Trump Issues New Warning to Pregnant Women About Tylenol
President Donald Trump has once again sparked controversy by warning pregnant women and parents to avoid using an everyday medication — Tylenol — “unless absolutely necessary.”
Renewed Concerns Over Acetaminophen
Last month, Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, could be linked to an increase in autism. Both men made the claim despite the absence of scientific evidence supporting it.
During a press conference, the 79-year-old former president declared, “I think you shouldn’t take it, and you shouldn’t take it during the entire pregnancy.”
Experts Push Back
Health authorities swiftly rejected Trump’s statements. The World Health Organization (WHO) and numerous medical experts emphasized that there is no proven connection between acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism or ADHD.
Before Trump’s September 22 announcement, Tylenol’s parent company, Kenvue, released a firm response. The company stated, “Sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism.”
Kenvue further added, “We strongly disagree with these allegations and are deeply concerned about the confusion and risk they may cause for expectant mothers and parents.”
Another Warning Follows
Despite the pushback, Trump doubled down this week. Posting on Truth Social on October 26, he urged,
“Pregnant women, DON’T USE TYLENOL UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. DON’T GIVE TYLENOL TO YOUR YOUNG CHILD FOR VIRTUALLY ANY REASON.”
He went further, advising parents to separate their children’s vaccines. Trump wrote, “Break up the MMR shot into three totally separate shots (not mixed!), take the chicken pox shot separately, and delay the hepatitis B vaccine until 12 years old or later.”
Vaccine Claims Resurface
Trump has made similar statements in the past, particularly about the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella). He has claimed that combined vaccines could “cause problems” and should instead be administered separately.
However, extensive research has shown no link between autism and the MMR vaccine. The false claim originated from a 1998 study by British doctor Andrew Wakefield, which was later retracted by The Lancet and discredited by numerous follow-up studies.
Experts Call the Claims “Harmful”
Trump’s recent post also referenced a report accusing the FDA of staying “silent” about supposed internal warnings concerning Tylenol’s risks.
Health experts have condemned the remarks. Steven J. Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), described Trump’s statements as “highly concerning” and “irresponsible.”
“These claims send a harmful and confusing message to pregnant patients,” Fleischman warned.
