Trump Urges Pregnant Women to Avoid Tylenol Over Autism Risk

Trump Urges Pregnant Women to Avoid Tylenol Over Autism Risk

Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2025 - President Donald Trump issued a warning Monday advising pregnant women to avoid taking Tylenol (acetaminophen), citing what his administration claims is new evidence linking the common over-the-counter painkiller to an increased risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in children. The announcement includes recommendations to limit acetaminophen use during pregnancy unless medically necessary. Al Jazeera+2Reuters+2

What He Said

• During a White House press conference, Trump repeatedly said, “Don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it,” suggesting pregnant women should only use it in extreme cases, such as very high fevers. ABC News+2STAT+2

• He also proposed that the FDA update the safety label for acetaminophen to reflect potential risks of prenatal exposure. Al Jazeera+1

• The administration additionally floated the use of leucovorin, a folate derivative, as a possible treatment for some autism symptoms, though experts warn evidence for its efficacy is limited. Reuters+2STAT+2

Medical Expert Response

The reaction from the medical community has been swift and strong, largely critical of the president’s claims:

• Major bodies like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasized that current evidence does not justify the conclusion that acetaminophen causes autism. They warn that avoiding acetaminophen when truly needed, such as to reduce fever, can itself pose risks to both pregnant women and unborn children. Al Jazeera+3ABC News+3Reuters+3

• Experts pointed to a large recent Swedish study involving 2.5 million children which found no causal link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and increased risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. ABC News+2The Guardian+2

• Researchers co-authoring studies cited by the administration have urged caution. While some observational studies show associations, they do not prove causation. They recommend pregnant women use the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary period, under medical guidance. Politico+2STAT+2

Context & Policy Implications

• The issue comes as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made autism’s causes a priority for his department. His office has reportedly reviewed observational research suggesting risks tied to acetaminophen and other environmental exposures. Reuters+2STAT+2

• Regulatory action is underway: The FDA is preparing guidance to doctors, and the White House has published material asserting “mounting evidence” of the link. That said, the agency notes a lack of definitive proof. STAT+2ABC News+2

Centrist Take: Caution, Balance, Clarity

From a centrist perspective, this announcement raises important issues, some promising, many concerning. Here are some thoughts on what to watch and what to hope for:

What’s positive:

• It’s valuable that autism causes, especially potential environmental contributors, are receiving renewed attention. Better funding for research, clearer data, and more public discussion can help families make informed choices.

• The recommendation to use the lowest safe dose for the shortest needed duration aligns with good medical practice, especially in pregnancy.

What’s concerning:

• Public health guidance should be grounded on strong, replicated scientific evidence. Premature claims risk creating fear, confusion, and potentially harmful behavior (e.g. untreated fevers or pain, which themselves can be risky in pregnancy).

• There may be unintended consequences if pregnant women avoid all acetaminophen out of fear. The risks of untreated pain or fever can be serious, for the mother and the fetus.

• Medical experts are almost unanimous in pointing out the lack of established causation. Confounding factors (genetics, other environmental exposures, socioeconomic variables, etc.) are strong and complicate interpretation of observational studies.

What needs to happen:

• Clear, transparent communication from government and health agencies about what is known, what is still uncertain, and what future studies are needed.

• Collaboration with obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, pediatric neurologists, and public health experts to shape guidelines based on balanced risk assessment.

• Monitoring how this guidance affects behavior among pregnant individuals, and whether it leads to over-avoidance or unnecessary anxiety, or conversely, to better informed decisions.

Bottom Line

President Trump’s warning about Tylenol and autism has stirred controversy. The claim, that Tylenol use in pregnancy contributes to autism, while structured around some observational data, remains unproven in the scientific community. For pregnant women and families, medical consensus still supports acetaminophen as one of the safer options for managing pain and fever, provided use is judicious and under medical supervision.

As this debate unfolds, the priority should be both protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring public health policy is careful, evidence-based, and clear.