Obama Condemns Trump’s Tylenol and Autism Claims

Former President Barack Obama has criticized President Donald Trump for making a controversial claim that taking Tylenol during pregnancy leads to autism in children, calling the statement a “blunt attack on public health.” In response to Trump’s assertion, Obama highlighted the lack of scientific support for the idea that Tylenol is linked to autism, emphasizing the potential harm of such statements to pregnant women and parents.

Trump argued that individuals who avoid vaccines and medications “have no autism,” and questioned Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the validity of this claim. He also announced plans for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to release new guidance to doctors nationwide, advising them on the use of Tylenol during pregnancy. Despite this, the World Health Organization (WHO) clarified that there is currently “no conclusive scientific evidence confirming a possible link between autism and acetaminophen use,” the non-branded form of Tylenol.

During a sit-down with historian David Olusoga in London, Obama accused Trump of spreading misinformation, stating that his claims “undermine public health” and create unnecessary fear. He pointed out that autism diagnosis criteria have broadened over time, leading to increased prevalence rates, and that Trump’s statements could fuel parental anxiety without scientific backing.

Tylenol representatives responded to Trump’s remarks, asserting that the medication is “one of the most studied drugs in history” and safe when used as directed. They reiterated that decades of research, endorsed by leading medical professionals, confirm no credible connection between acetaminophen and autism. The company also noted that Tylenol is recommended globally for pain and fever relief during pregnancy, and emphasized its role in managing conditions like high fevers that could otherwise harm fetal development.

The Tylenol team stressed their commitment to science, stating, “We prioritize science as the core of how we provide care, and that will never change.” This comes as Trump continues to push his theory about Tylenol causing autism, despite the WHO’s reassurance that the evidence remains inconclusive.