BONUS POD: Trump and RFK Jr: Acetaminophen may be Associated w Increased Risk of Autism

Sep 23, 2025

Donald Trump, former U.S. President, discusses a significant announcement regarding autism and public health alongside RFK Jr., a prominent public health advocate. They raise concerns about acetaminophen use during pregnancy and its potential link to rising autism rates, urging caution. Trump proposes new FDA warnings and stresses the need for reevaluating vaccine schedules. RFK Jr. advocates for more research into environmental and pharmaceutical factors affecting autism, highlighting the importance of comprehensive studies beyond genetic causes.

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INSIGHT

Policy Steps And Uncertainties

The administration plans a public education campaign and updated FDA labeling about acetaminophen risks in pregnancy.
They acknowledge conflicting studies and warn about the risk of untreated fever if the drug is avoided.

INSIGHT

Autism Data Science Investment

The NIH will fund 13 projects under the Autism Data Science Initiative with over $50 million in grants.
Projects will use large-scale biological, clinical, environmental, and behavioral data and include community engagement.

INSIGHT

Framing The Autism Surge

Autism diagnoses have risen dramatically in recent decades, which Trump described as an 'artificial' increase.
He suggested environmental factors, medications, and vaccines may explain the surge beyond genetics.

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Setting: President Trump held a press conference after attending Charlie Kirk’s funeral, teasing it as a “major announcement” on autism and public health.
Main Claim: Trump and RFK Jr. asserted that acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of autism in children. Trump directly warned against taking Tylenol while pregnant, except in extreme cases of high fever.
Autism Statistics (as presented by Trump):
- Historical rates cited: 1 in 20,000 → 1 in 10,000 → 1 in 31 overall today, and as high as 1 in 12 among boys in some regions (e.g., California).
- He described this increase as “artificial” and linked it to medication and vaccines.
Specific Policy Steps Announced:
- FDA to issue warnings and update labeling for acetaminophen, cautioning its use during pregnancy.
- NIH, FDA, CDC, and CMS to coordinate a new effort investigating potential environmental, pharmaceutical, and vaccine links to autism.
- New grant funding (13 awards) through NIH’s Autism Data Science Initiatives.
Other Health Proposals Trump Raised:
- Vaccines: suggested spacing them out, avoiding certain ingredients (mercury, aluminum), giving MMR separately, and delaying hepatitis B vaccination until age 12.
- Treatment: referenced new findings suggesting folate deficiency in children may contribute to autism, with therapies under research.
RFK Jr.’s Role:
- He emphasized that past autism research was too focused on genetics and ignored environmental/toxic exposures.
- Supported Trump’s push to investigate acetaminophen, vaccines, and other potential causes.
- Announced NIH/FDA would pursue depoliticized research, new label warnings, and public education campaigns.

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