Michelle Obama pushed a theory suggesting a correlation between older sperm and autism diagnoses, before immediately backpedaling on the remark.
The former first lady made the shocking remark on Wednesday’s episode of her podcast IMO, which she co-hosts with her older brother Craig Robinson.
The duo were discussing women’s health issues with OBGYN Dr. Sharon Malone, when Obama seemingly took aim at Donald Trump and the vaccine skeptics in his cabinet.
Obama asked Malone if there was a ‘connection between aging sperm and birth defects’, before alleging that Republicans would ‘cut out research on that’.
Malone replied: ‘There is some anecdotal data that says older sperm.
‘So we should tell some people, maybe it’s the old sperm, maybe it’s not the vaccine that’s causing the autism, you know? Why don’t you look at that?’
Obama joined in, joking that ‘they’ll never let that secret out’.
‘That may be the key behind all the defunding everything. Then old men can keep marrying 20-year-olds,’ she said, adding: ‘It’s like, “I’ll give you the baby you want”.’
But she appeared to immediately regret the remark and turned to her production crew to say, ‘We don’t have to keep that in.’
Michelle Obama, in the latest episode of her IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson podcast, pushed a theory suggesting a correlation between older sperm and autism diagnoses and then immediately backpaddled on the remark
Obama’s remark seemingly took aim at President Donald Trump and the vaccine skeptics in his cabinet. Pictured: Melania, Barron and Donald Trump on election night
Trump’s HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been known to peddle many conspiracy theories, including that chemicals in water are making children question their gender identity and that vaccines cause autism.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, states that ‘studies have shown that there is no link between receiving vaccines and developing autism spectrum disorder’.
Obama’s commentary appeared to take direct aim at RFK’s vaccine beliefs, as well as his age.
Kennedy, 71, is married to actress Cheryl Hines, who is 12 years his junior.
Although the pair do not share any children together, RFK fathered six children with his two ex-wives. His eldest is 40 and his youngest 23.
The remark may have also been aimed at Trump, who became the oldest person to be elected president following his 2024 election victory.
Trump, 78, has five children of his own, including 19-year-old Barron Trump, whom he shares with First Lady Melania Trump.
Liberal trolls have suggested that Barron, whose father was 60 when he was born, may have autism – a rumor that the first lady quashed in her memoir last year.
‘There is nothing shameful about autism…but Barron is not autistic,’ she wrote.
Michelle Obama (left) and her brother Craig Robinson (center) were discussing women’s health issues with OBGYN Dr. Sharon Malone (right) when the former first lady questioned if there is a ‘connection between aging sperm and birth defects’, and alleged that Republicans would ‘cut out research on that’
Obama’s podcast episode was released just one day after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s bombshell announcement (pictured) that Covid-19 vaccines would no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women
Obama’s podcast episode was released just one day after RFK’s bombshell announcement that Covid-19 vaccines would no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women.
The move reverses previous guidance which recommended the Covid vaccine to everyone aged six months old and over.
In a video on X revealing the announcement, RFK Jr said: ‘Last year, the Biden administration urged healthy children to get another Covid shot despite the lack of any clinical data to support the repeat booster strategy in children.’
RFK Jr said he ‘couldn’t be more pleased’ to make the announcement, adding that it was ‘common sense’ and ‘good science’.
The recommendation for the Covid vaccine for young and healthy individuals has long been criticized, given that the groups face a low risk of hospitalization and death from the virus.
There are also concerns over side effects linked to the shots, including myocarditis -or heart inflammation – which is rare but more common among young adults.
The FDA is also reportedly re-analyzing whether the evidence supports boosting healthy people under 65 against Covid.
