On September 23, 2025, President Donald Trump made a bold and controversial claim during a press conference: that taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy is linked to a "very increased risk" of autism in children. Flanked by Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Trump urged pregnant women to "fight like hell" not to take the common pain reliever unless facing a severe fever. The announcement, which also included the false assertion that the current childhood vaccine schedule can lead to autism, sent shockwaves through both the medical community and the general public.
According to BBC News, the immediate aftermath saw a surge of anxious phone calls and messages to doctors from expectant mothers and parents. Dallas Reed, chief of genetics and an OBGYN at Tufts Medical Center, recounted, "Is this why my child has autism?"—a question she was asked by a concerned parent. Dr. Reed anticipates many more such conversations, as worried patients seek reassurance in the face of Trump's remarks. She reflected, "Anxiety is at an all-time high during pregnancy. I think it's unfortunate that now there's another thing on that list of topics that we need to do a deep dive into with our patients."
Medical professionals were quick to push back. Dr. Reed and other obstetricians emphasized that current research does not show a conclusive link between acetaminophen and autism. The Autism Science Foundation, a respected US charity, echoed this stance, stating that existing data does not support a connection between Tylenol and autism. However, they did advise that any medication during pregnancy should be taken with medical guidance.
Acetaminophen, known as paracetamol outside the US, is one of the few pain relievers recommended for pregnant women. Alternatives like ibuprofen have been associated with birth defects and other adverse outcomes, making acetaminophen the safer choice for treating fevers and pain during pregnancy. As Dr. Elizabeth Langen, a maternal fetal medicine specialist at Michigan Medicine, pointed out, "Leaving people in pain is not a healthy approach to a pregnancy." She warned that untreated pain can trigger stress responses and other health effects that negatively impact pregnancies.
The risks of untreated fever during pregnancy are well documented, including increased chances of miscarriage, pre-term birth, and birth defects. Dr. Allison Bryant, a high-risk obstetrician at Massachusetts General Hospital, described Trump's advice as "troubling and worrisome." She cautioned, "I do worry that people will try to avoid medications at all costs because of this fear or worry, which may lead to a sort of unintended harm."
Despite these expert warnings, Trump's claims quickly gained traction online. Forbes reported that videos relating to acetaminophen, vaccines, and autism garnered more than 100 million views on TikTok in the hours following the press conference. Analytics firm Zelf found that Trump's statements were the most popular, even though TikTok's policies prohibit "health information that could cause significant harm." The viral nature of the claims has only intensified the anxiety among pregnant women and parents, with many feeling guilt or fear over past decisions.
Anna Langer, a 42-year-old from the Bay Area who is 21 weeks pregnant, voiced her frustration to BBC News: "What makes me the most angry is it's lying to women, and as part of that lie, saying, 'just suffer through it.' [We're] wanting the best for the baby and we can't do that with this advice." Another expectant mother, Lucy from Minneapolis, described the comments as "insulting," adding, "Pregnancy is one of the hardest things a woman is ever going to do... so to be told to tough it out is infuriating."
Medical organizations and experts were unanimous in their response. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reaffirmed that acetaminophen is safe for use during pregnancy, stating, "The conditions people use acetaminophen to treat during pregnancy are far more dangerous than any theoretical risks." The American Academy of Pediatricians criticized the White House event as "filled with dangerous claims and misleading information." The World Health Organization noted that "multiple studies over the past decade have found no consistent association" between acetaminophen and autism.
Backing up these statements is a recent 2024 Swedish study, which examined nearly 2.5 million births from 1995 to 2019 and found no association between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism in children. While some earlier studies suggested a small link, the consensus remains that there is no consistent or reliable evidence to support Trump's claims.
Tylenol manufacturer Kenvue weighed in as well, stating, "We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism."
Nevertheless, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that the FDA would begin the process of changing acetaminophen's safety label. However, the FDA's notice to physicians used far more cautious language, acknowledging that a causal relationship between Tylenol and autism has yet to be established and reiterating that acetaminophen remains one of the only safe fever relievers for pregnant women. The letter advised doctors to consider limiting use for low-grade fevers, but not to abandon the medication entirely.
Doctors stressed the importance of shared decision-making when it comes to medication during pregnancy. Dr. Bryant explained, "It is always shared decision making. For any medication exposure during pregnancy, we like for pregnant individuals to review with their providers, their midwife, their doctor, what's going on and what are the best next steps." She and others underscored that Trump's remarks would not change how they advise their patients, as they defer to guidance from major medical associations and scientific evidence.
Some experts, like Quatiba Davis, chief clinical officer of ABA Centers, suggested that the focus should be on improving access to care for people with autism, rather than chasing unproven causes. Davis told Forbes, "Autism is a lifelong condition that can be effectively supported with a compassionate and comprehensive therapy plan. Our true focus right now should be on finding ways to eliminate the wait lists and red tape that those seeking an autism diagnosis or services face every day here in the United States."
Emily Oster, a Brown University economist who runs the website ParentData, said she received an outpouring of messages from mothers who were panicked because they had taken acetaminophen during pregnancy. "We are scaring a bunch of people for no reason about things they did in the past and we're generating more anxiety in an already very anxious population," she said.
Ultimately, doctors like Dr. Langen see their role as helping patients navigate the science and make informed choices. But she lamented that time spent dispelling myths about Tylenol is time taken away from other crucial health discussions. "It really distracts and takes away from the quality of health care that we're able to provide to people," she said.
As the dust settles on this latest controversy, one thing is clear: the medical community remains steadfast in its commitment to evidence-based care, even as public discourse—and viral misinformation—threaten to muddy the waters for patients seeking reassurance and support.
