Trump's Controversial Claims on Autism Fact-Checked: Experts Respond

Tue Sep 30 2025 13:59:21 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Health experts respond to statements made by Donald Trump linking autism diagnoses to Tylenol use and vaccine protocols, citing a lack of reliable data and raising concerns about public health.

In a recent news conference, US President Donald Trump claimed a link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism rates while suggesting changes to vaccination protocols. Experts from health organizations criticize his assertions as misleading, emphasizing that rising autism rates can be attributed to better diagnosis and awareness rather than pharmaceutical use. Trump's statements have reignited debates around vaccination and autism, with significant pushback from medical professionals.

US President Donald Trump has attracted condemnation from health experts, after he sought to claim there was a link between the widely used painkiller Tylenol and autism.

Accompanied by his Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Trump said doctors would soon be advised not to recommend the drug - called paracetamol in some other countries, including the UK - to pregnant women.

The claims have been attacked by medical experts. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said the announcement was unsettling and not based on reliable data, while the UK's National Autism Society called Trump's statement dangerous, it's anti-science and it's irresponsible.

BBC Verify has looked at some of the allegations Trump and Kennedy made during their news conference at the White House.

Is Trump correct that US autism diagnoses are rising?

During the event, Trump stated that autism diagnoses in the US have risen rapidly over the past two decades, claiming a jump from about one in 10,000… probably 18 years ago to one in 31 by 2025. The final statistic is correct according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the rise is attributed to improved diagnostic criteria and awareness, not Tylenol usage.

Should the MMR vaccine be taken separately?

Another claim made by Trump involved the MMR vaccine. He suggested that the vaccines should be administered separately, claiming that combining them might contribute to autism. Experts worry that this misinformation risks the resurgence of preventable diseases. A 2019 Danish study followed a large population and found no evidence linking the MMR vaccine to autism, contradicting Trump's assertions.

Are autism rates lower among Amish people?

Trump also cited the Amish community as having virtually no autism cases, suggesting their low use of Tylenol as a potential reason. While there is limited research on this community's autism rates, experts caution against making unsupported claims about their health. Research shows a presence of autism exists among Amish children, although fewer studies have been conducted.

What has Trump said about autism previously?

Trump has spoken about rising autism rates for nearly two decades and has previously suggested a link to vaccines. While his administration supported vaccine campaigns during a measles outbreak, his current stance appears influenced by anti-vaccine advocates like Kennedy.