Trump shares video pushing discredited theory linking vaccines to autism after RFK Jr's Senate grilling
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump posted a video to his Truth Social account on Monday, September 8, promoting the discredited theory that vaccines cause autism.
The resurfaced video featured David Geier, whom Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr once tapped to examine possible vaccine links to autism, and Dr Mark Geier, whose medical license was suspended after accusations he endangered children with autism.
Trump's post comes ahead of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting
Donald Trump shared the video just days after RFK Jr was grilled by senators, including Republicans, on his vaccine positions.
The HHS secretary also faced questions about his leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services and his recommendation that the president dismiss the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) director.
Trump’s post comes ahead of a late September meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, where members are expected to vote on updated recommendations for Covid-19 vaccines and other immunizations.
A White House official, speaking anonymously, told Politico that the video did not suggest either the administration or RFK Jr opposed vaccines. Instead, they framed it as a debate about thimerosal, an ingredient RFK Jr's advisory panel had voted in June to remove from multi-dose flu vaccines.
The official added that the video did not conflict with Trump’s recent praise for vaccines. Asked about Florida’s efforts to eliminate childhood vaccine mandates, the president said last week, “We have to be very careful,” but described some vaccines as “so amazing” and ones that “just pure and simple work.”
The official said, “It’s not binary. You’re not either fully in favor of vaccines without any concerns, or completely against them. If there are concerns—in this case thimerosal—we should take an evidence-based look."
White House official says Trump's stance on vaccines remains unchanged
A second White House official stressed the video did not alter Donald Trump’s “general opinion of vaccines.”
“He’s opposed to mandates, but he believes in longstanding vaccines like polio and measles,” the official said. “But he’s open. If you have evidence, show it to him."
The official recalled Trump initially disapproving of Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo’s plan to end vaccine mandates, reportedly asking, “Why would they do that?” before later hearing arguments for the change.
Still, Trump has both publicly and privately urged caution about vaccine practices, including with older immunizations like polio.
Meanwhile, RFK Jr has pledged to release a report on the causes of autism by the end of September, telling Trump during an August cabinet meeting that his team remained on schedule.
