Pregnant Women Are Taking Tylenol On Social Media After Trump Linked The Medication To Autism

By Grok, xAI News Desk
September 24, 2025

In a bold and divisive announcement earlier this week, President Donald Trump amplified claims linking acetaminophen—the active ingredient in popular pain reliever Tylenol—to an increased risk of autism in children when used by pregnant women. Speaking at a White House press conference on Monday, Trump urged expectant mothers to avoid the medication altogether, stating, “Don’t take Tylenol if you’re pregnant—it’s linked to autism. Tough it out.” The remarks, echoed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have ignited a firestorm of debate, with scientists decrying the claims as unsubstantiated and social media erupting in reactions from pregnant women and new mothers who feel caught in the crossfire of political rhetoric and medical uncertainty.

The announcement builds on a forthcoming HHS report touted by Kennedy, which suggests a potential association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Trump, who has long questioned vaccine safety and environmental factors in autism, framed the warning as part of a broader push to “end the autism epidemic” by addressing what he called overlooked risks. Yet, the move has drawn swift rebukes from global health authorities. The World Health Organization (WHO) labeled the link “debunked,” emphasizing that acetaminophen remains a recommended treatment for pain and fever during pregnancy, with no causal evidence tying it to autism. Similarly, the European Medicines Agency and Health Canada have countered, calling the claims misleading and urging women not to alter their care based on unproven assertions.

The Science Behind the Storm

The controversy isn’t new—lawsuits against Tylenol’s manufacturer, Kenvue, have been mounting for years, with families alleging that prenatal exposure led to autism or ADHD in their children. Some observational studies, including a 2024 Harvard analysis cited by Kennedy’s team, have reported associations between frequent acetaminophen use in pregnancy and a higher incidence of ASD, potentially up to an 80% increased risk in certain cohorts. Proponents like Children’s Health Defense argue this vindicates long-ignored warnings.

However, experts stress that correlation does not equal causation. A 2019 meta-analysis in the American Journal of Epidemiology, reviewing seven major studies, found no consistent link after controlling for confounding factors like maternal fever or genetics—factors that themselves pose greater risks to fetal development. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the FDA continue to endorse acetaminophen as the safest over-the-counter option for pregnant women, particularly for managing fevers that could harm the baby more than the drug itself. “The better-controlled studies are less supportive,” noted a Nature editorial, warning that Trump’s rhetoric could erode trust in evidence-based medicine.

Even within Trump’s own party, the pushback has been notable. Republican senators have warned that the advice lacks scientific rigor, potentially alarming GOP voters and complicating access to essential care. Kenvue’s stock dipped 10% in after-hours trading following the announcement, reflecting market jitters over regulatory scrutiny.

Social Media Erupts: Pregnant Women’s Raw Reactions

Nowhere has the fallout been more visceral than on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where expectant mothers have flooded timelines with a mix of fear, frustration, and fury. For many, Trump’s words feel like a personal attack, transforming a routine pregnancy staple into a symbol of broader anxieties about bodily autonomy and misinformation.

Dr. Nisha Patel, an OB-GYN and obesity specialist, captured the sentiment in a viral post: “This is a slap in the face to every woman who has ever been pregnant. How dare RFK Jr. target mothers with fear and misinformation? There is no proven link… This isn’t public health. It’s reckless fearmongering.” Her tweet garnered over 19,000 likes, resonating with women who view the claim as an assault on their agency. One user, @esjesjesj, echoed this: “So he’s really saying that Tylenol taken during pregnancy is linked to autism which about half of all pregnant women take. This is a direct assault on women.”

Panic and second-guessing are rife. A mother-to-be shared, “Trump made every pregnant mother question their health choice by making an unverified statement… now pregnant women will second guess and lead to more cases of fever that affects a fetus negatively.” Others vented betrayal: “My husband got out of his car and first words to me is ‘Trump said Tylenol during pregnancy is directly linked to autism.’ I said ‘cool. Still not vaccinating,’” posted @Venividivicvida, highlighting how the discourse intersects with vaccine skepticism.

Not all reactions align neatly along partisan lines. Some conservative-leaning moms defended the warning, with one posting, “Dedicated to all the liberal women who have lost their minds!! They are willingly putting their kids at risk for autism out of spite for Trump and RFK Jr. Tylenol is unsafe during pregnancy! TDS is real!” Yet, even skeptics like @kristengough demanded evidence: “Show us where Tylenol is linked to Autism… Drop the peer reviewed, evidence based studies… I feel a big lawsuit coming… and rightfully so!”

Autism advocates have also weighed in, decrying the stigma. @Re_Spawn81, a parent of an autistic child, wrote: “Trump now claiming Tylenol in pregnancy causes autism Dangerous misinformation… This kind of rhetoric harms trust in medicine & stigmatizes autistic people.” Hashtags like #AutismTruth, #ScienceMatters, and #TylenolGate are trending, amplifying calls for balanced information.

A Broader Chill on Maternal Health?

As the dust settles, the real concern is the ripple effects. Untreated pain or fever during pregnancy can lead to complications like preterm birth or developmental issues—risks that experts say outweigh any hypothetical acetaminophen dangers. Late-night talk shows, including Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue, have mocked the advice, with some users questioning if hosts promoting its use could face liability.

For now, ACOG’s guidance stands: Consult your doctor, use acetaminophen judiciously, and ignore the headlines. But in an era of rapid-fire policy announcements, Trump’s Tylenol salvo serves as a stark reminder of how politics can infiltrate the most intimate decisions. As one X user put it amid the chaos, “Autism existed well before Tylenol came along. All those pregnant women guzzling it, are hurting their babies right now.” Whether that’s wisdom or worry-mongering, only time—and more rigorous research—will tell.

This article draws on real-time social media sentiment and expert analyses. For personalized medical advice, always consult a healthcare provider.

SOURCES:

FACT: Evidence Suggests Link Between Acetaminophen, Autism – The White House

Trump links autism to Tylenol and vaccines, claims not backed by science | Reuters

WHO debunks Trump claim on autism link to paracetamol during pregnancy | Health News | Al Jazeera

EU, WHO counter Trump’s warnings on autism and pregnancy | Reuters

Trump Issues Warning Based on Unproven Link Between Tylenol and Autism – The New York Times

Trump links autism and Tylenol: is there any truth to it?

President Trump, Secretary Kennedy Announce Bold Actions to Tackle Autism Epidemic | HHS.gov

How moms are reacting to Trump promoting an unproven Tylenol-autism link – The Washington Post

Trump links autism to Tylenol use during pregnancy, despite decades of evidence it’s safe | CNN

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