For years, doctors have instructed pregnant people to take Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen, because it is one of the only painkillers that is not harmful to a fetus. That was until President Trump, alongside Secretary Kennedy Jr., called it the root cause of the “autism epidemic” in a press conference this fall.
The two described autism as if it were an infectious disease that ruins the lives of anyone who catches it. They made Tylenol seem like an evil drug that is plaguing the nation, and they did it all because sensationalism drags a crowd.
If they had presented it as a hypothesis rather than a conclusion, it would be justifiable. Instead, they took a claim that did not have enough proof and used it to manipulate Trump’s supporters.
Trump knows his audience. He knows that some of them are against things like vaccinations, and he knows that many of the supporters don’t spend time researching internet theories, and they will believe whatever he says.
He also knows that a sensational story, like the sudden discovery that a “safe” drug causes autism, will garner attention all across the political spectrum. And that it did, so much so that I, a left-leaning individual, am still talking about it months later.
It is especially serious because of the fear this claim causes. People are afraid of harming their children, which is a valid concern. Trump used that fear to make his supporters think he was saving America’s children from harm.
I have always valued understanding both sides of an argument. I will have constructive conversations with people who disagree with my political viewpoints because they are simply opinions. Opinions cannot be correct or incorrect.
However, I have a hard time doing that when opinions go against scientific facts. Even if there is a link between acetaminophen and autism, it is clear that there was not enough research put into the claims before they were made public.
There is extensive research that backs up the claim that acetaminophen is safe. It is one of the only over-the-counter painkillers that is not associated with significant risks to a developing fetus.
Because of this, it is recommended over other painkillers like ibuprofen, which can interfere with fetal circulation, or aspirin, which can increase bleeding risks. Acetaminophen is the safest at-home treatment for pain and fever during pregnancy. This consensus is based on decades of use and extensive epidemiological studies. This was the established medical advice until Trump made his claim.
A little over a month after the original press conference, Trump and his team put out another announcement. They rescinded their previous claims.
“It is not sufficient to say it definitely causes autism, but it is very suggestive,” Kennedy said.
This second press conference did not receive nearly as much attention as the first. This is because it was not as sensational. From how I see it, the Trump administration thrives most when the entire country has eyes on them.
Trump wants people to directly see everything he is doing during his time in office, and he wants people to turn a blind eye when he makes a mistake. He wants to be seen as the hero in any situation, even if that requires fabricating a threat to save people from.
The way autism is portrayed in these press conferences is harmful. Autism is not contagious. Autism does not ruin people's lives. People with autism do not function incorrectly; they function differently.
Treating autism like an infectious disease isolates and belittles those who have it. Trump and Kennedy demonized not only a form of neurodivergence but a large group of people.
Throughout the first press conference, Trump referenced the fact that the number of autism diagnoses is going up. He claimed that this means more people have autism, which at first glance would make sense.
However, if you look at the way the culture surrounding disabilities has changed since the 1950s, which is when the data he mentions begins, you would see that it has become much less taboo to get diagnosed.
Fewer people view autism as a death sentence, and more people understand that getting a diagnosis can help someone.
A diagnosis can change people of all ages' lives. Students who are affected by their autism can get accommodations to help them succeed in school, and employers can support their staff better if they know about something like an autism diagnosis.
While being skeptical about what you put in your body is a good thing, something like Tylenol is not going to ruin your health. In the same vein, neurological differences are not going to ruin someone’s life.
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