President Donald Trump, in a surprising announcement at a recent press conference, has alerted the nation to the potential risks of acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, by associating its use with autism. The event, which had been hinted at by Resist the Mainstream earlier on Monday, represents a significant federal stance on the issue.
At the press conference, Trump instructed that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will immediately disseminate guidance to healthcare providers, prompting them to advise pregnant women to avoid acetaminophen unless it is medically indispensable, particularly in cases of "extremely high fever." Trump emphasized the duty of pregnant women to endure pain rather than immediately resort to Tylenol, urging them to "fight like hell not to take it," except under severe medical justifications. He extended this caution to parents, advising against giving acetaminophen to children.
The president was joined by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an outspoken critic of certain public health practices. Both Trump and Kennedy addressed what they described as the escalating threat of autism in the United States. Trump criticized the current vaccine schedule in America as "disgraceful," contradicting health officials' repeated assurances that vaccines do not cause autism.
The administration revealed data from a federal review led by the health secretary, which pointed to a 400 percent surge in autism cases over past decades. Trump labeled the rise as "one of the most alarming medical crises in history," suggesting that environmental factors like acetaminophen consumption could be contributing to the increase.
Amid these claims, the manufacturer of Tylenol, Kenvue, has staunchly repudiated the administration's assertions. In a report by The Daily Mail, the company branded the accusations as "dangerous" and stood by the safety of acetaminophen for pregnant women when used as recommended.
In addition to these guidelines, Trump commended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for stopping its endorsement of the combined measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and varicella vaccine. He advocated for administering the MMR vaccine in three separate injections, suggesting that combined vaccines could pose risks, while reaffirming his overall support for vaccinations.
Kennedy spotlighted a new treatment for autism, leucovorin, a derivative of folic acid, which costs about $2.50 per pill. Some physicians report notable improvements in autistic children treated with leucovorin, although the evidence remains inconclusive. The FDA's Commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, confirmed plans to approve leucovorin for children with autism, with expectations that government-subsidized insurance and likely private insurers will cover the treatment.
Trump hailed the day's announcements as a milestone, acknowledging that while not everything about autism is understood, significant progress has been made. He reiterated the claim that communities like the Amish, who typically do not vaccinate or use modern medicines, do not experience autism.
The president's statements, particularly those shared on social media by Secretary Kennedy and Alex Jones, have sparked a mix of support, skepticism, and outright opposition, igniting a renewed conversation on the relationship between public health practices and autism.
