President Donald Trump on Monday claimed a connection between the common pain reliever Tylenol and autism during remarks at the White House—an assertion that immediately drew strong criticism from medical experts who say the science simply doesn’t support it.
“Taking Tylenol is not good,” Trump said. “I’ll say it. It’s not good. For this reason [the FDA] are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary.”
He then cited what he described as a staggering rise in autism diagnoses. “One in 12 boys are now diagnosed with autism,” Trump said. “It’s among the most alarming public health developments in history.” He did not provide a source for the statistic.
Trump went on to suggest that autism is virtually nonexistent in groups that avoid medications and vaccines.
“You know there’s something artificial,” he said. “They’re taking something. By the way, I think I can say there are certain groups of people who don’t take vaccines and don’t take any pills that have no autism. That have no autism.”
He then asked his advisors, “Does that tell you something? That’s currently. Is that a correct statement by the way?”
Experts Call Claims Baseless
Scientists and public health leaders pushed back swiftly, warning that the president’s remarks oversimplify a deeply complex condition and risk spreading misinformation.
“It is disingenuous and misleading to boil autism’s causes down to one simple thing,” said Dr. Alycia Halladay, Chief Science Officer at the Autism Science Foundation. “We know that autism is incredibly complicated, and we need to move away from studies that simplify it down to one exposure without any other considerations.”
Halladay emphasized that genetics play the largest role in autism, citing hundreds of genes that are either inherited or arise through spontaneous mutations that affect early brain development.
While some studies have raised questions about potential links between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes, scientists stress that the research is far from conclusive—and does not establish causation.
“Research is ongoing, but the data doesn’t justify a leap to declaring Tylenol a cause of autism,” Halladay said.
What We Know About Autism Risk
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with a wide spectrum of characteristics, and researchers agree it arises from a mix of genetic and environmental factors.
In addition to genetic predisposition, other contributors may include advanced parental age, prematurity, low birth weight, and maternal illness or fever during pregnancy—but even those are risk factors, not causes.
As for Tylenol (acetaminophen), most medical organizations—including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists—continue to consider it safe for use during pregnancy when recommended by a doctor. The standard guidance is the same for any medication during pregnancy: consult your healthcare provider.
The rise in autism diagnoses, which Trump described as “alarming,” is widely attributed to expanded diagnostic criteria and greater awareness, not a sudden surge in actual cases.
Experts warn that claims like the president’s not only ignore the science but may contribute to stigma and confusion among parents already navigating complex medical decisions.
“We need science-driven answers, not scapegoats,” Halladay said.
See what Trump said on CNN—and how a medical expert responded—during an interview on MSNBC.
