Donald Trump Criticised for Claims Linking Autism to Paracetamol and Vaccines
US President Donald Trump has provoked widespread criticism after suggesting autism may be linked to the use of paracetamol during pregnancy and to common childhood vaccines. Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump repeatedly warned women not to take the widely used painkiller and advised parents to delay or separate their children’s vaccinations.
Trump, who admitted he is not a medical professional, said:
«Do not take Tylenol. Do not take it. And don’t let them pump your baby up with the largest pile of stuff you have ever seen,» in reference to vaccines.
His remarks directly contradict guidance from medical bodies which cite extensive studies showing that paracetamol is safe in pregnancy and that vaccines save millions of lives.
Medical Experts and WHO Reject Claims
A World Health Organization spokesperson said on Tuesday that evidence linking paracetamol use in pregnancy with autism remains inconsistent.
«The evidence remains inconsistent,» Tarik Jašarević told a press briefing in Geneva. «We know that vaccines do not cause autism. Vaccines save countless lives. So this is something that science has proven, and these things should not be really questioned.»
The president appeared alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a known vaccine sceptic, and also backed leucovorin, a form of folic acid, as a potential treatment for autism symptoms. The Trump administration has directed drug firms to prepare for increased production of the drug, though researchers say only small trials have been conducted and evidence remains limited.
Medical organisations including the American Academy of Pediatrics condemned the president’s claims.
«The data do not support the idea that Tylenol causes autism or that leucovorin is a cure,» a coalition of autism researchers warned.
Britain’s health regulator likewise confirmed there is no evidence linking paracetamol to autism.
Pharma and Market Response
Pharmaceutical company Kenvue, which makes Tylenol, said it strongly disagreed with Trump’s comments and stressed that acetaminophen is safe. Its shares initially dropped more than 7% before recovering as analysts noted the White House had presented no new scientific evidence.
Experts pointed out that research consistently finds no causal connection between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism. A Swedish study of 2.5 mln children in 2024 found no link, while a 2025 review suggested only a possible association that did not prove cause and effect. Doctors advise that paracetamol should be taken in pregnancy only when necessary and at the lowest effective dose.
The remarks have drawn comparisons with Trump’s pandemic-era briefings, when he promoted unscientific remedies such as disinfectant ingestion. Critics warn that his latest comments could alarm parents and undermine confidence in essential vaccines that have eradicated diseases like polio and measles.
Kursiv also reports that the US President Donald Trump described conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a «martyr for American freedom» during an emotional memorial service on September 21.
