Rosie O'Donnell Slams RFK Jr. After COVID And Autism Impact Comparison

Rosie O'Donnell is not Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s biggest fan right now.

The comedian is raining down heavily on the politician for his insensitive comments comparing the effects of autism and COVID-19 on the American population.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. famously dropped his presidential ambition last year to throw his weight behind Donald Trump's campaign and earn him the top seat in the Oval Office.

Donnell replied to Robert's comment via a post on her Instagram. The comedian shared a selfie with her 12-year-old autistic daughter, Clay, who wore a red sweater and a beanie to match.

She accompanied the picture with another slide, spreading more positive awareness about autism. The slide came with the words: "Autism, the one where being different is what makes you beautiful."

In the caption, Donnell gave RFK a piece of her mind, writing, "robert kennedy u should be ashamed of urself #autismawarenessmonth." The post has garnered over 17,000 likes and hundreds of comments supporting her stance on RFK's statement.

"He's a public health threat and should be fired!" wrote one commenter. Another user stressed that RFK and his peers are not "self-aware enough to feel anything but arrogance."

A third Instagram user noted, "He should focus his expertise on addiction since that is something he is familiar with.Clearly, he knows nothing about autism."

As noted by PEOPLE, Robert expressed in a recent interview on The Cats Roundtable radio show that the impact of autism on American lives surpasses that of COVID-19. 

He emphasized that while COVID primarily affected older populations, autism begins to impact children at a crucial stage in their development. The government official stressed that the ailment significantly affects their lives, families, and communities. 

The secretary highlighted the substantial economic burden of autism, predicting that it could cost the economy up to $1 trillion annually by 2035, although he did not provide sources for this claim.

His remarks followed a press conference held on April 16, where he expressed the view that autism "destroys families," suggesting that affected individuals would struggle to achieve typical life milestones.

His statements have drawn criticism from autism advocates, who argue that such rhetoric perpetuates damaging stereotypes and negative perceptions about individuals with autism and their potential contributions to society.

Alison Singer, president of the Autism Science Foundation also criticized remarks made by the secretary. According to her, Robert's comments suggested that individuals with autism lead worthless lives, a conclusion she termed that "couldn't be further from the truth."

A recent CDC study revealed that one in 31 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism by age eight, marking an increase over the past two decades. However, experts believe that this rise is not indicative of more children developing autism but rather reflects improved diagnostic capabilities. 

Dr. Alex Kolevzon, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Seaver Autism Center in New York City, reassured parents, stating that the situation does not signify an epidemic of autism.

As noted by The Blast, Robert's decision to align himself with Trump during his campaign was met with immediate disapproval from his family.

In a joint statement, his relatives, including Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Chris Kennedy, and Rory Kennedy, made it clear that his choice did not reflect their values.

They emphasized their support for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, advocating for an America rooted in hope, individual freedom, and national pride. They described Robert's endorsement of Trump as a betrayal of their family's principles, dubbing it a "sad ending to a sad story." 

Additionally, Jack Schlossberg, John F. Kennedy's grandson and Robert's cousin, criticized Robert's decision on social media, labeling him a sell-out.

Last August in Arizona, the politician announced that he would suspend his campaign. According to him, he no longer saw a "realistic path of electoral victory" due to relentless censorship and media control.

He expressed concern for his staff and volunteers, emphasizing that he could not justify the extended hours and financial demands on his donors without a clear chance of winning. 

Despite the suspension, he confirmed that his name would still appear on ballots in most states and revealed his intention to support Trump in the upcoming election.

This decision marked a significant shift in his political stance, as just three months prior, he had openly challenged Trump to a debate at the Libertarian National Convention. 

Trump's response was to label him a "Democrat Plant" and a "Radical Left Liberal" on his social media platform, Truth Social.

How will RFK Jr. respond to the clapbacks?