On Sept. 22nd during a press conference, Donald J Trump announced a link between Tylenol and autism. He claims pregnant women should avoid taking Tylenol, because it could cause Autism in their baby.
Trump first announced this breakthrough on Sept 21st during Charlie Kirk’s memorial. He claimed he would expand on it the next day. On Sept 22nd at a press conference CNN quotes him saying “They strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy,” (Christensen, Sept 23, 2025). ABC reports Trump also addressed pregnant women directly, urging them to avoid Tylenol; “Don’t take Tylenol, there’s no downside. Don’t take it,” Trump continues urging them, ABC quotes him saying “You’ll be uncomfortable. It won’t be as easy, maybe. But don’t take it if you’re pregnant. Don’t take Tylenol, and don’t give it to the baby after the baby is born,” (Kekatos, Sept 22, 2025).
However many question the credibility of his statements. Tylenol has been proven to be safe multiple times. Additionally, without treatment certain pregnancy symptoms can be deadly both for the fetus and mother. Gillispie-Bell a board-certified doctor, had told CNN “Our professional societies and the science tells us that Tylenol is safe, but when you have the FDA saying something different, it puts us in a very, very difficult position,” (Christensen, Sept 23, 2025).
To add onto this Trump’s exact words have made many question how trustworthy his statements are. According to ABC Trump claims this breakthrough is simply “common sense.” He also admits that no doctors have been involved in his conclusion (Kekatos, Sept 22, 2025).
The rate of autism has greatly increased from 2015 to 2020, however the cause remains unclear. Trump has claimed autism is a horrible crisis and referred to the increase as “the most alarming development in history,” From the beginning of his presidency he has always urged medical professionals to crack down on the cause of autism. However studies such as a 2024 Swedish Study proved there is no link between autism and Tylenol. (Christensen, Sept 23, 2025).
Medical experts have expressed concerns to ABC news saying “as the only approved medication for pain and fever reduction during pregnancy, acetaminophen remains an important tool for pregnant patients and their physicians,” (Kekatos, Sept 22, 2025). To add on to this the UK Health Secretary has said to CNN “I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this,” (Kent, Sept 24, 2025).
The maker of Tylenol, Kenvue, has responded to these claims. Kenvue is a spin- off of the company Johnson and Johnson, specializing in medicines. According to PBS news they claim Tylenol is completely safe to take and has no links to autism, (Chapman, Sept 23, 2025.).
Robert F Kennedy and Donald J Trump, are both determined to crack down on what they call the “Autism epidemic.” According to CNN the FDA will soon begin to change the safety labels on Tylenol and will begin to send letters to physicians.(Christensen, Sept 23, 2025). As of right now the choice of taking Tylenol is still up to the parents.
