Slate News What Next: TBD | How Trump Got Obsessed with Autism
Sep 26, 2025
Dan Diamond, a White House reporter for The Washington Post, dives into the controversial announcement linking acetaminophen to autism. He discusses the public health community's shock and political backlash surrounding this unsupported claim. Diamond explains how Trump’s long-held beliefs and RFK Jr.'s influence play into this narrative. They also navigate the risks of misinformation and conflicting medical guidance, emphasizing the need for pregnant individuals to seek professional advice amid the chaos.
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Unprecedented White House Health Claim
- The White House announcement linked acetaminophen in pregnancy to autism despite weak evidence.
- Dan Diamond says this kind of public-health claim from the president is unprecedented and dangerous.
Association, Not Causation
- The administration relied on an August scoping review that found associations, not causation.
- Dan Diamond notes the paper flagged a pattern but did not confirm acetaminophen causes autism.
Fevers Could Explain The Link
- Fever during pregnancy is a plausible confounder for studies linking acetaminophen and autism.
- Diamond highlights that the underlying illness, not the drug, might explain associations.