Still, for Trump, holding onto the debunked and dangerous claim appears to be a personal issue. Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is an ardent anti‑vaccine activist who has long promoted the false link while disparaging life‑saving immunizations. Even Kennedy has recently shifted from publicly discussing vaccines, given political peril.

Recent reporting shows the White House is pursuing a false connection between vaccines and autism directly from Trump, who wants to be remembered as the president who cured autism by scaling back vaccines, according to The Wall Street Journal. Trump has reportedly chastised Kennedy on multiple occasions for not doing more on the issue. Kennedy confirmed the report in a combative August 2023 CNN interview, during which he made a barrage of false claims; a comprehensive fact check is available. White House spokesman Kush Desai stated the administration would use “gold standard science” to ensure the US has the “best childhood vaccine schedule in the world.” In a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump asked Kennedy about autism research progress, and Kennedy replied, “We will have an answer for you.” The ongoing effort reflects broader attempts to influence public perception despite scientific consensus and policy overall now still.