Edith Hejberg
In a striking White House briefing, President Donald Trump claimed that autism could be linked to Tylenol use during pregnancy and early childhood vaccinations.
Despite acknowledging he is not a medical expert, Trump urged parents to avoid the pain reliever and delay or separate routine childhood vaccines, advice sharply at odds with established medical guidance.
Health Experts and Drugmakers Push Back Hard
Major health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, quickly rejected Trump’s assertions.
Tylenol maker Kenvue issued a strong rebuttal, stating, “We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism.” The UK’s health regulator also reaffirmed the safety of paracetamol (Tylenol’s generic name) during pregnancy.
Trump Revives Debunked Vaccine-Autism Theory
Flanked by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a long-time vaccine skeptic, Trump revived the widely discredited theory linking vaccines to autism.
He suggested spacing out vaccines like MMR and postponing the hepatitis B shot until after infancy. These claims contradict decades of scientific consensus showing vaccines are safe and lifesaving.
Leucovorin Touted as Autism Treatment—Without Proof
Trump’s administration is backing the use of leucovorin, a folic acid derivative, to treat autism symptoms, despite limited evidence.
While a version of the drug has FDA approval for a rare condition linked to autism-like symptoms, researchers say much larger and more rigorous studies are needed to justify its broader use.
Scientists Warn of Fearmongering and False Hope
The Coalition of Autism Scientists cautioned that the administration’s claims could “stoke fear and falsely suggest hope when there is no simple answer.”
Researchers noted that the scientific data cited during the briefing lacks causal evidence and could mislead the public. “Without showing any evidence to back them up, the announcements become reckless and potentially harmful,” said autism expert Dr. Diana Schendel.
Tylenol Label Changes in the Works, But No Causal Link
The FDA plans to revise Tylenol labels to mention a possible association between prenatal use and conditions like ADHD and autism.
However, the agency clarified that no causal link has been confirmed. A recent Swedish study involving 2.5 million children found no connection, and a 2025 review of 46 studies emphasized the lack of proof.
Financial Fallout for Kenvue Eases After Initial Dip
Kenvue’s shares dropped more than 7% following Trump’s remarks but rebounded 5% in extended trading. Analysts at Citi downplayed the impact, citing the absence of new scientific findings.
The company, spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023, has lost about 14% of its stock value since early September, following early signals from the Trump team on this issue.
Trump Defends Past Vaccine Work, Calls for Reforms
Though he praised his own efforts in expediting COVID-19 vaccine development during his first term, Trump said certain ingredients like mercury should be removed from vaccines.
He also repeated suggestions that vaccines should be given later or individually, comments experts worry could erode public trust in immunization programs.
Medical Community Urges Pregnant Women to Stay the Course
Despite the administration’s warnings, leading researchers maintain that acetaminophen remains a safe choice when used appropriately.
They recommend pregnant women use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration, a stance echoed in both American and international guidelines.
Public Skepticism Grows Amid Unfounded Claims
Only one in four Americans believes the Trump administration’s recent vaccine-related proposals are grounded in science, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Experts warn that politicizing health policy in this way may undermine public confidence in essential medical treatments and public health programs.
This article is made and published by Edith Hejberg, which may have used AI in the preparation
