Acetaminophen—commonly known by the brand name Tylenol—is one of the most widely used medications for relieving pain and reducing fever. Recently, it made headlines after President Trump suggested a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism. This claim stands in stark contrast to decades of research showing the drug’s long record of safety when used as directed. This week’s Friday Five takes a look at what experts, health organizations and scientists have to say about Trump’s assertions.
Major Health Organizations Dispute Trump’s Tylenol-Autism Assertion
Major medical and health organizations swiftly responded to Trump’s recent comments linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) affirmed both the safety and benefits of acetaminophen during pregnancy, while the Autism Science Foundation (ASF) issued a statement addressing the White House announcement on autism. Similarly, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) reaffirmed the overall safety of acetaminophen, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) reiterated that it remains an appropriate medication for treating pain and fever during pregnancy. The National Medical Association (NMA) also criticized the federal government’s misleading framing of acetaminophen risks, and the World Health Organization (WHO) firmly rejected claims of any link between Tylenol and autism.
‘Sick to My Stomach’: Trump Distorts Facts on Autism, Tylenol, and Vaccines, Scientists Say
Scientists and public-health experts swiftly criticized the claims as misleading and unsupported by the weight of existing evidence.
Tylenol maker says it ‘strongly disagrees’ with Trump’s claims about acetaminophen
The manufacturer of Tylenol, the best-selling form of acetaminophen, said that it “strongly disagrees” with President Donald Trump’s suggestion that its drug may cause autism.
Tylenol is Safe and Effective for Pregnant Patients
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) addresses the safety and efficacy of Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pregnant patients in the emergency department.
ACEP addresses the safety and efficacy of Tylenol (acetominophen) for pregnant patients in the ED. Read the full statement: https://t.co/vQEND1TqZa pic.twitter.com/5TNheXjqJ9
— Emergency Physicians (@EmergencyDocs) September 23, 2025
World health officials reject Trump’s claims that Tylenol is linked to autism
Health officials around the globe are rejecting President Trump’s assertion that pregnant women should avoid taking acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, during pregnancy because of unfounded links to autism.
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