Claims made by Donald Trump last September suggesting a link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism have been firmly rejected by new research published in The Lancet.
At a campaign appearance in September 2025, President Trump told supporters that countries with limited access to Tylenol had “virtually no autism,” adding:
“Don’t take it. There’s no downside in not taking it.”
The remarks sparked widespread concern among pregnant women and sharp criticism from medical professionals.
Speaking on The Anton Savage Show, Dr Brendan O’Shea, adjunct professor of public health and primary care at Trinity College Dublin, said the findings were definitive.
“In short order, the answer is no,” he said.
“None of this stands up. It didn’t stand up on September the 22nd, and it doesn’t stand up now.”
The Lancet study, led by Professor Asma Khalil of St George’s, University of London, pooled data from 43 studies and found no causal link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism.
Dr O’Shea described the original claims as political rather than scientific.
“This is not a health story, this is a political story,” he said.
“It’s shameless manipulation of information. Blackly cynical.”
He suggested the timing of the remarks was deliberate.
“On September the 22nd, Trump and RF Kennedy made these statements."
"On September the 23rd, Trump addressed the United Nations and made scurrilous commentary on climate change and immigration,” he said.
“This was distraction politics.”
President Donald Trump gives his inaugural address during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)According to Dr O’Shea, the damage was immediate.
“Women who are pregnant are always looking to do the very best for their children,” he said.
“This caused huge levels of uncertainty and distress around an important medication.”
He warned that misinformation around healthcare often has lasting effects.
“Even if we say there is no truth in it, fear remains,” he said, pointing to declining vaccination rates in the US.
“Arguably, it’s killing people.”
Dr O’Shea stressed that paracetamol remains a key medication during pregnancy.
“We use it every week,” he said.
“It’s particularly important for treating high temperatures, which can be associated with severe complications including premature labor.”
His advice to pregnant women was clear.
“You should have paracetamol in your medicine cabinet throughout your pregnancy,” he said.
“Treat high temperatures, manage pain, and if symptoms aren’t manageable, talk to your GP.”
“The Lancet is one of the most respected medical journals in the world,” he added.
“This is the appliance of science, and it matters.”
