Echoes of Eugenics in Autism Rhetoric
The Trump administration, under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., consistently portrays autism not as a natural variation of human development but as a pathological disease in desperate need of a cure. This framing echoes the logic of Aktion T4 in Nazi Germany, where disabled people were dehumanized as “useless eaters” and subjected to state‑sanctioned genocide. In a tragic echo of that cruelty, Kennedy has appointed David Geier—who has no medical license and was fined for practicing medicine without authorization—to lead a federal study on autism. Geier and his father once administered Lupron, a potent hormone‑blocking drug used for chemical castration, to autistic children under the guise of therapy—treatments so ethically dubious and scientifically unsound that Mark Geier lost his license in several states and David was fined for unlicensed medical practice
Even as the administration intensifies its focus on curing or eliminating autism, it fails to acknowledge how certain autistic traits—such as social awkwardness, sensory sensitivity, or intense special interests—are often found among individuals drawn to white nationalist circles. Many socially isolated and disaffected autistic youth, particularly young men, are pulled into extremist online subcultures that offer a sense of belonging and identity when meaningful friendships feel out of reach. This dynamic is well documented in literature that explores the "Black Pill" ideology. Books like Culture Warlords, Black Pill, and other analyses of hate-forum recruitment show how white supremacist groups deliberately target autistic and neurodivergent individuals, offering acceptance in exchange for ideological conformity—often with dangerous real-world consequences.
RFK says autistic people will never pay taxes or live on their own.
In an April 2025 press conference, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made controversial statements about autism, claiming that many autistic children “will never pay taxes, they’ll never hold a job, they’ll never play baseball, they’ll never write a poem, they’ll never go out on a date,” and that “most cases now are severe.” These remarks sparked outrage and criticism from medical experts and autistic advocates who say Kennedy’s portrayal is overly negative and misleading.
Research shows that while about 25-27% of autistic individuals have severe challenges, such as being nonverbal or having intellectual disabilities, the majority do not face these extreme limitations. Many autistic people lead fulfilling lives, hold jobs, and participate in social activities, including sports and relationships. Studies have found a significant portion of autistic individuals have average or above-average intelligence, and many are employed or socially active.
The man RFK put in to look into autism, David Geier, practiced medicine without a license, and he gave medicine to autistic kids that is used for chemical castration.
Summary
David Geier, a longtime anti-vaccine activist with no medical degree and a history of disciplinary action, has reportedly been selected by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead a new federal study exploring a debunked link between vaccines and autism. Geier and his father, who lost his medical license in multiple states, previously promoted discredited claims about thimerosal in vaccines causing autism and used unproven, controversial treatments on autistic children. Experts are shocked by the appointment, comparing it to hiring disgraced ex-doctor Andrew Wakefield, and warning it signals a politically motivated effort to validate Kennedy’s long-standing vaccine skepticism rather than conduct credible science. Critics argue Geier lacks qualifications and credibility, and that his past research has been criticized for bias and methodological flaws. With a deadly measles outbreak ongoing, vaccine experts see this move as a dangerous attack on public health and scientific integrity.
The Geiers and Lupron, a medicine used in the chemical castration of sex offenders
David Geier has been charged by the Maryland Board of Physicians with practicing medicine without a license, just weeks after his father, Dr. Mark Geier, had his medical license suspended for allegedly endangering autistic children. The two operated clinics in Maryland where they promoted a discredited theory linking autism to mercury in vaccines and treated children with Lupron, a drug used for prostate cancer and sometimes chemical castration. The board claims Mark Geier over-diagnosed precocious puberty in autistic children to justify Lupron use, and that David Geier was actively involved in treating patients despite lacking a medical license.
Some Are Excusing Elon Musk's Nazi Salute as Autism.
Elon Musk’s gesture at a Trump inauguration rally was interpreted by many as a Nazi-style salute. Some online defenders claimed Musk’s action was due to his autism; he previously disclosed having Asperger’s syndrome (a form of autism spectrum disorder). However, autistic advocates and mental health professionals strongly pushed back, stating that autism does not cause or excuse hate-fueled gestures. Experts emphasized that autistic people are capable of understanding the social impact of their actions and that Musk’s gesture appeared intentional, not involuntary or misinterpreted stimming behavior.
Autistic individuals interviewed expressed frustration and anger at the idea that autism was being used as a shield for potentially extremist behavior. They stressed that using autism to excuse harmful or controversial acts perpetuates damaging stereotypes and misrepresents the condition. The discussion also pointed out Musk’s known alignment with far-right politics and argued that this, rather than neurodivergence, should be the focus of public scrutiny.
Elon Musk claimed Neuralink could “solve” autism.
In an appearance on the Artificial Intelligence podcast with Lex Fridman in 2019, Elon Musk discussed the goals of Neuralink, his brain-implant technology company. Musk claimed that Neuralink could eventually "solve" several brain-related conditions, including schizophrenia, memory loss, and controversially, autism. He described the potential of the AI-enabled brain chip to stimulate and record brain activity, and help with neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Musk’s reference to autism as something that could be “solved” sparked criticism, as autism is not a disease but a developmental condition that many consider integral to identity. Organizations like the UK's National Autistic Society emphasize that autism is not something to be cured. Musk has previously stated that Neuralink’s long-term goal is to create a symbiosis between humans and AI, helping humanity keep pace with the advancement of superintelligent machines.
RFK - we are going to find a cure for autism by September (2025).
In April 2025, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged to launch a large-scale international research initiative aimed at identifying the cause of autism by September. Kennedy, who has long promoted debunked claims linking vaccines to autism, announced the plan during a cabinet meeting, promising to examine a wide range of possible causes, from vaccines to food, air, water, and parenting styles. However, he provided no details on funding or methodology, even as he continues to cut the budget of key health agencies like the NIH and CDC.
The Autism Society of America, strongly criticized the plan as unrealistic, scientifically misguided, and harmful. They emphasized that autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition, not a disease to be "eliminated", and warned that Kennedy’s approach fuels stigma and distracts from actual support needs. The backlash intensified with Kennedy’s hiring of vaccine skeptic David Geier, a controversial figure previously fined for practicing medicine without a license and using dangerous treatments on autistic children.
This administration’s cuts to IDEA and Medicaid could severely impact autistic individuals’ ability to receive a quality education and medical help.
Families of children with disabilities are bracing for severe impacts as the Trump administration pushes forward with major cuts to Medicaid and the Department of Education. These programs have long served as lifelines for children with complex medical and developmental needs, offering access to therapies, surgeries, and education guaranteed by federal law. Parents, like Jolene Baxter of Oklahoma, fear their children will be left behind as Medicaid funding is slashed and the Department of Education is dismantled—moves that undermine civil rights enforcement and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which mandates appropriate public education for students with disabilities.
Advocates warn that without the Department of Education and its Office for Civil Rights, students with disabilities could face discrimination and exclusion from public schools, reminiscent of pre-IDEA conditions when many were denied education. Cuts to Medicaid, which funds essential in-school and home-based care, could force schools to reduce services or push costs onto already-strained state budgets. Families across the country are organizing and traveling to Washington, D.C., to advocate for their children’s rights, fearing that decades of hard-won protections are being rapidly dismantled in ways that could irreparably harm disabled children and their access to education, healthcare, and inclusion.