What Did Trump Say About Autism? Tylenol Link Sparks Global Debate

President Donald Trump has claimed that using Tylenol during pregnancy can lead to autism. He made the statement on September 22, 2025, at the White House, alongside Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. The remarks sparked immediate global debate, with scientists stressing that no credible evidence supports this link.

The announcement has been criticized by leading doctors and health experts. They warned that such claims could cause confusion among expectant mothers. Tylenol, known in the UK as paracetamol, is widely considered safe during pregnancy when taken as directed.

Trump’s Statement on Autism and Tylenol

At the press conference, Trump called autism a “horrible crisis” and linked it directly to the painkiller Tylenol. He repeatedly warned pregnant women not to take the drug, saying, “Don’t take it. Don’t take it!” He also compared autism rates between the US and Cuba, suggesting lower autism rates in countries where Tylenol use is limited. However, official health data contradicts that claim.

Trump also referred to a “meteoric rise” in autism cases in the US. He dismissed the guidance of obstetricians and gynaecologists, calling it “establishment stuff.” According to Trump, many medical experts are “funded by different groups,” casting doubt on their independence.

RFK Jr’s Role and Vaccine Comments

Robert F Kennedy Jr, the health secretary, echoed the president’s skepticism of mainstream science. He announced that his department was investigating both Tylenol and vaccines as possible causes of autism. Kennedy criticized what he called “politicised science,” and said his office would pursue “evidence-based medicine.”

Kennedy also highlighted that many mothers of autistic children believe vaccines harmed their kids. This aligns with his long history of vaccine skepticism, although mainstream research has repeatedly disproved such claims.

Medical Community’s Response

Kenvue, the company that produces Tylenol, quickly rejected Trump’s claims. The company said acetaminophen is “the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women,” supported by more than a decade of global research. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) also reaffirmed its 2021 guidance, which states there is no clear evidence linking paracetamol to autism or other developmental issues.

Doctors warned that discouraging Tylenol use could lead women to riskier alternatives or leave conditions like fever untreated, potentially endangering both mother and child. Health experts also pointed to large-scale studies, including a Swedish study of 2.5 million women, which found no connection between paracetamol use and autism.

Leucovorin and New Policy Direction

Dr Mehmet Oz, now serving in the Trump administration, announced that leucovorin, a medication usually prescribed for chemotherapy side effects, will be made available on Medicaid to treat autism. Trump praised the move as part of an “aggressive” treatment campaign, saying he was unwilling to wait for more research results.

This policy direction has raised concerns among doctors, who argue that strong evidence is required before adopting such treatments. They stressed that autism is a complex condition and cannot be addressed by unproven medical shortcuts.

In summary, what Trump said about autism has placed him at the center of a new health controversy. While his administration pushes forward with untested ideas, the medical community continues to insist on evidence-based science. The debate shows no signs of ending soon.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What did Trump say about autism?

Trump linked autism to pregnant women using Tylenol, saying “don’t take it.” He also called autism a crisis in the US.

Q2: Did Trump mention vaccines in relation to autism?

Yes. Trump repeated concerns about vaccines, and RFK Jr said his department was investigating a possible link.

Q3: Is Tylenol safe during pregnancy?

Yes. Major health groups including ACOG and the NHS say paracetamol (Tylenol) is safe when used as directed.

Q4: What drug did Trump propose to treat autism?

Leucovorin, a folinic acid treatment, was announced as a new Medicaid option for autism by Dr Mehmet Oz.

Q5: How did experts respond to Trump’s autism claim?

Doctors and researchers strongly rejected the claim, saying decades of studies show no link between Tylenol and autism.

References

Reuters. (2025). Trump claims Tylenol linked to autism at White House briefing.

Associated Press. (2025). RFK Jr backs review of vaccine links to autism.

BBC News. (2025). Medical experts dismiss Trump’s Tylenol-autism claims.