Health organizations reject Trump’s claim linking Tylenol to autism

In September 2025, health experts from various countries vocally opposed comments made by President Donald Trump regarding acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, suggesting it might increase autism risk during pregnancy. This announcement, made at a White House briefing with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., caused significant concern among medical professionals. Trump's assertion prompted immediate backlash from prominent health authorities across Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and beyond, who stated there was no new scientific evidence to support the claim. The European Medicines Agency affirmed that acetaminophen remains a safe and effective medication for treating pain or fever in pregnant women, emphasizing that robust assessments of available data found no evidence linking its use to autism spectrum disorders in children. The global medical community underscored the importance of relying on established scientific research rather than unverified claims. For example, a notable study from Sweden followed nearly 2.5 million children over a 25-year period, concluding that there is no causal relationship between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders. The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency reiterated that acetaminophen is safe for use during pregnancy. Health officials in Australia echoed this sentiment, criticizing Trump's statements as unfounded and irresponsible, knowing that such misinformation risks alarming expecting mothers. Doctors, like Dr. Sipika Tyagi from Virtua Health, reaffirmed their recommendations for patients to use acetaminophen when needed, emphasizing how high fevers during pregnancy can lead to serious complications for both the mother and child. They have noted a surge in inquiries from concerned pregnant women following Trump’s comments, highlighting the need for accurate medical guidance during pregnancy. Many physicians have emphasized that millions of women have utilized acetaminophen for decades without complications, championing the need to adhere to established medical recommendations. Beyond the immediate reactions from health professionals, these incidents showcase the broader issue of misinformation in public health and its potential impacts on societal health behavior. Trump’s administration also announced a commitment to funding new research aimed at better understanding the causes of autism and exploring potential new treatments, possibly as a means to mitigate backlash against their controversial claims regarding acetaminophen.