What's happened
In September 2025, US President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy causes autism, urging women to avoid it. These assertions lack scientific support and have been widely rejected by global health authorities, including the WHO and UK health officials, who emphasize acetaminophen's safety and warn against misinformation that could harm pregnant women.
What's behind the headline?
Political Motives and Scientific Disregard
The Trump administration's push to link acetaminophen use during pregnancy to autism reflects a broader pattern of politicizing health issues without robust scientific backing. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s history of vaccine misinformation and the administration's eagerness to announce a 'breakthrough' on autism causes suggest an agenda prioritizing political narratives over evidence.
Impact on Public Health and Pregnant Women
The unfounded claims risk deterring pregnant women from using one of the safest and most common pain relievers, potentially leading to untreated fevers and pain that pose real risks to fetal health. Experts warn this misinformation perpetuates maternal blame and stigma, exacerbating anxiety among families with autistic children.
Scientific Consensus vs. Political Claims
Global health authorities, including the WHO, UK MHRA, and leading researchers, emphasize that no causal link exists between acetaminophen and autism. Large-scale studies, such as the 2024 Swedish cohort of 2.4 million births, found no association. The administration's reliance on flawed or misinterpreted studies undermines public trust in science.
Forecast and Consequences
This controversy will likely deepen public confusion about autism's causes and safe pregnancy practices. It underscores the need for clear, science-based communication from trusted health authorities. The politicization of health risks may also fuel further skepticism toward vaccines and medical guidance, complicating public health efforts.
Relevance to Readers
Pregnant women and families affected by autism must navigate conflicting messages. This story highlights the importance of consulting healthcare professionals and relying on established medical guidance rather than politicized claims. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of health misinformation in the digital age.
What the papers say
The Guardian's Arwa Mahdawi critiques Trump's incoherent and irresponsible health advice, highlighting the lack of evidence linking acetaminophen to autism and the misogynistic undertones of urging women to 'tough it out' during pregnancy. Denis Campbell in The Guardian and The Independent's Jane Kirby emphasize UK health officials' strong rebuttals, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting urging trust in British medical science over Trump's claims. They cite a major 2024 Swedish study involving 2.4 million children that found no causal link.
Bloomberg reports Trump's dramatic language on autism's impact and his suggestion of leucovorin as a treatment, while The Guardian's Oliver Holmes details global health agencies' dismissal of the claims, including WHO's statement that vaccines do not cause autism and that acetaminophen's risks are unproven.
The NY Post and The Independent provide perspectives from US politicians like Senator John Thune and Senator Bill Cassidy, who call for science-based decision-making and caution against broad assertions without solid evidence. The Guardian and The Mirror cover Nigel Farage's refusal to side with medical experts, contrasting with UK officials' condemnation of misinformation.
Business Insider UK notes the financial impact on Tylenol's maker, Kenvue, amid the controversy. Overall, the sources reveal a clear divide between political figures promoting unsubstantiated claims and the scientific and medical communities advocating evidence-based guidance, underscoring the risks of politicizing health information.
How we got here
The Trump administration, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., sought to identify causes of autism, culminating in claims linking prenatal acetaminophen use to autism. This followed decades of rising autism diagnoses, largely attributed to broader diagnostic criteria and awareness. The claims reignited debates over vaccine safety and autism causes, despite extensive research disproving direct links to acetaminophen or vaccines.
Go deeper
- What evidence exists about acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism?
- How have UK health officials responded to Trump's claims?
- What are the potential risks of avoiding acetaminophen during pregnancy?
Common question
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Does Paracetamol Cause Autism? What You Need to Know
Recent headlines suggest a link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism, sparking concern among parents and health professionals. But what does the science say? Is there real evidence linking paracetamol to autism, or is this a case of misinformation? Below, we explore the facts, the claims, and what pregnant women should consider when it comes to pain relief options.
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What Are the Broader Implications of US and UK Policy Shifts Today?
Recent policy changes in the US and UK are shaping global politics, economics, and public health in significant ways. From controversial health claims to immigration reforms and international sanctions, these shifts raise important questions about their impact on everyday life and international relations. Below, we explore some of the key questions and what they mean for the world today.
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Is Tylenol Safe During Pregnancy? What Science Says About the Autism Link
Recent claims have suggested a link between paracetamol (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and autism. However, extensive scientific research and official health authorities in the US and UK strongly reject this connection. If you're pregnant or planning to, you might be wondering: Is Tylenol safe? What does the science really say? Below, we answer common questions and clarify the facts to help you make informed decisions about pain relief during pregnancy.
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Are Tylenol and pregnancy risk claims true? What do experts say?
Recent headlines have claimed that Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy might increase the risk of autism. But what does the scientific community say? Are these claims backed by evidence or are they misinformation? Here’s what you need to know about Tylenol safety during pregnancy and the truth behind these controversial statements.
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Is Tylenol Safe During Pregnancy? What You Need to Know About Misinformation
Recent claims linking Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy to autism have caused confusion and concern. While some political figures have promoted these ideas, extensive scientific research shows no causal link. Understanding the facts can help pregnant women make safe choices and avoid falling for misinformation. Below, we answer common questions about medication safety, misinformation, and how health authorities respond to false claims.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a condition characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction, a need or strong preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing differences, focused.
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Wesley Paul William Streeting is a British politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Ilford North since 2015, and since 2020 as Shadow Minister for Schools.
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Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. (born January 17, 1954), also known by his initials RFK Jr., is an American politician, environmental lawyer, author, conspiracy theorist, and anti-vaccine activist serving since 2025 as the 26th United States secretary of healt
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Nigel Paul Farage is a British politician. He has been leader of the Brexit Party since 2019, and served as Member of the European Parliament for South East England from 1999 until the United Kingdom's exit from the EU in 2020.
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The University of Durham, which operates under the trading name of Durham University, is a collegiate public research university in Durham, England, founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by royal charter in 1837. It was the first recogn
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University College London, officially known as UCL since 2005, is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom.
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The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is the body responsible for the leadership and support of the pharmacy profession within England, Scotland and Wales.
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