Robert F Kennedy Jr faces backlash for racist comments about Arabs at Michigan event

Claims disputed by factcheckers

Kennedy stated that Arabs do not produce science or win major awards like the Nobel Prize. An Associated Press factcheck published on Tuesday showed that Arabs have won or been shortlisted for these prizes in recent years. Critics described his remarks as a textbook display of unvarnished racism and bigotry.

Political context of the speech

The comments occurred while Kennedy spoke at a Monday night event supporting Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers. Rogers is trailing his Democratic opponent Abdul El-Sayed, who is Muslim, in current polling data. A local Democratic congresswoman called the secretary's actions disgraceful and inappropriate for public service.

Organizations condemn the remarks

The Council on American-Islamic Relations labeled the speech as a display of Islamophobic bigotry. Protect Our Care also condemned the tirade made by the health secretary. Several groups argue that such claims demean entire communities and violate responsibilities to serve all Americans.