Trump Admin Ties Autism to Tylenol, Medical Experts Push Back/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump is set to suggest a connection between autism and Tylenol use during pregnancy at a White House event. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other officials will present conclusions from a government autism report. Medical groups and Tylenol’s manufacturer strongly dispute any link, citing extensive research showing no proven connection.
Autism-Tylenol Debate + Quick Look
- Trump to appear with RFK Jr. and Mehmet Oz at White House event.
- Announcement expected to tie autism to prenatal Tylenol use.
- Government report conclusions on autism to be released this month.
- Officials may also cite folate deficiency and leucovorin therapy.
- Some studies suggested possible prenatal acetaminophen risks, others found none.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says no proven link.
- Kenvue, Tylenol’s maker, rejects claims and warns mothers of health risks.
- Announcement reignites longstanding medical controversy over autism causes.
- Critics warn of confusion, fear, and misinformation for expecting mothers.
- Autism advocacy groups call for reliance on peer-reviewed science.
Deep Look: Trump Revives Autism-Tylenol Debate at White House Event
President Donald Trump is preparing to spotlight a controversial claim about autism’s origins, linking the disorder to the use of Tylenol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy. The announcement is scheduled for Monday afternoon at the White House, where Trump will appear alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz, and other senior officials.
The move is expected to reignite a long-running and unsettled medical debate over whether prenatal acetaminophen use contributes to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Trump’s Pledge and Political Context
Trump has pledged repeatedly to address what he calls “America’s rising rate of autism.” His alignment with Kennedy, who has previously promoted widely criticized and debunked theories about autism and vaccines, underscores the administration’s willingness to revisit controversial medical claims in search of alternative explanations.
Over the weekend, Trump teased the event, describing it as a “historic announcement” that would show his administration is using “Gold Standard science.”
What the Administration Plans to Say
According to officials familiar with the rollout, Trump and Kennedy will:
- Present conclusions from a government autism causation report expected this month.
- Suggest that prenatal Tylenol use may be a risk factor for autism.
- Highlight research connecting low folate levels during pregnancy with autism.
- Identify leucovorin, a type of folate, as a possible therapy to reduce autism symptoms.
A Wall Street Journal report earlier this month foreshadowed the announcement, citing administration sources who said the findings would connect acetaminophen use and autism.
Scientific Evidence: Mixed and Inconclusive
The link between acetaminophen and autism has been studied for years, with conflicting results.
- Some observational studies suggest that prenatal exposure may increase the risk of autism and ADHD.
- However, a large Swedish study analyzing data from over 2 million children concluded last year there was no connection.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists maintains there is no clear evidence linking prudent use of acetaminophen to developmental issues.
Experts caution that observational studies often struggle to control for other health and lifestyle factors, and that causation has not been proven.
Tylenol Maker Pushes Back
Kenvue, the Johnson & Johnson spinoff that makes Tylenol, issued a sharp rebuttal.
“We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism,” the company said. “We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers.”
The company warned that discouraging pregnant women from using acetaminophen could put them at risk, since the drug is one of the few pain relief and fever management options considered safe during pregnancy.
Medical Community Raises Concerns
Medical groups worry that linking Tylenol to autism could fuel misinformation and confuse pregnant women.
Dr. Alison Geller, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist not involved in the government report, said: “The danger is that women will avoid safe treatments for fever or pain during pregnancy, which can themselves cause serious complications.”
Autism advocacy groups also expressed concern that the administration’s framing could shift public attention away from more urgent needs such as early diagnosis, access to therapy, and family support services.
Political and Cultural Undercurrents
The event also highlights Trump’s alliance with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a history of promoting controversial claims about public health. Kennedy’s involvement, coupled with Trump’s political style of defying scientific consensus, ensures the announcement will attract both intense support and sharp criticism.
By pairing autism discussions with celebrity health figures like Mehmet Oz, the administration also appears to be framing the issue as both scientific and populist, aiming to resonate with families searching for answers.
What Comes Next
The government’s autism causation report is expected to be released by the end of the month, which may provide more detail on the evidence used to support the administration’s claims. Until then, the scientific community remains skeptical.
As the debate unfolds, pregnant women and families affected by autism face a difficult landscape: a White House amplifying contested claims, a medical establishment urging caution, and a pharmaceutical industry defending its products.
Whether the announcement will mark a turning point in autism research policy or simply intensify the clash between politics and science remains to be seen.
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