He’s not challenging the system—he’s spreading dangerous misinformation.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. built his brand on rebellion—questioning Big Pharma, challenging the CDC, and painting himself as a truth-teller in a world of lies. But beneath the populist persona is a trail of health claims that scientists and doctors say are not just wrong, but dangerously misleading. These aren’t harmless “what-ifs”—they’re statements that distort evidence, twist data, and in some cases, directly contradict decades of medical research.
RFK Jr. has become a hero in some circles for “asking questions,” but the problem isn’t curiosity—it’s misinformation dressed up as fact. His platform amplifies pseudoscience in ways that can lead people to distrust proven treatments, delay care, or fall for conspiracies with real-world consequences. Whether it’s vaccines, viruses, or chronic illness, these claims have been debunked again and again. Still, they keep spreading. Here are 10 health claims experts say RFK Jr. keeps getting dangerously wrong.
1. The vaccine-autism myth is still alive—thanks to RFK Jr.’s nonstop promotion.
This is the most infamous and widely debunked claim RFK Jr. continues to promote. Despite overwhelming scientific consensus that vaccines do not cause autism, he has spent years pushing this myth.
The original study that fueled the fear—published in 1998—was retracted and discredited, and the author lost his medical license. Yet the damage stuck, and RFK Jr. helped keep it alive. As confirmed by the CDC, major health organizations including the CDC, WHO, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have repeatedly found no link between vaccines and autism.
Major health organizations including the CDC, WHO, and American Academy of Pediatrics have confirmed again and again: there is no link between vaccines and autism. Multiple large-scale studies across different countries have reached the same conclusion.
2. COVID vaccines didn’t cause mass death—no matter what RFK Jr. says.
RFK Jr. has claimed that COVID-19 vaccines are responsible for thousands of deaths and are more dangerous than the virus itself. Experts across the board have said this is completely false. The data he points to is often from unverified sources like VAERS, which tracks self-reported incidents without confirming causation. According to JAMA Internal Medicine, the risk of serious side effects from the vaccine is incredibly rare, especially when compared to the hospitalization rates and death toll from the actual virus.
In reality, the risk of serious side effects from the vaccine is incredibly rare—especially compared to the death and hospitalization rates from the actual virus. The vaccines have been credited with saving millions of lives worldwide. By misrepresenting vaccine safety data, RFK Jr. undermines public health efforts and spreads fear during a time when accurate information is critical. This isn’t healthy skepticism—it’s misinformation that puts people at risk.
3. Mercury in kids’ vaccines? That ship sailed over 20 years ago.
RFK Jr. has repeatedly claimed that vaccines are loaded with toxic mercury that causes neurological damage in children. He specifically points to a preservative called thimerosal, which contains ethylmercury. But here’s the part he leaves out: thimerosal has been removed or reduced to trace amounts in all routine childhood vaccines in the U.S. since 2001. Per the CDC, thimerosal has been phased out of most childhood vaccines and is no longer a concern for mercury exposure.
Extensive research has shown that ethylmercury is processed differently than the dangerous methylmercury found in contaminated fish or industrial waste. It doesn’t accumulate in the body and is cleared quickly. Major health organizations have found no credible evidence linking thimerosal to any health issues in children. But RFK Jr. continues to use outdated or distorted data to stoke fear.
4. Claiming 5G causes cancer is a leap with zero solid science.
RFK Jr. has promoted the theory that 5G wireless technology poses a major public health threat, including an increased risk of cancer. While it’s true that radiation exposure in high doses can be harmful, 5G uses non-ionizing radiation—meaning it doesn’t have enough energy to damage DNA or cells.
The overwhelming scientific consensus is that there’s no credible evidence linking 5G to cancer or any serious illness. RFK Jr. has leaned into public fear around “radiation” without explaining the crucial difference between ionizing and non-ionizing types. Spreading this kind of misinformation may not seem as dangerous as vaccine denial—but it fuels paranoia, distracts from real health threats, and encourages fear-based thinking that thrives on conspiracies instead of facts.
5. There’s no proof that antidepressants cause school shootings.
One of RFK Jr.’s most inflammatory claims is that mass shootings are tied to the use of antidepressants—especially SSRIs. It’s a narrative that blames medication rather than addressing complex issues like gun access, mental health systems, and social factors. Mental health experts say this claim is not only false, but harmful.
While some medications list rare side effects like mood swings or agitation, there’s no credible link between antidepressant use and violent behavior on a societal scale. Millions of people safely use these medications to manage depression and anxiety.
RFK Jr.’s messaging risks shaming those who seek help and further stigmatizes mental health treatment. Experts warn that spreading this myth could stop people from getting the support they need—and that kind of fear has real consequences.
6. RFK Jr. blames chemicals in the water for making kids sick—with no real evidence.
From ADHD to allergies, RFK Jr. has suggested that rising rates of childhood illness are caused by chemical exposure—especially pesticides and water contaminants. While environmental toxins can absolutely be harmful, his claims often stretch far beyond the current scientific evidence.
The problem isn’t the concern—it’s the leap. He links everything from vaccines to glyphosate to childhood disease without offering strong, peer-reviewed data to support those connections. These oversimplified explanations can mislead parents, feed distrust in public health, and distract from more nuanced factors like genetics, access to care, or lifestyle shifts. Environmental health is a real issue, but turning it into a catch-all explanation without proof only clouds the conversation and causes unnecessary panic.
7. HIV denialism is one of his most dangerous legacies.
RFK Jr. has publicly supported figures who claim that HIV doesn’t cause AIDS—a position long discredited by the global scientific and medical community. This type of denialism isn’t just wrong; it’s deadly. It has already contributed to delayed treatment, unnecessary suffering, and countless preventable deaths.
For decades, research has clearly shown that HIV is the virus responsible for AIDS, and antiretroviral therapy saves lives. By casting doubt on this, RFK Jr. spreads a message that undermines public health efforts and risks leading vulnerable individuals away from life-saving treatment. It’s not just a fringe idea—it’s a reckless rejection of decades of hard-won progress.
8. Calling vaccine mandates “Nazi science” is not just offensive—it’s harmful.
RFK Jr. has compared vaccine mandates to the horrors of Nazi Germany, even invoking Anne Frank in speeches. Holocaust scholars, public health experts, and Jewish organizations have widely condemned this comparison as not only offensive but wildly inaccurate.
Equating modern public health efforts to genocide distorts history and inflames mistrust in institutions. It doesn’t just minimize real atrocities—it also reframes safety measures as oppression, making meaningful dialogue nearly impossible.
Experts warn that this kind of language polarizes communities, incites fear, and undermines efforts to protect vulnerable populations. It’s not activism—it’s dangerous rhetoric wrapped in false equivalence.
9. Natural immunity isn’t a replacement for vaccines.
RFK Jr. has repeatedly argued that natural immunity—getting infected and recovering—is a better defense than vaccination. But public health experts strongly disagree. While natural infection can offer some protection, it also comes with serious risks, including hospitalization, long-term illness, and death.
Vaccines train the immune system without putting the body through the full force of the disease. They’re safer, more consistent, and far less likely to result in complications. Encouraging people to “just catch the virus” ignores how unpredictable infections can be. It’s not just about individual risk—it’s about protecting entire communities. Experts say pushing natural immunity over vaccination is like telling people to crash their car to learn how the airbags work.
10. Detox culture isn’t science—it’s pseudoscience with a shiny label.
RFK Jr. has endorsed various “detox” ideas, including the claim that people need to rid their bodies of vaccine ingredients or environmental toxins using special supplements or protocols. These claims often sound scientific—but they rarely hold up to real evidence.
The human body already has built-in detox systems: the liver, kidneys, and immune system. Most detox products have no proven benefit and can even be harmful. Worse, this kind of thinking encourages people to view safe medical interventions as toxic—and fake cures as the answer.
Experts warn that detox culture plays into fear, selling control in a world full of uncertainty. But the truth is, no smoothie, sauna, or supplement can undo a vaccine or cleanse a conspiracy theory from your bloodstream.