This week, President Donald Trump made headlines by utilizing the presidential platform to advocate for controversial and largely debunked associations between Tylenol, vaccines, and autism. The administration also outlined a broad initiative aimed at investigating the underlying causes of autism spectrum disorders.
During a lengthy press conference at the White House, Trump repeatedly cautioned pregnant women against taking Tylenol, urging that the medication—which goes by the generic name acetaminophen in the U.S., or paracetamol in various other countries—should also be avoided for infants.
Additionally, he reignited longstanding misconceptions regarding vaccines, suggesting without substantiated medical evidence that the vaccines’ components or closely timed administration could lead to an uptick in autism diagnoses.
This extensive announcement appears to hinge on previously conducted studies rather than offering groundbreaking new research. It emerges amidst the ongoing “Make America Healthy Again” movement which has sought explanations for rising autism rates. The coalition of supporters includes Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., a known advocate against vaccines promoting the myth that they are linked to autism.
The event also highlighted Trump’s ongoing interest in autism issues and his apprehension about childhood vaccination schedules, despite his administration’s past initiatives to enhance COVID-19 vaccine access.
Experts in public health cautioned that Kennedy’s anti-vaccine narrative might erode parental confidence in vaccines designed to protect against serious illnesses, potentially jeopardizing public health, especially within school settings.
Medical professionals criticized Trump’s remarks as reckless. Art Caplan, a bioethicist at New York University, described the press conference as an “appalling exhibition” fraught with rumors, misinformation, and perilous advice stemming from a figure of authority.
During the press conference, Trump heralded that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would inform healthcare providers that Tylenol use “can be connected” with a heightened risk of autism; however, he did not present any immediate scientific justification for this assertion.
The Uncertain Evidence Linking Tylenol to Autism
While some studies suggest a potential link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism, many others have found no significant correlation, says autism researcher David Mandell of the University of Pennsylvania. One complicating factor is the difficulty in separating the influence of Tylenol from the effects of elevated maternal temperatures, which can pose greater risks during pregnancy, such as miscarriage and premature birth, as noted by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
Trump’s advisories against administering Tylenol to young children also faced scrutiny, as evidence indicates that autism develops primarily in the fetal brain.
In response to Trump’s warnings, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine reaffirmed that Tylenol remains a recommended choice for managing fever and pain during pregnancy.
The president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists labeled the claim associating Tylenol with autism as “irresponsible,” given the potentially dangerous and confusing implications for expectant patients.
In a statement released on Monday evening, Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, remarked that the administration “does not subscribe to the idea that merely increasing medication is the sole avenue to enhanced health” and asserted their commitment to their campaign, noting that many Americans express gratitude for this initiative.
In light of the announcement, the maker of Tylenol, Kenvue, refuted any claims linking their product with autism, cautioning that avoiding Tylenol in times of need might lead pregnant women to face dangerous choices between enduring fever or resorting to riskier pain relief methods. Following the news, shares of Kenvue Inc. tumbled by 7.5%, causing a market cap drop of approximately $2.6 billion.
Kennedy further revealed that, upon Trump’s prompting, he would commence an all-agency initiative to explore the various factors believed to influence autism—an inquiry that has perplexed scientists for decades.
Investigating Folate’s Potential Role
Dr. Marty Makary, the FDA Commissioner, then took the floor to announce early movements towards the approval of leucovorin, a folic acid derivative, as a potential treatment for individuals thought to lack adequate levels of folate in the brain, possibly including some individuals with autism.
Leucovorin is already used to mitigate side effects from several prescription medications, including chemotherapy agents. It improves folate levels—an essential B vitamin necessary for generating healthy red blood cells.
Women are generally advised to consume folic acid prior to conception and throughout pregnancy, given its role in decreasing the risk of neural tube defects. Recent studies from various countries, albeit small, have hinted at positive outcomes when high-dose folic acid is prescribed for children with autism, inciting interest among some segments of the autism community.
Experts like Mandell caution, however, that these studies are minimal in scope; asserting that substantial evidence would necessitate a large-scale, well-controlled randomized trial.
A Firm Scientific Consensus Against Vaccine-Autism Claims
During the press conference, Trump also claimed vaccinated individuals are at risk for autism, despite a lack of evidence supporting this, underscoring a gulf between anecdotal belief and established scientific consensus. Spacing vaccine doses as he proposed might elevate the chance of children contracting vaccine-preventable diseases prior to completing their immunization schedule.
While anti-vaccine advocates, including Kennedy, have long pushed the unfounded connection between vaccines and autism, a robust scientific consensus—backed by decades of research—has consistently found no such correlation.
Autism is characterized as a complex developmental condition impacting a spectrum of individuals differently. Those with autism may face challenges in language, learning, social interactions, or emotional reasoning. The disorder now affects 1 in 31 children in the U.S., representing a marked increase from previous years, primarily attributed to broadened diagnostic criteria and improved assessment practices. Experts attribute the disorder’s multifactorial origins to both genetic and environmental contributions.
This latest initiative reflects a significant shift in the administration’s approach to public health under Kennedy’s guidance, as they seek to reshape the dialogue surrounding vaccination and health policy.
As cutbacks continue at federal health agencies and disagreements unfold within the CDC, the ongoing vaccine guidelines have been unexpectedly influenced by Kennedy’s supporters, reflecting an evolving and contentious public health landscape.
