Trump Sparks Controversy with Unproven Link Between Autism and Tylenol

Published: 23 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

In a move that has reignited debates around public health and medical misinformation, US President Donald Trump on Monday made a controversial claim linking the common pain reliever Tylenol, known globally as paracetamol, to autism in children when taken by pregnant women. Addressing reporters from the Oval Office, Trump warned that Tylenol was “no good” and urged expectant mothers to “fight like hell” against using it, except in cases of extreme fever. His remarks immediately drew criticism from medical experts, health officials, and autism advocacy groups, who accused the president of spreading unsubstantiated claims that could create unnecessary fear and confusion among pregnant women.

Trump’s statement comes at a time when autism diagnoses are steadily rising in the United States. Labeling it a “horrible crisis,” the president said he had “very strong feelings” about the issue and expressed his determination to uncover its root causes. He has made autism a recurring theme of his health agenda, and his latest claim about Tylenol reflects an effort to tie a complex medical condition to a widely used drug without clear scientific consensus.

Medical bodies, however, have dismissed the president’s assertions. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued a swift rebuttal, with its president, Dr. Steven Fleischman, emphasizing that Trump’s claim “is not backed by the full body of scientific evidence and dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children.” He noted that no reliable studies show a direct relationship between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism, stressing that prudent use of the drug remains safe.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also weighed in, adopting a more cautious but less alarmist tone. While acknowledging that some studies have suggested an association between acetaminophen exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders, the agency said there is no proof of a causal relationship. The FDA advised doctors to limit Tylenol prescriptions when possible but recognized that acetaminophen is still the safest available treatment for fever and pain in pregnant women—conditions that themselves can pose significant risks to both mother and child.

The controversy has not remained confined to the US. In the UK, health officials have stressed that paracetamol continues to be the most reliable painkiller for pregnant women. UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting remarked bluntly, “I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this.” Other governments around the world have also maintained similar positions, affirming the drug’s safety when used appropriately.

Tylenol’s manufacturer, Kenvue, responded with concern, reiterating that the science does not support any causal link between acetaminophen and autism. “We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers,” the company said in a statement to the BBC.

Adding to the controversy, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who appeared alongside Trump during the announcement, said the FDA would move toward adding a new safety label to Tylenol and launch a public health campaign about its use during pregnancy. Kennedy also revealed that the FDA plans to approve leucovorin, a decades-old cancer drug, for use in children with autism who have folate deficiencies, suggesting it could help improve communication skills. While this possibility has intrigued researchers, many scientists caution that the data remains in its infancy and far from conclusive.

The scientific debate on the subject is far from settled. A review led earlier this year by Harvard University’s School of Public Health looked at 46 studies, 27 of which suggested a link between prenatal Tylenol use and higher risks of autism or other developmental disorders. The researchers recommended caution in the drug’s use but emphasized its importance in treating maternal fever and pain. In contrast, a 2024 Swedish study examining over 2.4 million children found no evidence of such a connection, highlighting the divided nature of current research.

Experts stress that autism is a multifaceted condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. “There is no robust evidence or convincing studies to suggest there is any causal relationship,” said Monique Botha, a developmental psychology professor at Durham University in the UK. The National Autistic Society in Britain went further, calling Trump’s remarks “irresponsible” and warning that they risk undermining decades of research. “The incessant misinformation about autism from President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. risks devaluing autistic people and eroding trust in science,” the organization said.

Beyond the scientific community, Trump’s comments have also unsettled ordinary Americans. Haley Drenon, a 29-year-old pregnant woman from Texas, told the BBC that the announcement made her nervous. “I had to take Tylenol during my first trimester for headaches. This announcement, if made without the proper context, would worry a lot of other people as well. It seems unnecessary just because the headlines are clear that the data is not irrefutable.”

Autism diagnoses have risen significantly since 2000. By 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 2.77% of American 8-year-olds had been diagnosed with autism. Scientists say this increase is partly due to broader diagnostic criteria and greater public awareness, rather than a sudden surge in the actual prevalence of the condition. Nonetheless, environmental factors remain an active area of research, keeping the conversation alive about potential triggers.

This is not the first time Trump and Kennedy have attracted criticism for promoting controversial medical claims. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Trump repeatedly suggested unproven treatments, while Kennedy has long promoted debunked theories linking vaccines to autism despite overwhelming scientific evidence disproving such claims. Their latest remarks risk reawakening public distrust in established medical science at a moment when public health institutions are already under pressure.

As the debate unfolds, one point remains clear: the complexities of autism cannot be reduced to a single cause or blamed on a widely used medication without overwhelming scientific proof. For now, health authorities continue to recommend Tylenol as safe for pregnant women when used appropriately, even as more research is conducted. What remains uncertain is how Trump’s claims will influence public perception—and whether they will lead to changes in medical practice or policy in the long run.