Rosie O’Donnell, a longtime critic of President Trump, sharply criticized Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “dehumanizing” remarks about autistic people.
O’Donnell joined CNN on Tuesday to share about more about her and her nonbinary child’s move to Ireland after the election and a new documentary about therapy dogs to help with autism.
“I think it’s very disrespectful. I think it’s disgraceful and I think he is wholly unqualified to be the head of Health and Human Services,” O’Donnell said.
Her remarks were in reference to a recent speech Kennedy made, where he announced HHS would be implementing a “massive testing and research effort” to find the cause of autism spectrum disorder.
Kennedy falsely claimed that most autism cases are severe and said there are kids who will “never pay taxes,” “never hold a job,” or play baseball and write a poem. They will “never go on a date” or “use a toilet unassisted,” Kennedy said. His remarks have come under sharp scrutiny from activists who note many people diagnosed with autism can live normal lives.
O’Donnell, who has an autistic child, recently moved out of the U.S. after President Trump was reelected. She slammed Trump’s Cabinet picks as being part of a “reality show government,” and said Kennedy was not one of the most qualified people to lead the department.
“To think that this family is the one that created the Special Olympics and he would go on with such disrespect, dehumanizing remarks, is absolutely deplorable,” O’Donnell said of Kennedy and his family.
The Special Olympics were founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of former President John F. Kennedy, who is Kennedy’s uncle.
“I feel he should resign or be released from his position,” O’Donnell said of Kennedy.
His remarks sparked backlash among autistic individuals and their families after he noted in his remarks that autism “destroys families” and destroys the country’s “greatest resource,” which he said is children.
The Hill has reached out to HHS for comment.