This week, President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a bold move that puts them at odds with medical establishment orthodoxy. They’re warning pregnant women to avoid Tylenol use. The reason? New research suggests it might increase autism risk in children.
What Trump Actually Said
At Monday’s White House press conference, Trump didn’t mince words:
“Don’t take Tylenol if you’re pregnant, and don’t give Tylenol to your child.”
He said:
“Fight like hell not to take it.”
The President announced that the FDA will issue a physician notice and begin the process to initiate a safety label change for acetaminophen (Tylenol and similar products).
Kennedy was more measured. He said the government wants doctors to use “the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration when treatment is required” and only when medically necessary.
A major study from Harvard and Mount Sinai, published in August, found “strong evidence of an association” between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism.
What’s really telling? In May 2017, Tylenol’s own Twitter account posted: “We actually don’t recommend using any of our products while pregnant.”
The White House even retweeted this old post to make their point.
https://t.co/LjALiSXN5J pic.twitter.com/B23RA0MVi7
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 24, 2025
The Science Behind the Administration’s Claims
The key scientific evidence came from Andrea Baccarelli, dean of the faculty at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who had recently conducted a comprehensive review of 46 studies involving over 100,000 participants across multiple countries.
His research, published in August 2025, found evidence of an association between acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy and increased rates of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
Baccarelli provided the White House with a detailed statement about his findings, writing:
“This biological evidence lends support to the possibility of a causal relationship between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism.”
However, he was careful to add that:
“Further research is needed to confirm the association and determine causality, but based on existing evidence, I believe that caution about acetaminophen use during pregnancy—especially heavy or prolonged use—is warranted.”
As for further research? Dr. Zeyan Liew at Yale School of Public Health is currently conducting:
“an extensive study into acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism.”
Baccarelli advocated for a measured approach:
“After assessing the evidence, my colleagues and I recommended a balanced approach based on the precautionary principle: Patients who need fever or pain reduction during pregnancy should take the lowest effective dose of acetaminophen, for the shortest possible duration, after consultation with their physician about their individual risk-benefit calculation.”
The Harvard researcher confirmed he had been in direct contact with the administration before their announcement:
“I discussed our scientific findings and this recommendation from our review article with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya in recent weeks and appreciate their interest in this study.”
The administration also referenced large-scale studies, including the Nurses’ Health Study II and the Boston Birth Cohort, as well as a 2021 international consensus statement recommending pregnant women “minimize exposure” to acetaminophen.
Opposition Chimes In
The medical establishment is pushing back hard against Trump’s announcement. Groups like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say Tylenol is still the safest pain reliever for pregnant women.
What’s particularly interesting is who’s jumping into this debate. Randy Weingarten, the teachers’ union boss, felt the need to weigh in on social media, defending Tylenol’s safety during pregnancy. Since when do union leaders give medical advice? This shows how political this issue has become.
Liberal women on social media have even started taking Tylenol just to spite Trump’s recommendations. Some pregnant women are posting videos of themselves taking the medication as a form of protest. This shows how reflexively some people oppose anything this administration says, even when it might protect children.
Health officials in Europe, Australia, and the World Health Organization all rejected Trump’s claims within 24 hours. “Available evidence has found no link between the use of paracetamol during pregnancy and autism,” the European Medicines Agency said.
The Conservative Angle
For conservatives, this issue hits several key themes. First, it’s about questioning expert authority when that authority might be wrong. The same medical establishment that got so many things wrong during COVID is now telling us not to worry about Tylenol.
Second, it’s about protecting our most vulnerable: unborn children. Autism rates have “surged nearly 400% since 2000 and now affect 1 in 31 American children,” according to HHS. If there’s even a chance that common medications are contributing to this, shouldn’t we take precautions?
Third, it’s about the power of Big Pharma. Tylenol maker Kenvue immediately pushed back, saying:
“independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism.”
What Happens Next
The FDA will update Tylenol’s labeling to include warnings about potential risks during pregnancy. Doctors will get official notices about the possible autism connection. There will also be a public awareness campaign to help families make informed choices.
For conservatives, this represents exactly the kind of shake-up we voted for. Instead of just accepting what the medical establishment says, Trump’s team is looking at new evidence and putting children’s safety first.
New Vaccine Guidelines
The Tylenol announcement was part of broader vaccine policy changes. RFK Jr. fired all CDC vaccine advisors and replaced them with his appointees. COVID vaccines now require doctor consultations for most people – only those 65+ or with health conditions get them without prescriptions.
Trump wants childhood vaccines spread over multiple visits instead of one appointment. He called for breaking up the MMR vaccine into separate shots, delaying hepatitis B vaccination until age 12, and removing aluminum from vaccines.
Looking Ahead
Stay informed as more research comes out. Support politicians who are willing to challenge medical orthodoxy when children’s health is at risk and support autonomy over personal health decisions.
Most importantly, use your common sense. Our grandparents raised healthy children without popping pills for every ache and pain. Sometimes the old ways were better.
The debate over Tylenol and vaccines shows a bigger truth conservatives understand: just because something is widely accepted doesn’t make it right. Sometimes it takes an outsider like Trump or RFK Jr to ask the hard questions everyone else is afraid to ask.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
