RFK Jr faces criticism for remarks on Arab scientific achievements in Michigan

Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary, encountered significant backlash on Wednesday for remarks made at a campaign event in Michigan. During a speech in support of a Republican Senate candidate, Kennedy asserted that Arabs have not produced major works in science or literature. Critics described the comments as a widely racist tirade, noting that the claims were factually incorrect according to recent verifications.

The incident occurred during a Monday night rally in Grand Rapids. Kennedy was there to support Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee for the US Senate seat. Rogers is currently trailing his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, in the polls. El-Sayed is a Muslim, and the race has become a focal point for debates regarding religious identity in American politics.

In his address, Kennedy stated that despite there being 500 million Arabs in the world, the demographic does not produce science or win prestigious awards. He specifically listed the Nobel prize, the Fields prize, and the Wolf prize as examples of accolades he said Arabs do not receive. He also claimed that the group does not produce literature. These statements were quickly analyzed by media outlets and advocacy groups.

An Associated Press factcheck published on Tuesday contradicted Kennedy’s claims. The report showed that Arabs have won or been shortlisted for all the awards mentioned in recent years. This finding highlighted the discrepancy between the secretary’s public statements and the documented history of scientific and literary achievement.

Reactions from political and advocacy circles were swift and critical. The Council on American-Islamic Relations labeled the remarks a textbook display of unvarnished racism and bigotry. Protect Our Care, a US healthcare advocacy organization, also condemned what it called a wildly racist tirade. These groups emphasized the impact of such language on public perception of specific communities.

Hillary Scholten, a Democratic congresswoman representing west Michigan, voiced her disapproval in a statement posted to her Facebook page late Tuesday. She described the comments as disgraceful and inappropriate for someone in public service. Scholten noted that although she did not endorse El-Sayed in the summer, Kennedy’s rhetoric failed to meet the standards expected of the secretary of health and human services.

In her statement, Scholten argued that Kennedy has a responsibility to serve all Americans rather than use his position to demean communities with false claims. She highlighted the contributions of Arab Americans in fields such as science, medicine, and education. She also remarked that Kennedy lacks a medical degree or a Nobel peace prize, suggesting his rhetoric had undermined public confidence in health science.

Kennedy’s comments were framed within a broader attack on the Muslim Brotherhood, a global Islamic group with branches designated as terrorist organizations by the US government. Kennedy argued that the group’s rise had created stagnant societies. He suggested this ended a golden age where Islamic lands were centers for art, science, and engineering, characterized by tolerance and pluralism.

Other officials in the Trump administration have also targeted El-Sayed. President Trump referred to the Democrat as a jihadist at a rally in Port Huron on Sunday. Vice President JD Vance intensified the attacks at an event in Howell on Tuesday. Vance attempted to link El-Sayed’s politics to violent protests in Paris, suggesting that figures like El-Sayed would lead similar unrest in American cities.

El-Sayed has consistently denied any ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. He disavowed the group during a viral town hall event last week, where he confronted a heckler who was later identified as a former aide to Senator Josh Hawley. Senator Chris Murphy, who was canvassing in Michigan, also criticized the coordinated effort to delegitimize Muslim Americans. He urged the public to pay attention to these attacks on their status as citizens and humans.