Pregnant moms post Tylenol videos to defy Trump autism claim

A viral trend on social media has emerged as pregnant women post videos of themselves taking Tylenol in what they describe as a protest against President Donald Trump’s assertion that the painkiller could cause autism in children. The surge of clips comes as national conversations intensify about the safety of acetaminophen during pregnancy, even as medical guidance remains nuanced and debated among experts.

Trump, 79, has contended that doctors in the United States will begin advising expectant mothers against taking Tylenol because of an apparent link to autism. He urged pregnant women to “fight like hell” to avoid the medication, except in cases of extreme fever. The White House has framed the discussion as part of a broader emphasis on listening to science and expert medical guidance, though no universal prohibition on acetaminophen use has been issued by federal health agencies at this time.

Health Secretary RFK Jr. said the guidance against using Tylenol is part of a new strategy aimed at informing doctors and families about potential risks associated with the drug during pregnancy. In a White House statement, he said, “We will follow the science, restore trust, and deliver hope to millions of American families.” The administration highlighted the push as a way to ensure clinicians discuss potential risks with patients, even as many physicians emphasize weighing risks of fever against uncertain associations with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Calley Means, an advisor to RFK Jr., amplified the trend on social media by sharing several videos of mothers participating, adding, “No words.” He cited the participants as part of a broader democratic debate about medical guidance and population health. In one post, a mother-to-be named Natalie wrote on TikTok that she would take Tylenol for a headache during pregnancy not to take medical advice from a person she described as lacking relevant scientific credentials, and that she would instead trust her doctors.

The debate around acetaminophen for pregnant people is not new. Several studies have suggested a possible association between acetaminophen exposure in pregnancy and higher rates of autism spectrum disorders and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, researchers have not produced consistent findings, and many doctors continue to view Tylenol as a safe and sometimes necessary option to manage fever and pain during pregnancy. Medical organizations in some countries still advise that Tylenol can be used when fever is present or pain is significant, as untreated high fever can pose risks to both mother and fetus.

The conversation has international resonance. In the United Kingdom, 36-year-old Amy, who is 36 weeks pregnant with her second child, posted a video showing her taking paracetamol (the UK name for Tylenol) while joking about her husband trying to stop her. Amy, whose six-year-old son is autistic, told the Daily Mail that she does not believe Tylenol causes autism and noted that NHS guidance still regards paracetamol as a safe option during pregnancy. She added that supporters of Trump’s claims have offered no scientific evidence to back up their assertions and argued that autism is genetic rather than caused by a single factor.

Experts singled out the influence of social media on health decisions. Dr. Randa Jaafar, a pain-management specialist, told the Daily Mail that patients increasingly cite information from platforms like TikTok when discussing treatment options. She said the trend could help reinforce the message that people should not feel guilty for using Tylenol when medically appropriate, even as she criticized fear-based messaging in some political rhetoric. Jaafar argued that suffering from fever and related distress can be more harmful to a fetus than moderate Tylenol use in many cases, though she emphasized the importance of medical guidance tailored to individual situations.

The current discourse highlights the tension between emerging public-health messaging and ongoing clinical guidance. While officials push for greater awareness of potential risks, they also acknowledge that high fevers and other pregnancy complications can carry real dangers. Medical professionals urge expectant mothers to discuss any concerns with their health care providers, rather than relying solely on social-media trends or political rhetoric. As the conversation continues, researchers and clinicians say more robust, conclusive evidence is needed to clarify any links between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes, while ensuring that fever and pain are managed effectively to protect maternal and fetal health.