Full Story Paracetamol and Donald Trump’s medical myths
Sep 28, 2025
In this episode, science correspondent Hannah Devlin tackles the alarming claims made by Donald Trump linking paracetamol to autism. With her expertise, she explains the dangers of misinformation, highlighting how such narratives can erode public trust in medical advice. Hannah discusses the limited evidence surrounding paracetamol's effects during pregnancy and emphasizes the need for factual communication. She also reflects on the broader implications of medical misinformation and the challenges journalists face in countering emotional narratives.
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Authority Amplifies Misinformation
- Misinformation is more damaging when it comes from establishment figures because it erodes trust in experts.
- Hannah Devlin warns that a leader saying something contrary to doctors confuses where people should turn for advice.
Association ≠ Causation
- Claims linking paracetamol to autism arose amid observational studies, not randomized trials.
- Devlin says those studies show tiny associations that disappear after careful sibling and confounder analyses.
Pattern Of Politicizing Science
- The Trump administration previously promoted unproven COVID treatments and dismissed public health advice.
- Devlin links that pattern to a broader tendency to let political goals override scientific guidance.