Brittany Cartwright faces backlash over Trump's autism claims

Reality television figure Brittany Cartwright is drawing online backlash after labeling President Donald Trump’s controversial autism claims as misinformation, spurred by Trump’s assertion that Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be linked to autism. Cartwright, who appears on The Valley and Vanderpump Rules, has a personal stake in the topic: her son Cruz is autistic and nonverbal. The Kentucky native shared her reaction after Trump’s remarks at a press conference, saying Tylenol should be avoided during pregnancy unless medically necessary and that parents should resist giving it to children unless no alternative exists.

Cartwright, 36, wrote on Instagram that autism “was recorded before Tylenol was ever invented,” and added that there are children on the spectrum who never had vaccines or whose mothers did not take Tylenol while pregnant. She also noted that the term “virtually” is used in studies because autism remains present in some communities. “The word ‘virtually’ is used many times here because there are obviously still cases of autism in those communities as well,” she wrote. “I am thankful autism is being looked into and hopefully someday we can learn more, but our children are wonderful and deserve better than misinformation by our own government.”

The endorsement-and-critique cycle followed a split in the online responses. Some followers expressed support for Cartwright’s stance, including Vanderpump Rules alum Stassi Schroeder. But many others criticized her for amplifying an unverified claim, arguing that Trump’s comments referenced a study—credited by some to Harvard—that suggested a possible association between acetaminophen exposure and autism risk. “It was a study released by Harvard, Brittany,” wrote one commenter who referenced the research. “Are we pretending that research is bad and it's not okay for scientists to discover new things?” others questioned whether Cartwright had engaged with the full study or the broader scientific consensus.

This is not Cartwright’s first public confrontation with Trump-era figures. In April, she criticized Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over sweeping generalizations about people on the autism spectrum on her When Reality Hits podcast. Kennedy had proposed new directives to investigate environmental exposures that he contended could be linked to rising autism diagnoses, and his remarks provoked advocacy groups to voice concern over how autistic people are portrayed. Cartwright, whose son Cruz relies on supportive therapies, said the remarks painted people with autism in a negative light. “He said that autism destroys families,” she said at the time, calling the broad characterizations upsetting and misleading. “That is not everybody. It’s just kind of like rubbed me the wrong way a little bit.” She added that misinformation on a public platform is dangerous and underscored her belief in a more nuanced view of the spectrum.

Cartwright has been open about sharing her son’s diagnosis with close family and friends before speaking publicly. She said she told loved ones in writing how the diagnosis would shape their lives and that Cruz has “the potential to do big things.” In one interview with People, she described Cruz as a child who might be able to achieve remarkable milestones, and she asserted that his autism would not define his potential. “Yes, it might be challenging at times, but I couldn’t imagine my life being different,” she said.

Trump’s comments during a recent press conference, alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy, addressed concerns about autism and a controversial link to acetaminophen exposure in utero. Trump asserted that the FDA would immediately warn doctors to tell pregnant women to avoid Tylenol unless medically necessary, such as during high fever, adding that women should endure pain rather than take the medication as a precaution. He also urged parents not to give Tylenol to children unless necessary. While Trump cited a connection between acetaminophen use and autism, no credible evidence has established a causal link, and health researchers have long emphasized the complexity of autism and the limitations of single-cause explanations.

The broader context surrounding the debate includes shifts in how autism diagnoses are tracked and discussed in public discourse. Official estimates cited by supporters of Trump’s position have shown autism prevalence rising from about 1 in 150 children in 2000 to roughly 1 in 31 in recent years, a change researchers attribute largely to broader definitions and increased detection rather than a single environmental factor. Experts cited in the notes accompanying Cartwright’s coverage have emphasized that the rise in diagnoses is multifaceted and not solely attributable to exposure to any one substance, while some of Kennedy’s allies have proposed environmental exposures as potential contributors to rising rates.

For Cartwright, the personal dimension remains central. Her son Cruz’s diagnosis has shaped her public statements and advocacy, and she has repeatedly used her platform to challenge simplifications about autism that she says misrepresent the spectrum’s breadth. She has described Cruz as a bright, capable child who sees the world in vivid ways and who will face his own unique challenges and triumphs as he grows. In her view, public conversations about autism should center on inclusion, individualized support, and accurate information rather than sweeping characterizations that risk stigmatizing autistic people.

The episode underscores the ongoing tension between celebrity voices and scientific consensus in discussions of autism, a topic that sits at the intersection of entertainment, health, and public policy. Cartwright’s comments and the mixed reactions they provoked illustrate how fans and critics alike scrutinize what public figures say on sensitive topics, especially when those remarks touch on medical research and the well-being of families who live with autism every day. As researchers continue to study autism’s causes and presentations, and as public health officials aim to communicate clear guidance to pregnant individuals and parents, the discourse around Tylenol, vaccines, and autism is likely to remain a focal point in both entertainment and health conversations.