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RFK Jr.'s alleged autism registry, Trump 'assassination trading card' & AOC's brother

Plus: Breaking down claim that US has secret $150 trillion 'trust fund'

Author

Izz LaMagdeleine
April 24, 2025

THURSDAY EDITION

Snopes Debunker

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What to know about reports RFK Jr. is launching registry to track Americans with autism

On Tuesday, CBS News reported that the National Institutes of Health plans to launch a "disease registry" to track Americans with autism as part of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new effort to study the condition.

Kennedy has, in fact, described plans, in conjunction with NIH, to study "environmental factors" of autism. However, it was not possible as of this writing to independently verify CBS' report that these plans extend to an autism registry. CBS is considered a reputable news outlet — but NIH did not immediately respond to Snopes' inquiry asking for confirmation. Snopes reporter Grace Deng investigated.

A white man sitting down wearing a blue suit shows kids a trading card of himself holding his first up.

Trump really showed kids 'assassination trading card' at White House Easter event

The card showed a photograph of the president after he was shot in the ear during a July 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

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Support Snopes with our monthly membership

Snopes has been busy fact-checking political claims, including what to know about reports that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is launching a registry to track Americans with autism, which we featured above. We need your help to keep doing this work. By building our membership, we will be able to continue cutting straight to the facts on any subject our readers are interested in. We appreciate any support you can give.

A Latina is shown standing behind a microphone. The image is placed on a larger image showing two boats, one of which has many people sitting or standing on it. It is smaller than the other one.

Don't believe rumor AOC's brother was arrested, charged with trafficking fentanyl

The rumor originated with a website known for fake posts with satirical intent.

A white blonde woman sitting down speaks into a microphone.

Yes, Marjorie Taylor Greene posted 'Evil is being defeated by the hand of God' on morning Pope Francis died

Greene grew up Catholic but left the church when she had children, saying she couldn't trust leadership "to protect my children from pedophiles."

A Fox News chyron says "SENTENCED TO LIFE." Above, two white men are surrounded by law enforcement officials. A white person wearing a blue suit stands to the left side.

No, Mike and Tony Beets from 'Gold Rush' were not sentenced to life in prison

Multiple YouTube videos spread the rumor that the father-and-son reality stars "were sentenced to life imprisonment."

Staff Pick

An black outline of the United States in white is placed on a red backdrop. $100 bills are seen flowing out of it to the side.

Breaking down claim that US has secret $150T 'trust fund'

According to rumors, the enormous creatures have attacked multiple people in the last "few weeks."