Trump Warns of Possible Tylenol Link to Autism

Trump’s claim and the White House’s planned announcement

On Sunday President Donald Trump told reporters he thinks acetaminophen – the chemical behind the popular pain reliever Tylenol – is "a very big factor" in the rise of autism. He said the administration was preparing an announcement that would look at the risks of taking the drug during pregnancy.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the pending statement as a "powerful display" of the administration’s commitment to tackling the root causes of chronic diseases. She did not give details about what the announcement would actually say, only that it would focus on protecting families.

The claim has instantly sparked debate because acetaminophen is one of the most widely used medicines by pregnant women. Roughly half of all expectant mothers worldwide take it at some point to relieve pain or fever.

• Trump says the drug may be linked to autism.
• The White House promises a new health‑policy announcement.
• Critics say the science does not support the claim.

Scientists and courts push back

Many researchers say the link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and autism is still unproven. A leading epidemiologist, Andrea Baccarelli of Harvard’s School of Public Health, testified in a lawsuit that the drug could cause neurodevelopmental disorders. He was paid about $150,000 for that testimony.

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote dismissed Baccarelli’s testimony as "unreliable." She wrote that the expert down‑played studies that contradicted his view and highlighted only those that supported it. None of the five paid experts had published work that matched the opinions they gave in court.

Even Baccarelli himself has published research that warns against changing clinical practice based on the limited data. A 2022 study he co‑authored concluded that the evidence was not strong enough to advise pregnant women to avoid acetaminophen.

James Cusack, chief executive of the UK autism charity Autistica, said there is no solid proof that using the drug during pregnancy causes autism. "When you see any associations, they are very, very small," he told reporters. He added that families are looking for simple answers to a complex problem, but science does not yet have a clear answer.

The controversy comes at a time when autism rates have risen, prompting many to search for environmental triggers. Researchers stress that any such search must follow rigorous methods, otherwise policy decisions could be based on shaky ground.

When asked whether the White House’s possible announcement might confuse expectant mothers, Leavitt cautioned reporters not to jump to conclusions before the administration officially speaks.

The clash between political messaging and scientific consensus highlights a broader issue: how health recommendations are communicated when they could affect millions of people. With half of pregnant women using acetaminophen, any claim—whether backed by solid data or not—will have far‑reaching implications.