Fact Check: Trump's Controversial Claims About Autism and Tylenol

Tue Oct 21 2025 01:33:15 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

President Trump's recent remarks linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism diagnosis rates have been met with skepticism from health experts. A closer look reveals the complexities of autism statistics and vaccine safety.

In a news conference, President Trump claimed a link between Tylenol use and rising autism rates, which has sparked backlash from the medical community. Experts assert that increased autism diagnoses over time are largely due to improved diagnostic practices rather than external factors. Trump's assertion about the MMR vaccine and its supposed dangers was also criticized, as extensive studies show no connection to autism. Overall, the dialogue around autism and vaccines remains contentious and requires accurate representation backed by scientific evidence.

US President Donald Trump has attracted condemnation from health experts, after he sought to claim there was a link between the widely used painkiller Tylenol and autism.

Accompanied by his Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Trump said doctors would soon be advised not to recommend the drug - called paracetamol in some other countries, including the UK - to pregnant women.

The claims have been attacked by medical experts. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said the announcement was unsettling and not based on reliable data, while the UK's National Autism Society called Trump's statement dangerous, it's anti-science and it's irresponsible.

During the event, Trump listed a number of statistics which he said showed autism diagnoses in the US have risen rapidly over the past two decades. He claimed that incidence has increased from around one in 10,000…probably 18 years ago to one in 31 by 2025. While the final statistic quoted by Trump - that autism rates have risen to one in 31 - is correct, the rate did not grow anywhere near the figure he cited. Most experts assert that rising autism rates can be attributed to changes in diagnostic practices.

Trump also made claims about the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine, suggesting they should be taken separately rather than as a combined shot, raising concerns that such statements may deter parents from vaccinating their children against preventable diseases. The idea that vaccines cause autism has been widely debunked, with extensive studies finding no link.

Experts have even noted potential risks associated with segregation of vaccines, as separating them could lead to missed vaccination appointments or increased disease susceptibility.

Trump cited the Amish community as having virtually no autism cases, linking it to low Tylenol usage, but experts warn that the perceived low diagnosis rates could be due to lack of proper diagnostic practices in that community.

Trump's history with autism and vaccines stretches back several years, often leading to widespread debate over the subjects. Medical experts stress the importance of real data and scientific evidence in discussing these issues.