Donald Trump’s Big Announcement on Tylenol Use During Pregnancy
President Donald Trump shook things up Monday when he announced from the Oval Office that the FDA will be warning doctors that acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy “can be associated with a very increased risk of autism.”
He doubled down, saying women should avoid using Tylenol unless “medically necessary,” like during a fever. Trump also stood beside some big names: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.
This statement immediately sparked nationwide debate. For context, Tylenol has long been considered the safest over-the-counter option for pregnant women, while alternatives like ibuprofen and aspirin carry greater risks. At the same time, not treating fever can be harmful to both mom and baby.
What Trump Actually Said About Tylenol and Autism Risk
Trump told reporters: “They are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary.” He then credited Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for helping bring the issue into politics, adding: “We understood a lot more than a lot of people who studied it.”
framing made it sound like the White House was taking a bold stand against a common household medicine. But experts were quick to remind the public that autism is linked to multiple factors—genetics, environment, and more—not just one product.
Experts Push Back: The Science on Tylenol and Autism Isn’t Settled
Medical experts wasted no time pushing back. They made it clear that while some studies have raised questions, the evidence is not strong enough to prove acetaminophen directly causes autism.
Tylenol has been the safest option for pregnant women for decades.
Alternatives like ibuprofen can cause severe complications like miscarriage or birth defects.
Untreated fever during pregnancy can also be dangerous for fetal development.
In other words, avoiding acetaminophen altogether could push women toward riskier choices.
What Tylenol’s Parent Company Kenvue Had to Say
Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, clapped back with a statement just a day before Trump’s announcement.
They said: “Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy. Without it, women face dangerous choices: suffer through conditions like fever that are potentially harmful to both mom and baby or use riskier alternatives.”
They also stressed: “Over a decade of rigorous research, endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators, confirms there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism.”
So while Trump and Kennedy are pushing one side, the medical industry and drug manufacturers are sticking with what’s been the norm: Tylenol is still the safest over-the-counter choice for pregnancy.
The Political Angle: Why Trump’s Statement Hits Hard
This isn’t just about health—it’s also about politics. Trump has aligned with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long been critical of certain medicines and vaccines. Together, they’re shaping public opinion in ways that could shake up healthcare policy.
By saying, “We understood a lot more than a lot of people who studied it,” Trump positioned himself as someone ahead of mainstream science, appealing to those who distrust institutions. But that also opens the door to criticism from medical professionals who call this move “dangerous” and “misleading.”