Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, has ignited a contentious debate over the possible links between circumcision, acetaminophen use, and autism rates in children. His recent remarks during a White House Cabinet meeting have not only stirred scientific curiosity but also sparked political and cultural controversy, drawing strong reactions from medical professionals, politicians, and community leaders alike.
During the October 9, 2025, Cabinet session, Kennedy referenced two studies suggesting that infants who undergo early circumcision face a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. According to Kennedy, "two studies show children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism," and he pointed to the probable cause: the administration of Tylenol (acetaminophen) as a painkiller to infants after circumcision. The implication was clear—pain management practices, not the ritual or religious act itself, might be contributing to developmental concerns. As reported by Newsmax, Kennedy’s comments were made amid a broader discussion led by President Trump, who reiterated his stance that both pregnant women and newborns should avoid acetaminophen due to emerging concerns about its potential developmental effects.
But the story didn’t end there. Major media outlets, including USA Today, quickly seized upon Kennedy’s remarks, framing them as a claim that "circumcision causes autism." Kennedy, however, pushed back hard against what he described as "media distortion." On the social platform X, he wrote, "As usual, the mainstream media attacks me for something I didn’t say in order to distract from the truth of what I did say." He stressed that his assertions were rooted in medical research about acetaminophen use, not in any critique of religious or cultural practices.
The controversy soon took on a political dimension. Democratic Congressman Jerry Nadler accused Kennedy of "promoting antisemitism under the guise of pseudo-science," arguing that referencing circumcision in discussions about autism was "deeply offensive" to Jewish communities. This accusation, however, triggered an immediate backlash from within those very communities. The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, in an open letter released on October 10, 2025, rebuked both Nadler and the media for what it called "the weaponization of antisemitism for political gain."
Duvi Honig, founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, stated, "I personally spoke with Secretary Kennedy following the recent uproar. He reassured me directly—confirming what I already knew—that the reports suggesting he linked circumcision to autism are completely false and taken out of context. At no time whatsoever did he intend to attack or even question this sacred Jewish practice." The organization’s open letter went further, commending Kennedy’s longstanding friendship with the Jewish community and accusing critics of exploiting the issue for political purposes. "We call out the misinterpretation of his statements and the weaponization of antisemitism for political gain. False claims only divide. Secretary Kennedy has always shown friendship, respect, and understanding toward the Jewish community."
The Chamber emphasized that Kennedy’s remarks were strictly medical in nature, focused on the use of acetaminophen during or after infant procedures, and not directed at religious circumcision itself. "There is no threat whatsoever from Secretary Kennedy toward circumcision or any Jewish tradition," the statement read.
Meanwhile, Kennedy continued to defend his comments, expressing gratitude for the support he received and reiterating his commitment to "following the science" on all public health matters. He cited a 2015 Danish study that explored autism spectrum disorder rates among circumcised boys under 10 years old. While the researchers in that study noted they could not directly assess whether acetaminophen was involved, they acknowledged their findings "suggest that circumcision may somehow trigger the development of ASD in a small fraction of young boys." The study’s authors were careful to point out that the possible effects of pain, stress, or certain medications in early life "remain incompletely conceptualized."
The broader scientific question Kennedy raised—whether acetaminophen exposure in infancy or pregnancy could be associated with higher autism rates—remains unsettled. Several studies over the past decade have reported potential correlations between Tylenol use during pregnancy or early childhood and an increased risk of neurological and developmental disorders, but definitive proof remains elusive. As reported by Newsmax, the scientific community widely acknowledges that these theories are still under investigation and that the evidence is not yet conclusive.
Health officials have also weighed in to clarify the nuances of Kennedy’s statements. According to reports from Newshub, while Kennedy suggested a connection between circumcision and autism, the studies he referenced primarily focused on how pain management may affect developmental outcomes, without specifically implicating acetaminophen. Officials stressed that the association is observational and does not establish a clear causal link, with other factors—such as parental health behaviors and environmental influences—potentially playing significant roles in the findings.
Following Kennedy’s comments, the Trump administration pledged to investigate the rising autism rates in the United States, which have increased dramatically from a prevalence of 1 in 1,000 children in the 1980s to about 1 in 31 today. President Trump, on September 22, 2025, advised pregnant women to avoid acetaminophen unless absolutely necessary, citing the need for caution amid ongoing research. However, experts like Dr. Jeff Singer, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, the director of Medicare and Medicaid Services, have emphasized that Tylenol is generally considered safe when used appropriately during pregnancy and that research into its potential risks should remain within the scientific and clinical domain, free from political influence.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has also weighed in, noting that the benefits of circumcision often outweigh the risks and that hospitals typically recommend pain relief options such as Tylenol for infants undergoing the procedure. Nonetheless, Kennedy’s remarks have prompted a renewed examination of whether acetaminophen could impact neurodevelopment, especially given the dramatic rise in autism diagnoses over recent decades.
As the debate continues, public health officials, parents, and scientists are left to grapple with complex questions about best practices for infant care and the potential long-term effects of common medical interventions. The intersection of science, politics, and culture in this controversy serves as a reminder of how health policy debates can quickly become entangled with broader social issues, sometimes obscuring the underlying medical questions that deserve careful, unbiased inquiry. For now, the call from experts and community leaders is clear: let the science lead the way, and keep the politics out of the nursery.