Trump Sparks Controversy with Unfounded Claims Linking Tylenol to Autism:

September 23, 2025 – In a move that has alarmed medical experts and public health officials alike, former U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines Monday for promoting unproven claims about Tylenol and its alleged link to autism. Speaking on a televised appearance, Trump urged pregnant women to avoid taking Tylenol — a common over-the-counter painkiller containing acetaminophen — despite decades of medical research and expert recommendations deeming it safe during pregnancy. “Don’t take Tylenol,” Trump warned repeatedly, offering unsolicited medical advice without any professional credentials or scientific backing. He even suggested when children should or shouldn’t be given painkillers, directly contradicting established medical guidelines. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has long maintained that acetaminophen is safe for use during pregnancy when used as directed. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also states that there is no clear evidence linking the appropriate use of acetaminophen in pregnancy to autism or developmental disorders. Some studies have explored a potential connection between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and an increased risk of autism, but the overall scientific consensus remains that the evidence is inconsistent and inconclusive. Meanwhile, numerous other studies have found no such link. Kenvue Responds to Claims Tylenol, first introduced in 1955 by McNeil Laboratories as a children’s pain reliever, is now produced by Kenvue, a U.S.-based consumer health company formerly part of Johnson & Johnson. Kenvue, which owns other major brands like Band-Aid, Listerine, Aveeno, and Neutrogena, swiftly issued a response to Trump’s comments. The company rejected any claims connecting Tylenol (acetaminophen) to autism and warned that such misinformation could put pregnant women at risk. “Discouraging the use of Tylenol could lead to untreated fevers or cause expectant mothers to turn to less-studied and riskier alternatives,” a company spokesperson said. Medical experts agree that managing fever during pregnancy is critical. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine cautions that untreated fevers, especially in the first trimester, can increase the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and other complications. Autism and Acetaminophen: What Does the Science Say? The Coalition of Autism Scientists also pushed back against the former president’s remarks. In a statement, the group pointed out that while autism diagnoses have increased in recent years, the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy has remained largely consistent — undermining any direct correlation. The FDA emphasized that research is ongoing, but currently, there is no need for pregnant women to stop using acetaminophen as advised by their doctors. A New Direction in Autism Research? In more positive developments, the FDA announced it is exploring the approval of leucovorin, a folic acid metabolite, as a potential treatment for some individuals with autism. The move stems from research suggesting some people with autism may have low levels of folate in the brain, and that supplementing it could improve certain symptoms. Health experts continue to recommend that women take folic acid before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects — and potentially lower the risk of autism.

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