President Donald Trump sparked intense backlash this week after claiming there is a direct link between acetaminophen—
commonly sold as Tylenol—and autism in children. Speaking at a memorial for activist Charlie Kirk, Trump promised “one of the most important news conferences” of his presidency, later announcing that the FDA would warn physicians against acetaminophen use during pregnancy.
The president was joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who echoed the concerns. Trump went further, suggesting vaccine advice should follow “common sense” and “what I feel,” remarks that alarmed health experts. To date, no scientific evidence supports a connection between acetaminophen and Autism Spectrum Disorders, making the announcement highly controversial.
Among the critics was former president Barack Obama, who denounced Trump’s remarks during an interview in London. “We have the spectacle of my successor making broad claims around drugs and autism that have been continuously disproved,” Obama said, warning the statements undermine public health and “can do harm to women.” He also called Trump’s assertions “a violence against the truth.”
Obama’s intervention highlights the growing concern over the administration’s fixation on “finding an answer” to autism, despite contradicting established science. With Trump’s comments fueling global debate, the clash underscores both the political volatility of health policy and the risks of rhetoric that departs from medical consensus.