Vance Urges Pregnant Women to Consult Doctors on Tylenol After Trump Autism Claim

A day after Donald Trump linked acetaminophen use by pregnant women to autism and urged that Tylenol be avoided, Vice President JD Vance told News Nation that pregnant women should lean on their doctors and discuss potential risks before taking the common pain reliever. He said medications do have side effects and that, in some cases, the benefits outweigh the risks, but that guidance should come from medical professionals rather than political pronouncements.

Vance described a personal example in which his children fell ill and he considered giving them Tylenol, only to be advised by a doctor to avoid it because the side effects were not worth the potential benefit in that particular case. “Maybe if you’re talking about a case of very high fever, of course you’re going to have to take something to deal with that,” he said. He also framed his stance as aligned with the broader science-based arguments promoted by the CDC and by Bobby Kennedy Jr., emphasizing that medications can have effects that must be weighed against their benefits and that science should guide decisions wherever it leads. “The fundamental argument that the CDC is making, that Bobby Kennedy is making, is that these drugs do have side effects and we’ve got to follow the science wherever it leads,” Vance said. He added that being mindful of drug side effects is a prudent posture for everyone and that, ultimately, pregnant women should follow their doctors’ advice. He also noted that Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who leads the Senate HELP Committee, pushed back on Trump’s autism claim, writing on X that “the preponderance of evidence shows that this is not the case.” Vance replied that Cassidy should supply more evidence and science, and that he is “absolutely on board” with gathering more data.

Vance’s comments come as a broader national conversation unfolds about Tylenol use during pregnancy, with other public figures offering mixed messages. Two days prior, Dr. Mehmet Oz spoke with TMZ about fever management for pregnant women, suggesting that those with high temperatures should consider taking Tylenol, while reserving judgment about lower-grade fevers or mild pain. On Tuesday, CMS Administrator Dr. Oz reiterated a conditional stance, saying pregnant women should “take [Tylenol] when it’s appropriate,” and noting that if a patient has a high fever, a physician is likely to prescribe something in addition to or instead of Tylenol. He cautioned that the science remains not fully conclusive and that low-grade fevers or minor aches may not justify routine Tylenol use.

Trump, at a White House event, pressed the point further, saying that pregnant women should “almost never take Tylenol” and urging speed in issuing recommendations. Kennedy Jr. appeared alongside Trump but was less definitive in telling pregnant women not to take the drug. The White House said that Trump’s comments were not out of line with his broader pronouncements on the subject, while HHS and CMS did not respond to a Daily Mail request for comment about Oz’s statements. The administration’s posture reflects a tension between quick public-health guidance and a cautious, evidence-driven approach that some officials say should guide policy.

Meanwhile, acetaminophen has long been the standard pain reliever for pregnant women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has historically noted its safety when used as directed, underscoring that medical context and professional guidance are essential when evaluating any medication during pregnancy. The evolving discussion mirrors a broader public interest in how best to balance effective treatment of fever and pain with potential long-term effects on fetal development, a topic that researchers and clinicians have studied for years.

As the political and medical communities navigate competing narratives, experts emphasize that decisions about acetaminophen in pregnancy should rest on individualized medical advice rather than sweeping bans or endorsements. The latest comments from Vance, Oz, and Trump illustrate the partisan and professional debates that can shape public understanding of a widely used medication, even as health authorities reiterate the importance of consulting health care professionals for personalized guidance.

Health policymakers and clinicians alike say the central message remains unchanged: if a pregnant person has a high fever or significant pain, a physician may determine that acetaminophen is appropriate, while monitoring for risks and weighing alternatives. As new data emerge, doctors emphasize following science and tailoring recommendations to each patient’s circumstances, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all directive to Tylenol use during pregnancy.