Autism advocacy groups have slammed the conspiracy theory pusher-turned-health secretary after he claimed that the disorder is “preventable” and an “epidemic” on Wednesday. “These are kids who will never pay taxes,” Kennedy declared in his first presser as the top U.S. health official.

Kennedy has a history of falsely linking vaccines to autism. The Washington Post in January uncovered at least 36 instances of him making such claims. President Donald Trump has appeared to endorse his rhetoric, suggesting at a Cabinet meeting last week, “Maybe it’s a shot.”