final form in the rise of RFK.
