Trump set to link paracetamol use in pregnant women to autism after president teases ‘answer’ to disorder
Trump officials are also expected to announce plans to discover how leucovorin, a drug used to support chemotherapy treatment, could potentially treat autism.
Donald Trump is set to link the use of paracetamol in pregnant women to an increased risk of autism in their children, contrary to medical guidelines.
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Speaking at a memorial service for MAGA activist Charlie Kirk on Sunday, the US president said his administration had an ‘answer’ to autism, teasing a “very important announcement”.
This announcement is expected to see Trump officials, including health secretary and vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr, tie pregnant women using popular painkiller Tylenol, known elsewhere as paracetamol, to autism.
Trump officials are also expected to announce plans to discover how leucovorin, a drug used to support chemotherapy treatment, could potentially treat autism, according to the Washington Post.
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Medical guidelines currently say it is safe for pregnant women to take Tylenol.
The active ingredient in the over-the-counter painkiller is known as acetaminophen in the US, and paracetamol in other countries.
It is one of the most popular and commonly used pain medications in the world. The NHS website says paracetamol is the “first choice of painkiller” for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Trump teased the announcement on Sunday during a memorial service for conservative activist and ally Charlie Kirk, who died after being shot in the neck at a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, drew tens of thousands of mourners, including vice president JD Vance, other senior administration officials and young conservatives shaped by the 31-year-old firebrand.
He told the crowd of thousands of mourners: “Tomorrow we’re going to have one of the biggest announcement[s] … medically, I think, in the history of our country.
“I think you’re going to find it to be amazing. I think we found an answer to autism.”
He previously called the announcement “one of the most important things that we will do".
The White House also commended the Trump administration’s initiatives on autism on Sunday.
“President Trump pledged to address America’s rising rate of autism, and to do so with Gold Standard Science,” White House deputy press secretary Kush Desai said in a statement.
“Tomorrow’s announcement will make historic progress on both commitments.”
Senior executives at Kenvue, which makes Tylenol, have reportedly been lobbying RFJ Jr in recent weeks to not cite the drug by name in the announcement.
The health secretary, who was a controversial appointment by Trump due to his well-known anti-vaxx views and lack of medical experience, has made autism a major focus of his “Make America Healthy Again” policies.
Who is Robert F Kennedy?
How old is Robert F Kennedy? 71 (born January 17, 1954)
What does Robert F Kennedy do?
Kennedy is currently the US Secretary of Health and Human Services, advising President Trump on the health and welfare of Americans. He has taken an interest in the quality of food, and is critical of some vaccines.
Who is Robert F Kennedy related to?
Kennedy is the son of Democratic Senator Robert F Kennedy, and nephew of President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacky Kennedy.
Has RFK been diagnosed with anything?
Kennedy has been diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia. This rare neurological disorder causes his shaky and hoarse voice.
What did RFK say about brain worms?
In 2010, Kennedy suffered memory loss and brain fog due to a parasitic worm which, he said, “got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died.” Despite this, he is reportedly in good health.
Which party does RFK belong to?
In the course of his 2024 bid for the presidency, Kennedy switched party allegiance three times.. He initially contested the Democratic primaries, before dropping out to run with the “No Labels” party. He polled around 16 per cent at his peak, but as this number fell, he dropped out of the race to support Donald Trump.
“We’ve launched a massive testing and research effort that’s going to involve hundreds of scientists from around the world,” Kennedy told the Cabinet at a televised meeting earlier this year.
“By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic, and we’ll be able to eliminate those exposures.”
His focus on the disorder has raised concerns among researchers, according to the Post, as experts say such research in an accurate way usually takes a long time.
The announcement could also have an effect on the pharmaceutical industry and the political arena, as Trump officials have been linked with issuing controversial statements on the condition in the past, as well as spreading misinformation.
Most notably is the theory, which isn't supported by any scientific evidence and has been debunked by several studies, that Covid-19 vaccines are linked to the prevalence of autism.