Today at the White House, Donald Trump stunned the medical world with a sweeping claim: “Taking Tylenol is, uh, not good. I’ll say it. It’s not good.”
Trump went further, announcing that the FDA will notify doctors to warn patients that acetaminophen — the active ingredient in Tylenol — could be linked to autism when taken during pregnancy. He urged women to avoid the drug unless “absolutely necessary,” and suggested infants and children should also limit use.
The problem? Scientists say Trump is misrepresenting the evidence. While some observational studies have hinted at a possible association, no causal link between Tylenol and autism has ever been proven. Large-scale research shows inconsistent results, and medical organizations caution that fevers and pain left untreated during pregnancy can carry their own risks.
Drugmaker Kenvue, the parent company of Tylenol, issued a statement pushing back, while doctors warned that fearmongering could cause more harm than good.
For now, the science is clear: the evidence is not settled, but Trump is treating it as if it is. And that has enormous consequences when it comes from the presidential podium.
