Podcast Summary

Podcast: Bulwark Takes
Episode: RFK’s Deep Thoughts on...Circumcision?
Date: October 10, 2025
Hosts: Sam Stein (Bulwark Managing Editor), Will Sommer (Author of False Flag)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into RFK Jr.’s surprising claims during a recent Trump Cabinet meeting, where he suggested a correlation between early childhood circumcision, Tylenol use, and autism. Hosts Sam Stein and Will Sommer analyze RFK Jr.'s statements, discuss the dubious science behind these claims, and reflect on the consequences of airing such speculation from positions of authority.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Cabinet Meeting Bombshell

• [01:00] Sam Stein sets the stage, noting that most Bulwark staffers steered clear of this topic due to discomfort.

• [01:58] A clip plays where RFK Jr. claims:

  "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."
  — RFK Jr. at the Cabinet meeting

• Cabinet members’ reactions:

  "Oh, my God. Half of the cabinet members aren't looking at him. They're just like, stare straight ahead."
  — Sam Stein [02:41]

• Commentary on the novelty and awkwardness of discussing circumcision in such a setting.

  "I’m gonna go on a limb and say that’s the first time circumcision has been brought up in a Cabinet meeting."
  — Sam Stein [02:41]

2. The Ethics of Health Policy Rhetoric

• Stein and Sommer emphasize the dangers of senior officials riffing about unverified medical theories:

  "If it's not dispositive, then don't say it... people are going to look to you as a person of authority and... take your lead."
  — Sam Stein [03:27]

• Comments about RFK Jr. and Trump’s style in discussing public health:

  "These guys seem to sort of just shoot off whatever they want, and they're just like, I could be wrong though. Who cares?"
  — Will Sommer [04:21]

  "Don't snip your kid's dick and give them Tylenol... as opposed to, you know, wear a cloth mask."
  — Sam Stein [04:49]

3. The Actual Science

• [05:02] Stein summarizes the Danish study RFK Jr. cites:
  • Methodology was disputed; unclear if circumcision or general pain were causal.
  • Possible Tylenol link not determinative.
  • Later studies further undermined the initial findings.

  "...that’s what we’re going on. It's like two random studies that are not dispositive, and RFK Jr just jumps in and says, yeah, this could be it."
  — Sam Stein [05:56]

4. Context of Medical Claims in Politics

• Drawing contrasts with pandemic-era messaging and the troubling tendency for speculation at high levels.

  "If RFK thinks it's real, let's do a press conference, let's issue some white papers or what have you, rather than, oh, you didn't hear about the circumcision thing? Maybe you should have been watching the Trump Cabinet meeting."
  — Will Sommer [06:42]

5. The Cuba-Autism Claims

• [06:59] Stein recounts RFK Jr.’s assertion that low Tylenol use in Cuba leads to lower autism rates, and Trump’s claim that "there was no autism at all in Cuba."
  • Cuban doctors and others have refuted these simplistic assertions:

  "...Cuban doctors have come forward since then to refute the idea that there is no autism on the island. So there is autism on the island. Yeah. It's just the world we live in."
  — Sam Stein [10:03]

6. The Pregnant Women & Tylenol TikTok Stunt

• [07:50] Discussion around viral videos of pregnant women “defiantly” taking Tylenol, possibly as a protest or meme — likened to the Tide Pod challenge.

  "I don't think people were really eating all of these Tylenols. But then Republicans acted like it was totally real... liberals are truly..."
  — Will Sommer [08:00]

7. Broader Commentary on Bad Science and Anecdotal Policymaking

• Critique of using anecdotal sources instead of empirical data, referencing the Cuba and Amish autism claims.

  "We're seeing a lot of sort of an abandonment of what we might call empirical evidence in favor of, like, I heard it from someone..."
  — Will Sommer [09:09]

  "...in Cuba... I think it's fair to say they probably don't have the most rigorous testing. And also... there's an incentive... to not be maybe mass identifying everyone with autism, because that would mean more money has to be spent."
  — Will Sommer [09:24]

8. Notable Bonus: The Andrew Yang Flashback

• [10:44] Sommer recalls when Andrew Yang made waves by discussing his personal experience and political opinions on circumcision:

  "...when we worked together... Andrew Yang came out against circumcision. My first kid was circumcised, second kid wasn't and it was like, whoa, okay."
  — Will Sommer [10:44]

• Stein:

  "Please do not take your circumcision advice from us or from RFK jr. Talk to your doctors..."
  — Sam Stein [11:12]

Memorable Quotes

• "I would. I'm gonna go on a limb and say that's the first time circumcision has been brought up in a Cabinet meeting." — Sam Stein [02:41]
• "If it’s not dispositive, then don’t say it." — Sam Stein [03:27]
• "Don’t snip your kid's dick and give them Tylenol." — Sam Stein [04:49]
• "Maybe you should have been watching the Trump Cabinet meeting." — Will Sommer [06:42]
• "It reminds me of when... Andrew Yang came out against circumcision. My first kid was circumcised, second kid wasn't and it was like, whoa, okay." — Will Sommer [10:44]
• "Please do not take your circumcision advice from us or from RFK jr. Talk to your doctors..." — Sam Stein [11:12]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:00] — Intro to RFK Jr.'s Cabinet comments
• [01:58], [02:27] — RFK Jr. Cabinet clip(s) replayed
• [03:27] — Critique of RFK's approach as top health official
• [05:02] — The science and the Danish study explained
• [06:06] — Reflections on medical policy in the Trump era
• [06:59] — The Cuba-autism connection claim
• [07:50] — Pregnant women & Tylenol TikTok narrative
• [09:09] — Critique of anecdotal science in public policy
• [10:44] — Andrew Yang circumcision anecdote

Tone & Takeaways

The hosts mix serious concern with sardonic humor as they highlight the hazards of political leaders making off-the-cuff medical pronouncements. The episode is brisk, irreverent, yet thoughtful, urging listeners to rely on medical professionals and empirical evidence—not Cabinet room riffs or viral stunts—for health decisions.