Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr Attacks On Tylenol 

By Valerie Merkowitz

On Monday, Sept. 22, President Trump, along with Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., initiated an attack on the common, over-the-counter painkiller, Tylenol, saying that its main ingredient, acetaminophen, is a primary cause of autism. 

President Trump made these remarks in addition to urging pregnant women to avoid taking the medicine. He encouraged pregnant women to “just tough it out” when struggling with pain, unless they have a dangerously high fever. He claimed that there was “no downside” in pregnant women not taking Tylenol; however, scientists have countered that not taking Tylenol for a fever during pregnancy can be harmful to the fetus. 

While these claims were the first time President Trump had linked autism with Tylenol, this was part of a continuous focus on autism and its causes by his administration. President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have been putting increased time and energy into blaming various sources for autism, making this work surrounding autism a big part of the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. Kennedy has often blamed vaccines as well for causing the disorder. He and President Trump have attacked health companies for ignoring claimed issues in vaccines that they also claim are linked to autism. The administration has committed millions of dollars to research into the causes of autism, claiming that it is a neglected epidemic. 

This recent attack was not supported by any scientific evidence, as many studies have actually found this claim to be false. While one study, funded by the National Institute of Health, showed that acetaminophen was associated with a higher risk of autism, but didn’t cause it, there have also been many studies that disprove that same study. Scientists have done plenty of research on this, still finding acetaminophen to be a safe medicine for all, including pregnant women. 

In addition to discrediting Tylenol, President Trump and his administration have endorsed a different medication, leucovorin, a drug that is usually prescribed to counteract some drugs’ side effects and to treat Vitamin B9 deficiency, as an autism treatment. 

Overall, President Trump has continuously made unverified medical claims about what he and his administration’s efforts to blame what they believe causes autism.