Rosie O'Donnell calls for HHS Secretary RFK Jr's resignation over 'dehumanizing' comments about autism

WASHINGTON, DC: Rosie O'Donnell is calling out Robert F Kennedy Jr after his recent remarks about autism stirred outrage.

The comedian and autism advocate slammed RFK Jr's claim that "autism destroys families" and urged him to step down from any public health role.

The health and human services secretary's statement, which many have condemned as harmful and dehumanizing, has sparked a wave of backlash from people with autism and their families, who say his words reduce them to burdens rather than recognizing their humanity and value.

Rosie O'Donnell rebukes Robert F Kennedy Jr over controversial remarks about autistic children

In a pointed interview with CNN, Rosie O'Donnell didn’t hold back as she responded to Robert F Kennedy Jr’s controversial comments about autistic children. Joining the seven-minute segment, the former 'The View' host called his remarks "very disrespectful" after a clip of his statements was aired.

“I think it's disgraceful and I think he is wholly unqualified to be the head of Health and Human Services. I think most of the cabinet picks that Donald Trump has made are part of his vision of a reality show government, and not the most qualified people available, especially Robert Kennedy," O'Donnell said.

Expressed disbelief, she added, "And to think that his family is the one that created the Special Olympics, and he would go on with such disgraceful, dehumanizing remarks, is absolutely deplorable.”

O'Donnell, whose 12-year-old child Clay is autistic, wrapped up her comments with a clear call to action: "And I feel he should resign or be released from his position."

Internet agrees with Rosie O'Donnell as she blasts Robert F Kennedy Jr over comments about autism 

After Rosie O'Donnell publicly condemned Robert F Kennedy Jr's remarks about autism, many internet users quickly echoed her sentiments, sharing her comments widely and voicing their agreement online.

One wrote, "He's not a doctor or a trained physician in any way.  He is unqualified," and another said, "It was because he’s not a doctor. He says my daughter who’s 23 with autism will never date. We’ll never hold a job. never pay her taxes when she’s out there every single week looking for a job and looking for a door to open."

A person remarked, "Like her or not —she's absolutely right. What he said is not only disgusting, it isn't even close to being true," whereas someone else added, "She’s correct. He is wholly unqualified. Just a lawyer that makes money lying about science. Got the job because he made a deal to drop out of the race."

"Rfk jr is deplorable- and unqualified, hysterical, and generally unbalanced," another comment read. 

Taking a jab at the HHS secretary, an individual wrote, "One of the unexpected bonuses of RFK!"

What did Robert F Kennedy Jr say about autistic children?

At a press conference on Wednesday, April 16, Robert F Kennedy Jr claimed that many children with autism will never be able to work, form relationships, or participate in everyday activities, as per Fox News. 

“Autism destroys families, but more importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which are our children,” RFK Jr stated. “These are children who should not be suffering like this. These are kids who, many of them were fully functional, and regressed because of some environmental exposure (that led) to autism, and they're two years old.”

He continued with a grim portrayal: “These are kids who 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. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted. And we have to recognize that we're doing this to our children.”

RFK Jr also referenced a recent CDC report highlighting that autism spectrum disorder now affects about 1 in 36 children in the US, a sharp increase from 1 in 150 in the year 2000.

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.