Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voiced his concerns during a Cabinet meeting about what he calls “Trump derangement syndrome,” describing it as a concerning trend in society. Recently, pregnant women have begun protesting President Donald Trump by taking Tylenol, despite warnings that the medication might be linked to autism. Kennedy remarked, “The level of Trump derangement syndrome has now left political landscapes, and it is now a pathology.” He expressed alarm that any mother would prioritize political protest over the well-being of her unborn child, stating, “That a mother could overwhelm millions of years of maternal instinct to put her baby at risk” is indeed troubling.
Kennedy shared his astonishment at seeing a pregnant medical professor ingesting Tylenol on TikTok during these protests. He questioned the motivations behind such actions, saying, “Any mother who is taking this up during pregnancy just to get back into Donald Trump is doing something that is, it is pathological.” Kennedy highlighted current concerns surrounding autism diagnoses and indicated that the over-the-counter pain reliever might pose more risk than previously considered.
In a discussion on the subject, Trump mentioned that Tylenol, when taken during pregnancy, “can be associated with a very increased risk of autism.” He and Kennedy have been discussing increasing autism rates for over two decades, and the data is alarming. Kennedy pointed to a stark rise in autism diagnoses, noting that in the 1970s, approximately one in 20,000 eight-year-olds were diagnosed with autism in Wisconsin. Today, that rate has escalated to one in 12 boys and one in 18 to 19 girls nationwide. This dramatic increase has led Kennedy to label the autism crisis as “a national security issue.”
Kennedy also criticized federal health agencies for their focus on “politically safe and entirely fruitless research” regarding autism. He drew a parallel between studying autism and lung cancer, arguing that it is illogical to focus solely on genetic factors while ignoring potential environmental triggers. “That would be like studying the genetic drivers of lung cancer without looking at cigarettes,” he asserted. This critique has raised questions about how the National Institutes of Health and other health agencies prioritize their research agendas.
In response to the increased scrutiny of Tylenol, Kenvue, the manufacturer of the medication, disagreed with the grim assessments coming from the administration. A spokesperson stated, “We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism.” Kenvue voiced deep concern over the impact that public statements might have on the health of expecting mothers.
Following Trump’s remarks, videos of liberal pregnant women consuming Tylenol as a form of protest surfaced on platforms like X and TikTok. Critics of this trend have lambasted the actions as reckless, with Kennedy commenting, “It is so suggestive that anybody who takes this stuff during pregnancy, unless they have to, is irresponsible.” He urged caution, especially since this medication is commonly used and may be taken without awareness of its potential risks.
Further emphasizing the need for research, Kennedy pointed to studies suggesting that there might be a correlation between early circumcision of male babies and autism rates. “There are two studies that show children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism,” he clarified, linking this to the use of Tylenol during the procedure.
Trump echoed Kennedy’s sentiments, noting, “There’s a tremendous amount of proof” regarding the claims linking Tylenol to autism. He described the situation as one he has been concerned about for years, even before taking office. “I met Bobby in my office 20 years ago. We were talking about the same thing 20 years ago,” he recalled. The alarming statistics surrounding autism have compelled both Trump and Kennedy to call for a shift in research priorities and a reevaluation of the medications commonly used by pregnant women.
As the discussions around Tylenol and autism continue, the stakes escalate. American families are left to navigate their health choices influenced by political dynamics, and the implications of these debates may resonate deeply within communities as they seek to ensure the well-being of future generations.
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