Overview

• Kennedy made the comments Wednesday at the Texas Capitol as Gov. Greg Abbott signed state health legislation aligned with the 'Make America Healthy Again' platform.
• He said he can recognize children 'overburdened with mitochondrial challenges' and inflammation by their faces, body movements, and lack of social connection.
• He recounted growing up with 11 siblings and about 70 cousins and said he never encountered diabetes, food allergies, or autism in his youth.
• Kennedy told reporters this month that President Donald Trump calls him three or four times a week pressing for progress on national health.
• Academics and journalists on social platforms criticized and mocked the claim, questioning his references to 'mitochondrial challenges.'