In the latest episode of America’s ongoing debate over autism, medicine, and political rhetoric, a fierce controversy erupted last week after President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly claimed a link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism. The claim—made at a White House press conference on September 22, 2025—sparked immediate backlash from scientists, medical professionals, disability advocates, and even former President Barack Obama, who called the assertion "violence against the truth," according to CNN.
The drama began when Trump announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would soon inform doctors that taking Tylenol during pregnancy might be associated with a "very high risk of autism." The statement, which echoed a series of unproven theories about autism, Tylenol, and vaccines, was swiftly criticized by the medical community both in the United States and abroad. As Obama put it, such statements "undermine public health, damage trust in science, pose risks to pregnant women, and cause alarm among parents of autistic children." He warned that much of the apparent increase in autism diagnoses is actually tied to expanding the criteria for the spectrum, not a sudden surge in cases.
Obama, speaking at an event in Chicago on September 25, emphasized the broader stakes: "We are witnessing a spectacle: my successor in the White House is making sweeping claims about certain medicines and autism that are continually debunked." He urged Americans to "check the truth when it is inconvenient for us," arguing that political polarization should not erode trust in science or the integrity of public discourse. "The discussion of democracy, the rule of law, and freedom of speech must remain constructive, even as political polarization intensifies disputes, because open dialogue strengthens societal institutions and trust in them," Obama said. His remarks underscored the importance of maintaining trust in scientific institutions, especially as misinformation spreads rapidly in today’s climate.
But it wasn’t just the scientific community or former presidents raising concerns. In Pennsylvania, two openly autistic state lawmakers, Representatives Jessica Benham and Abigail Salisbury—both Democrats—spoke out against what they saw as the Trump administration’s politicization and stigmatization of autism. Benham, the first lawmaker elected to the Pennsylvania House with a publicly known autism diagnosis, was blunt: "This is not the first time that autism has been politicized by this administration, and we cannot allow the whims of non-experts to determine best courses of medical care." She urged pregnant women to "listen to real experts and make healthcare decisions in consultation with their doctors."
Salisbury, who chairs the Pennsylvania Autism Caucus, was equally critical of the administration’s language. "I just became a little bit disgusted with the language they were using to describe people who have autism, as well as the experience of their families," she told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. She described the remarks as deeply harmful to both autistic individuals and their loved ones: "Imagine you are a child with an autism diagnosis. Let’s say your parents do get divorced, or you have some sort of family issue, what does that do to you when you’re hearing that—you’re hearing you destroyed your family and you’re the cause of everybody’s problems?"
The controversy over Tylenol and autism is not new, but the scientific consensus remains unchanged: while some studies have suggested a possible link, most experts agree the evidence is inconclusive and does not establish a causal relationship. As reported by the Capital-Star, many doctors argue that untreated fever during pregnancy can pose a greater risk to a fetus than Tylenol, which is generally considered safer than many alternative treatments for pain and fever. Steven J. Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, criticized the administration’s announcement as "not backed by the full body of scientific evidence" and warned that it "dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children."
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) responded to the uproar by reiterating its commitment to addressing autism. Andrew Nixon, HHS communications director, stated that the department "takes seriously the concerns of autistic individuals and their families and remains deeply committed to finding answers, recognizing that autism spectrum disorder has surged nearly 400% since 2000 and now affects 1 in 31 American children." He added that the FDA would add a safety label warning to products containing acetaminophen (Tylenol’s active ingredient), but "wants to encourage clinicians to exercise their best judgment in use of acetaminophen for fevers and pain in pregnancy by prescribing the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration when treatment is required."
Behind the headlines, the debate has also exposed deeper divisions over how autism is discussed and understood in American society. Kennedy, who has long been associated with the anti-vaccine movement, has described autism as a "tragedy" that "destroys families." He has said, "These are kids who will never pay taxes, they’ll never hold a job, they’ll never play baseball, they’ll never write a poem." Trump, for his part, called autism "such a tremendous horror show." These comments have fueled outrage among autistic people and their families, who say such language is dehumanizing and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
Benham, speaking at a press conference in April, called Kennedy’s rhetoric "offensive to folks on the spectrum and offensive to those who love us. We need more support and services for autistic people, not insults about how we contribute to society." She also criticized the administration’s plan to collect private medical records for a large-scale autism study, describing it as an "autism registry" and warning against "weaponizing autism research for political purposes." Salisbury echoed these concerns, noting that while she supports comprehensive research into autism, she found the administration’s language and tactics alarming. "It’s not great when the president of the United States acts as if a condition that you have is a scourge or a plague on society," she said.
The controversy has even affected public health policy. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, while not directly addressing the Tylenol-autism claims, affirmed the state’s commitment to evidence-based policy, writing on social media: "Here in Pennsylvania, we support our [intellectual disability/Autism (ID/A)] community. We’re going to continue to follow the science and facts to inform our public health guidance—all while investing in our direct support professionals and ensuring that folks in the ID/A community receive the care that they deserve." Salisbury added, "Autistic individuals and our families deserve to know that our lawmakers are listening to data, to doctors and to lived experiences."
In the end, the scientific consensus remains clear: autism is thought to be primarily genetic, though environmental factors during pregnancy can play a role. The apparent increase in autism diagnoses is likely due to broader diagnostic criteria and greater awareness, rather than a sudden epidemic. As Salisbury put it, "I think it’s important, from my perspective, to tell parents that if your child has autism it’s not your fault. When you start telling people, ‘Oh you took Tylenol, therefore your child has autism,’ you’re blaming. That opens the door for people to look at a family with a child with autism and think, ‘Oh that’s your fault. You did that.’ That’s cruel, and that’s wrong, and we should not be blaming."
As debate rages on, a coalition of leading autism and disability advocacy organizations released a statement condemning the administration’s approach: "Autistic people deserve respect and support. There are many policy and program changes HHS could pursue that would materially improve the lives of autistic people and our families. The targeting of autism is part of a broader initiative led by Secretary Kennedy to undermine public health and well-being, undermine trust in science, and to advance harmful, ableist beliefs that make all of us less safe."
As the dust settles, one thing is certain: the fight for accurate science, respectful language, and supportive policy for autistic people is far from over.
