Bulwark Takes — "RFK Jr. BLAMES Circumcision for Autism?!"

Date: October 10, 2025
Host: Sam Stein (Bulwark), guest Will Sommer (author of False Flag)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a controversial and bizarre statement made by RFK Jr. during a recent Cabinet meeting, where he suggested a link between early childhood circumcision and autism—possibly mediated by Tylenol use. Host Sam Stein and guest Will Sommer break down the science, discuss the dangers of such pronouncements from public figures, and spotlight the confusion and misinformation amplified in political and social media spheres.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. RFK Jr.’s Claim at the Cabinet Meeting

• Topic: RFK Jr. alleged that circumcision in early childhood is linked to higher autism rates, citing two studies.
• Claim Details: Suggested the real culprit might be post-circumcision Tylenol, emphasizing these claims aren’t definitive but warrant “paying attention to.”
• Cabinet Room Reaction: Members appeared uncomfortable or bewildered as RFK Jr. spoke.

RFK Jr. (clip): "There's two studies that show children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism. It's highly likely because they're given Tylenol. Oh, you know, none of this is positive, but all of it is stuff that we should be paying attention to." (01:58)

Notable Moment: The hosts replay the clip to note Cabinet members' reactions:

Sam Stein: "Half of the Cabinet members aren't looking at him. They're just like, stare straight ahead. Don't, don't look, don't look. I would…say that's the first time circumcision has been brought up in a Cabinet meeting." (02:41)

2. Reactions to the Announcement

• The hosts are simultaneously bemused and alarmed by the setting and seriousness ascribed to the claim.
• They question the prudence and accuracy of a top health official speculating dispassionately about such high-stakes topics in a public forum.

Will Sommer: "It's kind of, you know, it's the RFK war on Tylenol...The science on this is very mixed, and we can get into it, but he's just like, you know, there it is. It's the circumcisions. That's what's causing autism." (03:00)

Sam Stein: "If it's not dispositive, then don't say it...Chief medical officer...if you're not 100% sure...then you might as well just not say it, or at least let someone with more credibility say it." (03:27)

3. The Scientific Evidence (Or Lack Thereof)

• Host Discussion: They examine the alleged basis for the claim, referring to a Danish study with disputed methodology.
• Key Points:
  • The study was criticized for conflating circumcision with pain or other confounding factors, such as urinary tract infections.
  • Tylenol was suggested as a mediator, but no determinative or causal link has been established.
  • The two cited studies are regarded as “random,” “not dispositive,” and have been challenged by subsequent research.

Sam Stein: "There was a Danish study that appears to be what RFK is referencing...the methodology of that study was sharply disputed..." (05:02)

4. Broader Context: RFK, Trump, and Medical Populism

• The hosts compare RFK's ad hoc Cabinet statements to Trump's past announcements about Tylenol and autism.
• Mention that Trump once declared, without evidence, that there was “zero autism” in Cuba.
• They critique the tendency for politicians to bypass scientific rigor for attention-grabbing assertions—potentially causing real-world harm.

Will Sommer: "Now these guys seem to sort of just shoot off whatever they want, and they're just saying, I don't know, I could just be making. I could be wrong, though. You know, who cares?" (04:21)

Will Sommer: "If this circumcision thing is real, if RFK thinks it's real, let's do a press conference...rather than, oh, you didn't hear about the circumcision thing. Maybe you should have been watching the Trump Cabinet meeting." (06:06)

5. Viral Reactions and Misinformation

• Viral Response: After the earlier Tylenol press conference, viral videos surfaced of pregnant women ostentatiously taking Tylenol in defiance (or parody) of RFK/Trump’s pronouncements.
• Online Rumors: Stories, often dubious, circulated about women “guzzling” Tylenol to spite politicians, with some Republicans treating them as fact.
• Skepticism: Both hosts express disbelief at the logic of viral antagonism and the lack of empirical evidence in narratives about places like Cuba or Amish communities having no autism.

Will Sommer: "It was kind of like the Tide Pod challenge...And then Republicans acted like it was totally real...Wow, liberals are truly sick." (08:19)

6. The Cuba and Amish Examples

• The episode notes how both RFK Jr. and Trump cited outlier populations like Cubans and Amish as having uniquely low (or no) rates of autism.
• The hosts point out that detection and reporting of autism in these groups is likely inadequate, making such claims untrustworthy.

Will Sommer: "There's a lot of focus on societies where I think it's fair to say the detection may not be so good...there is an incentive to not be...mass identifying everyone with autism..." (09:09)

Sam Stein: "I will just note that Cuban doctors have come forward since then to refute the idea that there is no autism on the island." (10:03)

7. Medical Reality vs. Political Theater

• Most children are not given Tylenol post-circumcision, contradicting the cornerstone of RFK Jr.’s theory.
• Doctors have vocally disputed RFK’s characterization, but the hosts lament that such high-level “medical” discourse is now a reality in U.S. politics.

Sam Stein: "Kids aren't often given Tylenol post-circumcision. It's true that there's doctors in my feed. Being like, this just doesn't comport with reality, but this is our reality." (10:03)

8. Closing & Broader Cultural Footnotes

• Briefly reminisce about Andrew Yang’s anti-circumcision remarks during his presidential run.
• Final Advice: Do not take medical advice from politicians or podcasters—consult your healthcare provider.

Sam Stein: "Please do not take your circumcision advice from us or from RFK Jr. Talk to your doctors." (11:10)

Notable Quotes

• RFK Jr. (clip): "There's two studies that show children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism. It's highly likely because they're given Tylenol..." (01:58, repeated at 02:27)
• Sam Stein: "Half of the Cabinet members aren't looking at him. They're just like, stare straight ahead. Don't, don't look, don't look..." (02:41)
• Will Sommer: "Now these guys seem to sort of just shoot off whatever they want, and they're just saying, I don't know, I could just be making. I could be wrong, though. You know, who cares?" (04:21)
• Sam Stein: "If it's not dispositive, then don't say it..." (03:27)
• Will Sommer: "It was kind of like the Tide Pod challenge...And then Republicans acted like it was totally real..." (08:19)
• Sam Stein: "Kids aren't often given Tylenol post-circumcision. It's true that there's doctors in my feed. Being like, this just doesn't comport with reality, but this is our reality." (10:03)
• Sam Stein: "Please do not take your circumcision advice from us or from RFK Jr. Talk to your doctors." (11:10)

Timeline of Key Segments

• 01:58–02:41 — RFK Jr.’s Cabinet comments on circumcision, Tylenol, and autism; reactions in the room.
• 03:00–04:21 — Discussion on why such off-the-cuff pronouncements from officials are dangerous.
• 05:02–06:06 — Breakdown of the Danish study RFK referenced and the flaws in its methodology.
• 07:50–09:00 — Viral videos, urban legends about Tylenol, and online responses.
• 09:00–10:03 — Critique of using Cuba and Amish community stats as evidence; lack of empirical support.
• 10:03–11:10 — Doctors push back; reality check on Tylenol use post-circumcision; episode wrap-up.

Final Takeaway:
The episode is a sharp, humorous but serious dissection of RFK Jr.’s scientifically flimsy claims linking circumcision, Tylenol, and autism—and a warning against the dangers of politicized medical misinformation. The hosts urge listeners to trust medical professionals over political grandstanders.