Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed his concerns on Wednesday regarding the Trump administration’s assertion that Tylenol usage during pregnancy could be linked to autism in children, expressing he was “very concerned” about how this warning might affect expectant mothers.
During an appearance on CNN’s “Inside Politics,” Thune (R-SD) appeared doubtful that recent statements regarding the widely-used pain reliever and its connection to autism, made by President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are fully supported by conclusive scientific data.
When asked by CNN’s Dana Bash whether he was worried that the announcement made on Monday could negatively impact the health of women and their unborn children, the Senate Republican leader stated, “Well, I’m obviously very concerned about that.”
Thune emphasized, “I believe that science should guide our discussions, conversations, and the choices we make regarding health.” He continued, “While there are studies they reference, I believe that many in the medical community would arrive at a different conclusion regarding Tylenol’s use.”
He added, “We should approach broad claims with caution and guarantee that they are founded in reliable science and medicine, collaborating with field experts and verifying that these assertions are accurately documented.”
On Monday, Trump, RFK Jr., and other senior health officials in the administration revealed that acetaminophen, the primary component in Tylenol, could pose a “significantly increased risk of autism.”
The White House referenced several studies it claimed indicate that “the use of acetaminophen by pregnant women, particularly later in pregnancy, could lead to long-term neurological impacts on their children.”
While the studies suggest a correlation between acetaminophen use and autism among children, they do not establish a direct causal relationship between the medication and the neurodevelopmental disorder.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Kenvue, the producer of Tylenol, have both contested the findings presented by the Trump administration.
Thune remarked, “The secretary has a duty to regain the trust of the American populace in the decision-making process, and this can be achieved by ensuring that decisions are scientifically based.”
He added, “There must be oversight, accountability, and transparency within this decision-making framework to ensure it operates on a foundation of science.”
On Tuesday, Senator Bill Cassidy, a licensed physician who leads the Senate committee overseeing healthcare policies, argued that the “preponderance of evidence” indicates there is no substantial connection between acetaminophen and an increase in autism diagnoses.
Cassidy (R-La.) urged Kennedy to disclose the data that the Trump administration utilized to support this assertion.
He further expressed concern, “Women may find themselves without options for pain management during pregnancy.” The senator posted on X stating, “We must approach this issue with compassion.”
