Donald Trump Is Lying About Paracetamol (Tylenol) To Create Fear

A persistent and alarming claim has circulated in recent years, notably promoted by public figures like Donald Trump, that suggests a link between the common painkiller paracetamol (known as Tylenol in the US) and autism. This assertion is not only incorrect but is a dangerous misinformation tactic, designed to create public fear where none is warranted by science.

Let’s be unequivocally clear: There is no reliable scientific evidence that paracetamol causes autism. Promoting this falsehood is a classic strategy of using fear to manipulate public opinion and undermine trust in established medicine.

To understand why this claim falls apart, we need to look at the facts, the timeline, and what rigorous scientific studies actually tell us.

The Flawed Premise: A Lesson in Chronology

A simple look at the history exposes a fundamental flaw in the argument.

• Autism was first described by psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, and its classic characteristics were later detailed by Leo Kanner in 1943. This means the condition was identified and being studied by medical science decades before paracetamol was widely available.
• Paracetamol was first approved for medical use in Britain in 1956 and became widely available over the counter in the 1960s.

If paracetamol were a primary cause of autism, we would expect to see a dramatic explosion in autism diagnoses immediately after its introduction. This did not happen. The significant increase in diagnoses began much later, a trend experts attribute overwhelmingly to broadened diagnostic criteria, greater awareness, and improved screening—not the introduction of a medication.

What Does the Actual Science Say?

The claim often points to a specific type of study that looks at a potential correlation between prenatal paracetamol use and a slightly increased statistical risk of a child later receiving an autism diagnosis. It is crucial to understand what these studies can and cannot prove.

1. Correlation is Not Causation: This is the most critical principle. These studies observe a statistical link, but they cannot prove that paracetamol caused the autism. The link could be explained by other factors, known as “confounders.” For example:
   • The reason the mother was taking paracetamol—such as a high fever, a severe infection, or chronic inflammation—could itself influence fetal brain development.
   • Genetic or environmental factors common to both the condition requiring pain relief and neurodevelopment could be the true cause.
2. Inconsistent and Weak Findings: The results of these studies are not consistent. Some show a small statistical increase in risk, while others show no link at all. When a potential link is found, the increased risk is extremely small, and the studies themselves often caution that their findings are preliminary and not proof of causation.
3. The Overwhelming Weight of Evidence: Major health bodies worldwide, including the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have thoroughly reviewed the evidence. Their consensus is clear: there is no proven causal link, and paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief and fever-reducer for pregnant women when needed. This is important because an untreated high fever can pose a far greater, proven risk to a developing baby.

The Real Agenda: Fear as a Tool for Control

Why would a public figure like Donald Trump promote such a baseless claim? The answer lies in the power of fear. By fabricating a threat from a trusted, everyday medicine, he creates a climate of anxiety and suspicion. This tactic serves several purposes:

• It Positions the Fear-Monger as a Protector: By inventing a danger, the figure can then present themselves as the only one brave enough to talk about it and willing to “protect” the public from it.
• It Undermines Trust in Institutions: Attacks on mainstream medicine and scientific bodies erode public confidence in experts and institutions. When people no longer trust their doctors or national health services, they become more reliant on the figure peddling the conspiracy.
• It Diverts Attention: This myth shifts the public focus away from credible, evidence-based research into the complex genetic and environmental factors that contribute to autism, and away from more pressing health issues.

Trust Science, Not Scaremongering

The timeline alone debunks the idea that paracetamol created autism. The body of rigorous, scientific evidence confirms that no such causal link exists. This claim is not a scientific argument; it is a fear-based political tactic.

When it comes to health decisions, especially during pregnancy, it is essential to rely on the guidance of healthcare professionals and reputable health organisations. We must reject baseless claims designed to frighten and manipulate us and instead base our choices on evidence and reason.

Sources for Further Reading:

• NHS UK: Information on paracetamol use in pregnancy.
• National Autistic Society (UK): Information on the causes of autism.
• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).