RFK Jr. says Trump ‘certainly’ wants him to investigate any link between autism and vaccines

August 2, 2026 - 19:53

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Sunday that President Trump clearly supports his effort to look into any possible connection between autism and vaccines. Speaking in an interview, Kennedy stated that the president "certainly" wants him to pursue the matter, though he did not offer new evidence or a timeline for any formal study.

Kennedy has long raised questions about vaccine safety, often drawing criticism from public health officials who point to decades of research showing no link between vaccines and autism. His latest comments come as he leads the nation's top health agency, a role that puts him in charge of federal vaccine policy and oversight.

During the interview, Kennedy said he plans to follow the science wherever it leads, but he did not specify what kind of research he would commission or how it would differ from existing studies. Major medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have repeatedly stated that vaccines are safe and do not cause autism.

Critics worry that reopening this debate could undermine public trust in immunization programs at a time when measles cases are rising in several states. Kennedy has not yet announced any concrete steps, but his remarks signal that the administration is willing to revisit a topic that most mainstream scientists consider settled.