President Trump's Acetaminophen-Autism Claim Contradicted by Studies, Administration Addresses Autism Prevalence
President Trump's false claim linking acetaminophen to autism is refuted by studies and health experts. His administration is also taking urgent action to address autism prevalence.

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Overview
- President Donald Trump falsely advised pregnant women to avoid acetaminophen, claiming a baseless link to autism, sparking controversy.
- Major health organizations, medical consensus, and recent studies consistently reject any reliable evidence linking prenatal acetaminophen use to autism.
- While a systematic review noted an association with neurodevelopmental disorders, it explicitly found no direct link between prenatal acetaminophen and autism.
- Doctors, Tylenol manufacturer Kenvue, and studies affirm acetaminophen remains a safe and important option for pregnant women seeking relief from fever and pain.
- Untreated fever during pregnancy poses significant risks, and President Trump's administration is taking urgent action to address the increasing prevalence of autism.
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Analysis
Left-leaning sources collectively frame the story as President Trump's reckless disregard for scientific consensus and public health, driven by personal fixations and a tendency towards misinformation. They portray his announcement as a disruptive, harmful, and politically motivated act that undermines scientific progress, confuses the public, and sets back decades of work in autism acceptance.
"The World Health Organization (WHO) has debunked United States President Donald Trump’s claim of a possible link between autism and the use of paracetamol during pregnancy."
"Trump repeated again and again and again his advice to pregnant women, falsely asserting that there was clear evidence that the over the counter drug led to autism, mostly based on one inconclusive Harvard study, going much further than the already-extreme Food and Drug Administration guidance on the matter."
"This political theatre highlights a longstanding and harmful problem: pregnant women, and their babies, are routinely let down by partial, poor-quality and missing medical evidence."
"There is so, so much damage being done by these halfwits looking for a headline rather than real answers."
"Trump's remarks—which immediately drew warnings and pushback from experts—contradicts leading medical advice that acetaminophen, when used properly, is safe during pregnancy."
"Oz isn’t the only Republican scrambling to walk back some of Trump’s dangerous claims."
"Trump's linking Tylenol use to autism was upsetting and frustrating for parents of children with autism."
"Doctors are worried that Trump’s claims will have adverse consequences."
"Trump’s comments will still have a wide impact, leading to more pain and misery for women in pregnancy, with potential health risks."
"The president’s enthusiasm prompted a scramble within HHS in the weeks ahead of Monday’s event, with officials debating what they could deliver and how significantly they would need to caveat conclusions."
"Trump’s words erased this progress."
"Trump’s claims, made on Monday, were some of the most astonishing of his presidency so far."
"The claim of Cuba’s autism rates were just one of many statements hawked by the Trump administration without new evidence."
"This lack of replicability really calls for caution in drawing casual conclusions about the role of acetaminophen in autism."
"Backlash has been swift and forceful as other parts of the world woke up to US President Donald Trump’s comments blaming – without solid evidence – acetaminophen and certain vaccines for autism in children."
"The White House announcement, touting a supposed link, contradicts years of medical research and was promoted by the vaccine-skeptic health secretary."
"Trump went beyond his own Food and Drug Administration’s more modest advice that doctors “should consider minimizing” the painkiller acetaminophen’s use in pregnancy — amid inconclusive evidence about whether too much could be linked to autism."
"But pregnant women are not a punchline."
"Global health agencies and regulators have dismissed unscientific advice from Donald Trump that made an unproven link between autism and the use of everyday painkillers and vaccines."
"Doctors and scientists say the claim is not backed by science."
"Trump and RFK Jr. have urged pregnant women to ditch the drug, despite Tylenol being the most commonly recommended pain reliever for pregnant women for decades."
"The incessant misinformation about autism from President Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr risks undermining decades of research by respected experts in the field."
"President Trump and federal health officials said this week that women should limit acetaminophen use during pregnancy because of a possible link to an increased risk of autism."
"Trump's comments about pregnant women and Tylenol have sparked controversy and concern among medical professionals and the public."
"Dozens of medical, research, and autism advocacy groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, decried the president’s announcement."
"The Trump administration announced highly contentious conclusions about the causes of autism on Monday, with a push for research purporting to find a possible “cure” for the condition."
"Trump claimed that acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol, was 'no good' and should only be used in pregnancy when there’s a high fever."
"Medical experts slammed Donald Trump’s advice for pregnant women to “fight like hell” to avoid taking a common painkiller because his administration claims using the drug could lead to autism."
"Trump's comments drew condemnation from medical bodies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), which have long recommended paracetamol as one of the few painkillers that is safe for women during pregnancy."
"Medical experts are raising alarms after Donald Trump warned pregnant women to avoid taking Tylenol, baselessly linking the painkiller – also known as paracetamol - with a rise in autism among children."
"Experts broadly agree that acetaminophen is one of the best options to manage pain and fever during pregnancy – it’s an easily accessible over-the-counter drug that most pregnant people report using."
"Sowing doubts regarding vaccines, going all in on fringe theories, and opting for extreme positions instead of embracing nuance: At MAHA’s big reveal, Trump seemed determined to steal Kennedy’s spotlight."
"The comments came as Australia’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), re-confirmed that the drug is safe for use in pregnancy."
"Trump's health issues and frequent gaffes have fueled questions about his physical fitness and mental acuity during his second term."
"Experts immediately criticized the announcement."
"Trump's unfounded claims about Tylenol and vaccines contradict established medical guidance and pose potential health risks to expectant mothers and children."
"Trump declared this wasn’t necessary, telling reporters: “Hepatitis B is sexually transmitted. There’s no reason to give a baby that’s almost just born hepatitis B."
"Ultimately, all this may lead to fewer options and more pain for women – including those who find parenthood fulfilling, those who are uninterested in it, and those who are everywhere in between."
"The president's warnings for women to tough it out to prevent autism in their unborn children are completely unwarranted."
"The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists was quick to dispute Trump’s claims, saying that there was no clear evidence linking the use of acetaminophen to autism or other risks to fetal development."
"Shares of Kenvue Inc. fell 7.5% in trading Monday, reducing the company’s market value by about $2.6 billion."
"The Trump administration has been under immense pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s diverse Make America Healthy Again movement to provide answers on the causes of the marked increase in autism cases in the U.S. in recent years."
"The announcement is the latest step the administration, driven by Kennedy and his supporters, has taken to reshape America’s public health landscape."
"The Trump administration unveiled highly contentious conclusions about the causes of autism, together with a push for research purporting to find a possible “cure” for the condition on Monday."
"Despite decades of evidence that acetaminophen is safe during pregnancy, Trump announced that the FDA will notify physicians of a potential link to autism, stirring controversy among experts."
"The idea that [the administration] would highlight two things that have such small, controversial and weak evidence is really concerning."
Center-leaning sources frame the story by consistently presenting political claims about acetaminophen and autism as "unproven" or "misinformation." They prioritize the overwhelming medical and scientific consensus affirming the drug's safety during pregnancy, emphasizing the risks of untreated fever and pain. This approach aims to reassure the public and counter politically driven health anxieties.
"The data cited do not support the claim that Tylenol causes autism and leucovorin is a cure, and only stoke fear and falsely suggest hope when there is no simple answer."
"Despite what the administration would really like, there are no easy sort of explanations for this."
"The federal government should step back and let evidence, not politics, drive progress, because children with autism benefit from answers, not edicts."
"During a press conference about Tylenol and autism risks, President Donald Trump repeated multiple inaccurate claims about a range of topics."
"The press conference held Monday by President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was an abomination."
"Doctors said in interview that their advice hasn’t changed, in spite of the Trump administration’s concerns."
"Doctors also said they don’t want women to doubt what they did during pregnancy if their child does develop autism."
"Trump’s platforming of inaccurate health claims on the White House stage also concerns medical professionals, including some Republican lawmakers."
"Major medical organizations and scientific groups are reacting to the Trump administration's assertion on Monday that the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, the main ingredient in the drug Tylenol, may be linked to autism, despite limited evidence to suggest the association."
"Trump’s comments left some pregnant women angry and others with questions."
"Trump’s comments came under intense criticism from medical experts and researchers — because there’s no proof tying the painkiller to autism."
"Worried parents might wonder how they're supposed to make decisions when the research community might debate autism and acetaminophen for years to come."
"Health officials around the globe are rejecting President Trump's assertion that pregnant women should avoid taking acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, during pregnancy because of unfounded links to autism."
"This does give us here at USA TODAY Opinion an opportunity to ask our readers about it with our latest Forum."
"Current medical guidelines say acetaminophen, the generic form of Tylenol, is safe to use, and decades of medical consensus indicate there is no single "cause" of autism, but rather multiple factors like genetics contribute."
"Trump urged pregnant women to “fight like hell not to take it.""
"Trump's remarks deviated from the more measured guidance offered by his health agencies in subsequent news releases and op-eds."
"The state of the country’s public health is bad now, but it could certainly get even worse from here on out."
"Health experts from around the globe are joining the chorus of doctors and organizations pushing back against the Trump administration's announcement linking the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy to an increased risk of autism in children."
"Medical experts said Trump’s remarks were irresponsible."
"The FDA wrote doctors on Monday advising them to minimize acetaminophen’s use during pregnancy but acknowledged uncertainty: “To be clear, while an association between acetaminophen and autism has been described in many studies, a causal relationship has not been established and there are contrary studies in the scientific literature.”"
"Bauer worries such statements will cut both ways: People may put themselves at risk to avoid vaccines and Tylenol, the only safe painkiller for use during pregnancy."
"Trump's claims about the link between Tylenol and autism have been widely condemned by health experts as dangerous and irresponsible."
"It's certainly a worthy area of study, but irresponsible for the president and top health officials to be making such bold claims."
"The remarks, made alongside health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — a longtime critic of mainstream medicine — rattled doctors and drugmakers."
"Wes Streeting told ITV's Lorraine programme, adding that expectant mothers should not pay "any attention whatsoever" to the US president's unfounded claims."
"Health officials across the globe on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trump's warning that pregnant women should limit the use of Tylenol over unsubstantiated claims of a link to autism."
"Medical bodies say the drug is safe and that it remains the best treatment for pain and fever during pregnancy."
"Above all else, it showed, once again, how spectacularly ignorant and irresponsible our president is."
"The oversimplification of a complex developmental difference that exists on a spectrum of many different abilities and experiences is dehumanizing at best and dangerous at its worst, autism experts, advocacy groups and members of the community told USA TODAY."
"Trump's remarks included many of his own unverfied medical opinions, but also outlined concrete steps that the federal government will take to educate pregnant women on Tylenol and discourage doctors and other health care providers from overprescribing."
"The administration also announced on Monday that it is starting an approval process for a drug called leucovorin, despite limited evidence of benefit."
"The government’s approach to autism and research is now taking shape."
"The bulk of scientific research hasn’t identified a link between acetaminophen and autism."
"The announcement is the latest step the administration, driven by Kennedy and his supporters, has taken to reshape America’s public health landscape."
"Most experts say it is likely due to a combination of factors, including changes in the way the condition is diagnosed."
"The alleged link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and the development of autism is not entirely bunkum, but it also is far from proven."
"The suggestion that a single medication could counteract the effects of autism is sure to be controversial."
"The Trump administration, however, has made repeated claims about its plans to find the "cause" for autism, despite decades of medical and scientific consensus indicating that there is no singular source, including medication, that can be attributed to the condition, and that it is likely the result of multiple contributing factors, including genetics."
"The weight of scientific evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy causes an increased risk for autism or ADHD is simply inconclusive."
"The Trump administration is expected to assert later today that use of acetaminophen — the active ingredient in Tylenol — can increase the risk of autism when used during pregnancy, despite the fact that scientific research has not conclusively demonstrated a causal link."
"Experts have cautioned that finding the causes of autism - a complex syndrome that has been researched for decades - would not be simple."
"Despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting the link, US President Donald Trump is expected to say that using Tylenol during pregnancy raises the risk of autism."
Right-leaning sources frame this story by portraying the Trump administration's autism claims as a courageous challenge to a complacent medical establishment. They use loaded language to discredit "thin-skinned liberals" and "establishmentarians" who oppose the new guidance, emphasizing the "lunacy" of those defying the warning. The narrative highlights studies supporting the administration's position, while presenting critics as politically motivated or defensive.
"Pregnant women across America are pushing back against President Trump’s claims that linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism — by filming themselves taking the pain reliever and posting the videos on social media."
"The protest videos began appearing shortly after Trump, alongside Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, declared that prenatal acetaminophen use 'can be associated with a very increased risk of autism.'"
"President Donald Trump’s warning that Tylenol use during pregnancy could raise the risk of autism sparked an immediate wave of ridicule and sharp pushback from Democratic lawmakers and pundits."
"The Department of Health and Human Services will also launch a nationwide public information campaign to alert parents and families to the possible risks of taking Tylenol during pregnancy."
"The American Academy of Pediatrics said the news conference was filled with "dangerous claims and misleading information" and that no studies have proven that the use of acetaminophen by pregnant women is a cause for autism."
"The concern is that women will be left with no options to manage pain in pregnancy."
"While evidence for any link between Tylenol and autism is certainly not strong, it is not unreasonable to ask whether pregnant women – and many other people, for that matter – should try to avoid taking Tylenol if they can."
"Paracetamol remains safe for use in pregnancy when taken as directed."
"Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other officials announced on Sept. 22 that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, may be associated with autism, a disorder with a wide range of symptoms."
"The Department of Health and Human Services will also launch a nationwide public information campaign to alert parents and families to the possible risks of taking Tylenol during pregnancy, Kennedy said."
"Taking Tylenol is not good. I’ll say it. It’s not good."
"Trump lambasted a top medical organization on Monday over its criticism of new Trump administration recommendations against taking Tylenol during pregnancy due to an associated risk of the child developing autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or other neurodevelopmental disorders."
"This marks an extraordinary cultural shift."
"The president said that “effective immediately” the FDA is “strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary."
"The announcement is expected to advise the public that the use of Tylenol among pregnant women may be linked to autism in children."
"Many experts believe there is not one single cause of the disorder."
"The FDA’s planned physicians’ notice is an interim step while regulators review whether to mandate a permanent safety label change."
"President Donald Trump is poised to unveil a "significant" medical and scientific finding for U.S. children Monday — and said Sunday he believes there may be an "answer" to autism now."
"Kenvue, the company that makes Tylenol, is pushing back on the Trump administration's claims that the widely used over-the-counter pain reliever is responsible for rising autism rates, saying no credible evidence links the drug to the neurodevelopmental condition."
"Studying acetaminophen use during pregnancy is fraught with ethical and technical challenges that make it difficult for scientists to prove a causal effect between acetaminophen and autism spectrum disorder or other neurodevelopmental conditions."
"The announcement raised concerns about the potential risks of acetaminophen during pregnancy while also suggesting a possible treatment for autism symptoms, reflecting a complex and contentious issue."
"Monday’s announcement would break new ground as the federal government’s first official acknowledgment of a potential acetaminophen-autism connection."
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FAQ
Studies and major health organizations have found no conclusive evidence linking prenatal acetaminophen use to autism. Some research shows an association with neurodevelopmental disorders generally, but no direct causal link to autism has been established.
Acetaminophen is widely recommended by doctors and manufacturers as a safe option for pregnant women to relieve fever and pain. Untreated fever during pregnancy poses significant risks, making acetaminophen important to manage these symptoms safely.
Medical experts described President Trump's claims as irresponsible and not supported by evidence. Bioethicists and health professionals criticized the remarks as recycling myths and presenting dangerous advice without scientific basis.
The administration announced a broad effort to study autism causes and indicated that the Food and Drug Administration would notify doctors that acetaminophen use might be associated with an increased autism risk, although no scientific justification was immediately provided.
No, the claims linking vaccines to autism have been long debunked by scientific studies and are not supported by medical consensus.
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