Will Autism Speaks Fire Donald Trump?

Will Autism Speaks "fire" billionaire fundraiser Donald Trump for telling the world he believes vaccinations may be at the heart of the autism? Trump's long running hit "The Apprentice" runs on NBC, and Bob Wright, founder of Autism Speaks is still with GE, which owns the network. Trump could be in trouble! Why? Allow me to explain.

The Donald made a startling pronouncement during a press stop for Autism Speaks at his Mar-A-Lago estate in Florida. One would call his words, "heresy" in some autism circles. He fingered vaccines and referenced the epidemic numbers of kids with autism. Looks like Donald Trump has been paying attention to the news.

The Sun Sentinel reported:

"In an interview, Donald Trump said he thinks the rising prevalence of autism is related to vaccinations of babies and toddlers, a topic that is hotly debated among parents and doctors.
One in 150 children is now diagnosed with autism, with the prevalence higher among boys.
"When I was growing up, autism wasn't really a factor," he said. "And now all of a sudden, it's an epidemic. Everybody has their theory, and my theory is the shots. They're getting these massive injections at one time. I think it's the vaccinations." (Here is the full Sun Sentinel Story.)

"Hotly debated?" Try nuclear. And Autism Speaks has run away from the vaccine/autism debate faster than that NASCAR dude they sponsor can race.

Someone (Pick me! Pick me!) had better show "The Donald" Bob and Suzanne Wright's letter in which they disassociated themselves from their daughter Katie for speaking out about her similar beliefs on autism and vaccinations. (Why look! It's right here!)

Better yet, let's allow The Great Gray Lady to tell The Donald about how the Wrights pitted daughter against dollars. (Hint, the dollars won.) This article from The New York Times described the Wright's treatment of Katie in order to assuage the hurt feelings of fund raisers, volunteers and researchers associated with Autism Speaks. Here's a bit of the article:

So, in early June, Bob and Suzanne Wright repudiated their daughter on the charity's Web site. "Katie Wright is not a spokesperson" for the organization, the Wrights said in a brusque statement. Her "personal views differ from ours." The Wrights also apologized to "valued volunteers" who had been disparaged. Told by friends how cold the rebuke sounded, Mrs. Wright belatedly added a line saying, "Katie is our daughter, and we love her very much."

Now that's cold, isn't it, Donald? The young woman whose child launched a multi-million dollar charity, the founders' own daughter, doesn't represent the ongoing mission of said charity. Makes you and Rosie look like a love fest.

Donald, when Bob and Suzanne Wright fib to you that they are looking at all potential causes of autism, let me tell you about the day back in 2006 when Suzanne Wright promised me in front of hundreds that Autism Speaks was going to study vaccines and autism. Don't be swayed, as I was when she says, "Autism knocked on the wrong door." In reality, it knocked on a bank vault door. (Got time? Pop some popcorn, grab the family and check out the video here.) I've filed her empty promise under "BFL" (big fat lie) and stored it next to my shattered dreams about weapons of mass destruction, compassionate Conservatives and Santa Claus.

How will tread marks look on your Armani suit? Please watch your back, Donald. You might find yourself locked out of Two Park Avenue, unless you own that building. Of course, your cash might insulate you from the drubbing Katie took, unless the Wright's are dining with Bill Gates tonight, in which case his cash, er, trumps your own.

If you do find yourself locked out, you're welcome to pop up to Connecticut to visit my family. You can even wave to Bob and Suzanne who live down Route 95 and waaay on the other side of the tracks from me. You see, we have three children with autism and measure our fortune not in dollars and donations but in dry undies and single word sentences.

Donald, I thank you for stating your opinion in your inimitable way. When your handsome son Baron says, "Hi, Daddy! The market is up today!" and points at the carousel you probably have in your backyard, think about those of us whose kids have never pointed or uttered so much as a word.

I don't want to cause trouble between you and the Wrights (insert eye roll here.) I simply want to get some answers and bona fide treatment research for my girls and the thousands of other kids who make up the epidemic that you have acknowledged. Or perhaps I should say, "Ivana get some answers?"

Kim Stagliano is Managing Editor of www.AgeofAutism.com. She's a writer, autism advocate and lives in Connecticut with her husband and their three girls, who have autism. You can read her blog here.

Comments

[autismsolutioncenter]

Kim,

Thank you for this story! FINALLY, someone is truly speaking on behalf of the millions of families who DON'T agree with Autism Speaks (AS) and are continuing to find the REAL answers beyond the money machine. THANK YOU DONALD TRUMP!

Now we just have to find a way to get someone like Donald Trump to back places like the Autism Solution Center, Inc., (www.autismsolutioncenter.org) who are truly working on behalf of these families, though with no money, since AS mopped up all the funds!

We need to get this center, somewhat of a NO COST St. Jude's for Autism Treatment and Research Facility, (though not related to St. Jude's in any way) opened in every state and eventually abroad. These children deserve the opportunity to have access to the desperately needed, early interventions that can provide them with an opportunity to become indistinguishable from their peers and contributors in our communities on all levels.

AUTISM IS TREATABLE. Anything less than providing these needed interventions that are working for these kids is unconscionable.

Sincerely,

Laura Corby, Founder/CEO
Autism Solution Center, Inc.
[e-mail]

[usna73]

You'll remember me Kim, so let me begin by reminding you that I have much respect for you.

Given Judith's alert remarks above, do you think it is possible that Mr. Trump may be doing some "speaking" for Autism "Speaks."

Perhaps Mr. Wright knows what is "right", but now uses this asymetric strategy to say what he cannot, until he unloads all his options and stock in GE.

The right wing attack machine of Big Pharma, with their think tanks and assorted shills, has used distorting tactics to demonize us for a long time.

I know a little something about the psychology of warfare. Gaining control of the mind of your enemy is a powerful tool of your arsenal. As is the element of surprise.

There isn't anything I wouldn't do at this point to gain justice on behalf of my mercury damaged son. Let's hope that the Wrights and the Trumps subscribe to the same theory.

[jlu626]

FYI, here"s a little bit more info regarding AS and their relationship with those who support the vaccine link:

Shelley Hendrix, founder of Unlocking Autism, and also a talented Huffington blogger, was recently hired by Autism Speaks as their Director of State Advocacy.

Jenny McCarthy spoke at the Autism Speaks Las Vegas walk just last month:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/walk_events/las_vegas_walk_2007.php

Here are some photos from the National Autism Conference presented by the National Autism Association just a couple of months ago. Katie Wright is pictured with her parents and leaders of the NAA, arm in arm.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/inthenews/atlanta_marcus_big_splash.php

Sally Bernard, one of the founders of Safe Minds, sits on the Board of Directors of Autism Speaks.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/board.php#bernard

Peace and love,

Judith

[studana51]

For once this blithering idiot (THE DON) is going out of his way to give us the truth. I though his autisim events were more self-serving crap. Turns out the guy has guts. I live across the lake from Mar_-A_-Lago..think I'll join..if I win the Florida Lottery. Maybe he and Rosie could bury the hatchet and throw a big bash at the club or throw a cruise for the kids that really need this truth and some help. Right on Donnie.

[libby5]

Ok, Kim, in the context of this article, help me out. I've got a gorgeous little boy, almost 6, who is autistic. When he was diagnosed, I researched the ingredients in his shots. Only one, a flu shot, had mercury. And my guy was showing signs of autism well before that shot, at birth actually. What other contributors could there be? Is it possible to open the door for those of us with autistic kids who probably didn't get it from thimerosal?

I love your blog and that HuffPo is willing to regularly look at autism. Over the last six days, I've cleaned up six #2 messes. Only your previous post about your daughters and their messes helps me see anything funny in the situation. I also realize that the Wrights are extremely powerful and that Katie is in pain. Autism hurts, over and over. And it sucks ever more when you overlay it with family drama.

Libby

[avicenna]

The vaccine-pharma-corp groups are amazingly powerful - and they have a wonderful way of blurring public opinion while ridiculing the overall risk-benefits of various vaccine regimines. As soon as a question is raised about a possible cause and effect of vaccines and a growing childhood disorder - you're slammed with the polio and small pox bat and made to hang your head in questioning the need to over vaccinate children against non-threatening/lethal diseases given that it may be contributing to the development of more virulent strains of pathogens and the rise of allergic and autoimmune disorders (such as asthma and the growing onslaught of good allergies - can't bring a peanut butter sandwich to daycare any longer). Autism has been linked with an altered immune response (especially in the gut) which could be linked to vaccination of susceptible children. Medical science cannot afford to be dictated by corporations - it needs to regulated by independent and academic body that doesn't feel threatened when such questions are legitimately raised.

[mfb]

hi Kim,
I've never been a great fan of the Donald, but if he's willing to speak his mind like this, well then I might just have to change my opinion of him. Autism Speaks could certainly use some blunt talk like this.

[kellygrrrl]

I thought the Autism Awareness folks backed away from the vaccine connection due to pressure from the pharmas and the govt (same thing, huh?)
The only way they can get any govt funding for research or any pharmas to research therapy drugs is to disassociate themselves from the whole Mercury-tainted vaccine thing.
Is that correct?

[RaisingAwareness]

Excellent articles about vaccines:

http://www.newstarget.com/022400.html

http://www.newstarget.com/vaccines.html

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

Bobby Kennedy Jr. has been saying this for months, if not years. He has done extensive research into the issue.

It trump can propel this into the national debate, that would be great.

[HRoger]

Holy Cow! Another well known celeb speaks out for what parents have been saying for the 10 years I've been in the autism advocacy arena! Glad The Donald didn't have to learn the hard way, he got educated in time! Kim, you know I love you man, this is another fabulous piece that hits the ball out of the park! I am so grateful for your ability to say so much, so quickly, so accurately and in such an entertaining way! Sorry you are in this with us but thank god you are on our side! For those readers who do not believe, I recommend you catch up on every vaccine now given to babies that you didn't get before, all at once, because it won't hurt you, right? Don't forget to get two flu shots and the Gardasil vaccine, whether you are female or male, then report back to the group in 3 months and tell us how you are doing.

[MargaretRomaoToigo]

I don't think they'll fire him, but I imagine that Autism Speaks' public relations department has already, very quietly and discreetly, asked Mr. Trump to chill out on repeating urban myths spread by anti-vaccination activists.

Regardless of how anyone in that organization may personally feel about the matter, the powers-that-be at Autism Speaks know that, if they wish to continue to be taken seriously, they must distance themselves from radical fringe groups, such as the anti-vaccination movement.

The truth of the matter is that vaccines do not cause autism. There is no controversy over vaccines and autism among legitimate scientists. A large body of research, including 12 studies on thimerosal, and 14 on the MMR, which never contained thimerosal, found no correlation between vaccines and autism.

[Spookcatcher]

I pray for you and your whole family and cannot imagine how much patience it takes for you to care for 3 children with Autism. Personnally, I am researching the other end of the human life and brain disorder in adults, "Alzheimer's", however I am finding evidence to dispute most of the losses are just age or even amyloidal plaque deposits. I am lead towards over toxic amounts of heavy metals and mercurial breeches into the brain. Some mental functionality appears it may even be caused (onset) by even just a single overtoxificating "event", or dosage. But you are good to warn the Donald, he needs to watch his back with MIC GE. They have been known to bring not only "good things" to light(?), but to death also...what's in your water?

[HeatherO]

Love the post. Kim you add more suspense and wit than the writers of Desperate Housewives. Who cares who died in the tornado, I want to hear about the "you know what" hitting the fan at AS. If you"ve followed Donald Trump"s public persona, you"d guess he"s not going to take it lying down. But more seriously, it shows people are worried. Successful, wealthy, outspoken people are worried about autism. They don"t want autism to take over the life of their child and the lives of their families. The media can have as many fluffy-happy-feel-good stories about how autism is a blessing and how autism is a gift and how autism is inspirational, but it doesn"t change the fact that autism is really, really hard, for the children and the families.

It also shows that people do not trust the "studies" from the CDC. Successful, wealthy outspoken people do not trust the "studies" from the CDC. It doesn"t take a rocket scientist (or even a PhD immunologist), to read the CDC"s "studies" on autism and vaccines to figure out something doesn"t add up. In fact, high school level math, chemistry and biology will do just fine.

As Abraham Lincoln said, "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." I think the population of "fools" gets smaller and smaller every day.

[MidwestDad]

Given Trump's ignorance of the science, I'd say he's one of Kim's biggest fans.