Trump's autism remarks energize MAHA movement, widening vaccine debate

President Donald Trump’s statements Monday that acetaminophen use during pregnancy and certain vaccination timelines may contribute to autism drew swift reaction and energized the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement—a diverse coalition that includes supporters of health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., anti-vaccine activists and others who distrust the U.S. health care system.

During a news conference, Trump claimed that pregnant women using acetaminophen, the painkiller known by the brand name Tylenol, have contributed to the rise in autism cases in recent years. He also suggested that parents should delay or avoid vaccines. Medical experts say the evidence for a direct link is inconclusive, with many studies showing mixed results and researchers noting that improved diagnosis and broader definitions now include more mild cases. The FDA and independent researchers say acetaminophen is the only over-the-counter drug approved to treat fever during pregnancy, and that untreated fevers carry risks. The Coalition of Autism Scientists said acetaminophen use during pregnancy hadn’t increased in recent decades even as autism rates rose.

The remarks landed as Kennedy’s followers and MAHA allies welcomed what they described as a watershed moment. Del Bigtree, Kennedy’s former communications director and founder of the Informed Consent Action Network, said the comments could be a turning point for a movement that has long contended vaccines and pharmaceutical products warrant greater scrutiny. “I think that for the ‘MAHA’ movement, this is like the dark clouds have finally parted and a single ray of sunshine is shining down,” he said in an interview. Tony Lyons, MAHA Action president, said on Steve Bannon’s show that Trump should be known as the “MAHA president.”

Kennedy and his allies were not alone in welcoming the remarks. Some lawmakers on the right praised the president for addressing concerns that have lingered for years. Rep. Diana Harshbarger of Tennessee, vice chair of a House subcommittee on health, wrote on X that Trump and Kennedy’s move represented “real action” on autism and offered a contrast to what she described as past inaction. Others urged caution. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician who has pressed Kennedy on vaccines, asked the administration to release new data to support the claim that acetaminophen or certain vaccination schedules are linked to autism, warning that pregnant women could lose options to manage pain. State officials also weighed in with measured responses. In Tennessee, Sen. Richard Briggs, a cardiothoracic surgeon, urged people to discuss acetaminophen and vaccinations with their physicians and expressed concern about the broader political implications. North Dakota Sen. Judy Lee, who worked for a decade in chemical analysis in hospital clinics, said she was “extremely disappointed” by a pronouncement she viewed as lacking scientific basis and cautioned that the president’s statements could undermine public trust in health guidance.

The moment underscores a long-running political dynamic in U.S. public health debates. MAHA’s ranks include Kennedy supporters who have argued for a broader skepticism of vaccines and pharmaceutical regulation, alongside groups historically distrustful of the medical establishment. For many in the coalition, the president’s comments validated long-held concerns and offered a new pathway to influence Republican voters who may be receptive to questions about vaccine safety and drug policy. Yet the remarks also risk widening a political fault line between those who emphasize individual choice and those who prioritize population health protections.

Medical professionals and scientists quickly sought to temper the statements with caution. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tracked declines in routine childhood vaccination rates in recent years, though the overall trend varies by region and by vaccine. In the broader discussion, experts emphasized that vaccines have undergone extensive study and safety monitoring, and that the current evidence does not support a simple causal link between vaccines or acetaminophen exposure and autism. They cautioned that public health guidance must be grounded in robust data to avoid unintended consequences, such as increased vulnerability to preventable diseases or unmanaged pain in pregnancy.

Observers noted Trump’s use of anecdotes and emotionally charged storytelling, a tactic critics say can be persuasive to parents weighing decisions about their children's health. Josephine Lukito, a journalism and media professor at the University of Texas at Austin, described such narratives as powerful but not representative of scientific consensus. She noted that while personal stories can raise awareness, they do not substitute for rigorous research.

In the broader political landscape, the episode tests how Republican leaders balance support for a health policy posture that many of their base views as essential against the need to maintain the credibility of public health institutions. The administration’s approach to vaccines and pregnancy-related medications remains a flashpoint as lawmakers weigh how to respond to constituent concerns while avoiding guidance that could undermine disease prevention efforts. As the country continues to navigate debates over vaccine safety, drug policy and the role of federal health agencies, how this moment shapes upcoming elections and health policy debates remains to be seen.