Trump’s Controversial Claims: Examining the Link Between Tylenol and Autism

In a moment that caught the attention of medical professionals and parents alike, President Donald Trump announced what he called “one of the biggest announcements in American history” regarding autism at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. The following day, on September 22, the administration revealed their controversial claim: prenatal Tylenol (acetaminophen) use may be linked to autism rates in the United States. Simultaneously, the FDA approved leucovorin, a form of vitamin B also known as folinic acid, for treating children with autism. This announcement sparked immediate questions from healthcare providers, researchers, and families affected by autism spectrum disorder. Beyond the primary claim about Tylenol, Trump made additional assertions that autism “doesn’t exist within the Amish community” and is virtually absent in Cuba – statements that merit closer examination. The announcement has generated significant debate about medication safety during pregnancy, the nature of autism research, and the intersection of politics and public health.

The claim that Amish communities don’t experience autism has been circulating for years, particularly among anti-vaccination advocates who attribute this supposed absence to the Amish tendency to avoid certain modern medical practices. However, the reality is more nuanced and complicated by factors like underreporting and limited access to diagnostic services. One 2010 study found autism rates of approximately 1 in 271 Amish children in Ohio and Indiana, compared to the then-national rate of 1 in 54. This suggests autism does indeed exist in these communities, though perhaps at different rates. Diagnosis is further complicated by the prevalence of homeschooling in Amish communities, as schools often serve as important settings for autism identification. Trump extended similar claims to Cuba, suggesting that limited access to Tylenol correlates with lower autism rates. While Cuba does face severe drug shortages with over 70% of essential medications being unavailable or prohibitively expensive, research indicates autism is present there as well. A study cited on ERIC estimated autism prevalence in Cuba at 2 to 4 per 10,000 children. The apparent statistical difference more likely reflects limited diagnostic infrastructure and awareness rather than an actual absence of the condition in Cuban populations.

The timeline of this investigation raises questions about the scientific process behind the announcement. In April 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched an initiative to uncover environmental causes of autism, promising results by September – a remarkably quick turnaround for comprehensive scientific research. While studies exploring links between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes have been emerging since the early 2010s, the scientific consensus remains tentative. A 2025 review by Harvard’s Andrea Baccarelli examined 46 studies, with 27 reporting positive associations between acetaminophen and conditions like autism and ADHD. However, epidemiologist Ann Bauer, whose work was cited in connection with the announcement, emphasized that “correlation is not causation” and called for further research before drawing definitive conclusions. This caution stands in stark contrast to the certainty conveyed in the administration’s announcement, highlighting the gap between preliminary scientific findings and established medical consensus. The folic acid parallel is instructive – though scientists discovered its role in preventing birth defects in the 1960s, public health action took decades to implement, with fortification only becoming standard by 1998.

The administration’s warning about Tylenol creates a significant dilemma for pregnant women, as acetaminophen is widely considered the only safe over-the-counter option for treating fever during pregnancy. While NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen may be safe in early pregnancy, the FDA advises against their use after 20 weeks due to potential kidney issues in the fetus. After 30 weeks, NSAIDs may cause premature closure of a vital fetal heart vessel. Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Emergency Physicians recommend acetaminophen as the first-line treatment for pain and fever during pregnancy, noting that untreated symptoms – especially fever – often pose greater risks to mother and baby than the medication itself. Trump’s advice to pregnant women to “tough it out” rather than take Tylenol has been met with criticism from medical professionals who warn that untreated fevers during pregnancy can have serious consequences. The UK’s Health Secretary Wes Streeting even advised pregnant women to ignore Trump’s medical advice entirely, while some American women posted videos of themselves taking Tylenol in defiance of the president’s statement.

Another aspect of the controversy involves the historical timeline of Tylenol and autism diagnoses. Some supporters of the announcement have suggested that Tylenol’s introduction coincides with the rise in autism cases, but historical records don’t support this claim. Acetaminophen was first synthesized in 1878, long before autism was recognized as a clinical condition. It entered medical practice in the late 1940s and was marketed as Tylenol in 1955 – twelve years after psychiatrist Leo Kanner published his groundbreaking 1943 paper on infantile autism. Tylenol became available without prescription in 1960, while autism wasn’t formally classified as a distinct diagnosis until its inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1980. Questions have also arisen about potential conflicts of interest, with some speculating that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz might benefit from the announcement due to his reported holdings in iHerb, a retailer selling folinic acid supplements. However, HHS has denied these claims, noting that Dr. Oz pledged to divest his iHerb stake and that the policy concerns prescription leucovorin, not over-the-counter supplements.

The scientific and medical communities have responded to this announcement with a mix of concern and caution. The FDA took a measured stance, acknowledging no causal link between acetaminophen and autism has been established while suggesting clinicians consider limiting its use during pregnancy for routine low-grade fevers “in the spirit of patient safety and prudent medicine.” The Autism Science Foundation emphasized that research on leucovorin is still preliminary, and more studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions. This controversy highlights the tension between political announcements and scientific consensus, the challenges of communicating nuanced medical information to the public, and the real-world consequences when health recommendations change suddenly. For the millions of Americans affected by autism and the countless expectant mothers concerned about medication safety, this debate underscores the need for evidence-based guidance that balances potential risks against known benefits, while acknowledging the limitations of current research and the complex nature of neurodevelopmental conditions.