Brittany Cartwright Responds to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Autism Comments After Revealing Son's Diagnosis (2025)

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Survivor's Eva Erickson Claps Back at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Claims About Autism

After sharing her son's autism diagnosis, Brittany Cartwright is speaking out against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial claims about the disorder.

The Valley star, who shares 4-year-old Cruz with ex Jax Taylor, said that while she was "so grateful that a light is being shined on" the topic in general, she was upset by some of what of what President Donald Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary had said about the developmental condition at an April 16 press conference.

"He said that autism destroys families," Brittany said on the April 18 episode of her podcast When Reality Hits. "He listed a bunch of things that kids with autism or people on the spectrum in general do not do. And that really upset me because the autism spectrum is so broad."

In his speech, made in response to a newly published Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that found that autism rates in U.S. kids has risen, RFK Jr. noted that there are autistic children who will "never hold a job, they'll never play baseball, they'll never write a poem, they'll never go out on a date" and "will never use a toilet unassisted."

On her podcast, Brittany noted, "But that is not everybody."

She added, "That just kind of like rubbed me the wrong way a little bit. It kind of made me sad because it's just such a public platform andmisinformation is a big deal."

Following an online backlash, Kennedy clarified some of the remarks made in his speech, saying on Hannity April 17 that he was referring to the "more than 25 percent of people who have severe autism."

Brittany—who revealed Cruz's diagnosis in a People interview April 9, adding that he is mostly non-verbal and undergoes speech and occupational therapy—follows in the footsteps of several other celebs who have spoken out against RFK Jr.'s comments, such as Eva Erickson, Survivor's first autistic contestant, and Holly Robinson Peete, whose son RJ, 27, has autism.

The Vanderpump Rules alum recently reshared the latter's April 16 Instagram post responding to the politician's speech and said on her podcast she has been communicating with the actress, who on April 18 posted a throwback video of her son—who was diagnosed with autism at age 3—reading aloud an original poem.

"I really think I can learn a lot from her," the 36-year-old said. "She's been going through this for like, 25 years, and she's been an amazing positive advocate for autism."

Brittany also explained why she decided to speak out about her son's diagnosis in the first place.

"I just felt like it was time to talk about Cruz because with the show coming out and everything, I knew people would see notice that he was still non-verbal and everything," she said about The Valley season two, which premiered April 15. "I felt like it was up to me to address it."

Britany added, "I really wanna be a positive advocate for other families and other people that are going through something like that, because he's the most beautiful thing in the world."

After Brittany shared Cruz' diagnosis, Jax reflected on their family's journey.

"My precious beautiful boy," he wrote on Instagram April 9, alongside photos with his and Brittany's son. "I'm so proud to be your father and even though we may face challenges along the way I'll always be your biggest supporter and cheerleader."

Read on to revisit Brittany and Jax's relationship...