Debunking Trump's Autism Claims: A Fact-Check on Tylenol and Vaccines

Tue Sep 23 2025 21:46:49 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

An analysis of President Trump's recent assertions linking Tylenol use to autism and his comments on the MMR vaccine during a presidential event, including responses from health experts and factual clarifications.

This article reviews claims made by President Trump regarding the connection between the painkiller Tylenol and rising autism diagnoses, as well as his statements on the MMR vaccine. Health experts refute Trump's assertions, highlighting a lack of supporting evidence and emphasizing the importance of vaccines for public health.

US President Donald Trump has attracted condemnation from health experts following claims that the widely used painkiller Tylenol is linked to autism. During a news conference, Trump, accompanied by Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, suggested that doctors might be advised against recommending Tylenol to pregnant women. The claims have been criticized as 'dangerous' and lacking scientific backing by various health organizations.

During the event, Trump claimed that autism diagnoses in the US have rapidly increased, stating the incidence rose from 'one in 10,000' approximately 18 years ago to 'one in 31' by 2025. While the latter statistic is accurate according to CDC data from 2022, the historical figures cited by Trump are misleading. In fact, the rise in reported autism cases has largely been attributed to changes in diagnostic criteria and increased awareness rather than a true increase in prevalence.

Trump further suggested that autism rates were more severe in California, a claim backed by CDC findings which indicate that about '1 in 12 eight-year-old boys' in California have autism. However, this is partly due to local initiatives aimed at improving early autism detection.

Another controversial claim involved the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Trump advocated for administering the vaccines separately instead of as a combined shot, warning that combining them could pose risks. Experts stress that his comments could undermine vaccination efforts and lead to the resurgence of diseases like measles.

The narrative linking vaccines to autism was popularized by a now-retracted study from 1998, yet continual research and comprehensive studies have debunked any association between the MMR vaccine and autism.

Trump also cited the Amish community as having 'virtually no autism,' suggesting it was due to lower Tylenol usage. This claim lacks substantial evidence, as there have been very few studies on autism prevalence among Amish children, and professionals believe it is improbable that there are no autistic individuals within these communities.

With a history of expressing concern about rising autism diagnoses, Trump has linked vaccine skepticism and autism awareness for nearly two decades, drawing criticism for reviving discredited claims during his presidency.