Trump to announce possible link between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism, sparking medical and industry backlash.
The Trump administration is expected to announce on Monday that taking Tylenol, or its generic form, acetaminophen, during pregnancy may increase the risk of autism in children. Officials have described the forthcoming statement as one that could “change the medical field forever.”
Two administration officials, speaking to Politico on condition of anonymity, said the government will also recommend leucovorin, a drug typically used for cancer and anemia treatment, as a potential therapy for individuals with autism.
“Autism is totally out of control,” President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday, hinting at the revelation. “I think we, maybe, have a reason why.”
White House spokesperson Kush Desai reinforced the significance of the plan in a Sunday statement, calling it an “announcement [that] will make historic progress” in addressing rising autism rates.
Addressing autism has been a key focus for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who earlier this year promised to uncover possible causes by September. If confirmed, this would be the first time the U.S. government has officially linked acetaminophen to autism.
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report released in the spring, 1 in 31 American eight-year-olds were diagnosed with autism in 2022 – up sharply from 1 in 150 in 2000.
Kennedy has repeatedly suggested that environmental factors and vaccines contribute to the increase, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. Public health experts attribute the higher numbers largely to broader diagnostic criteria and greater awareness of the condition.
Kenvue, the parent company of Tylenol, dismissed the administration’s assertion.
“We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism,” the company said in a statement.
“The facts are that 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,” the statement continued.
Acetaminophen remains the most commonly recommended pain reliever and fever reducer for pregnant women. Health authorities already caution against using ibuprofen or Advil during pregnancy because of risks of miscarriage and birth defects. Major medical organizations continue to advise that acetaminophen is safe when used as directed.
Skepticism about vaccines – central to Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiatives – has also found a voice in Trump’s recent remarks.
“Vaccines are very interesting,” the president said when asked if the upcoming announcement would also address a vaccine-autism link. “They can be great, but when you put the wrong stuff in them, and, you know, children get these massive vaccines, like you’d give to a horse… I’ve said for a long time, I mean, this is no secret.”
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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