Trump’s Groundbreaking Autism Announcement: Tylenol and Folate Deficiency in the Spotlight.
President Donald Trump is teasing what he calls “an amazing” announcement on autism, hinting it will spotlight the pain reliever Tylenol and the pregnancy vitamin folate. A forthcoming report from the Department of Health and Human Services, under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is expected to tie acetaminophen use during pregnancy and low folate levels to the rise in autism cases in children.
The Presidential Preview
While addressing the crowd at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump stirred intense curiosity for a televised Oval Office speech set for this Monday. He stated, “I think we found an answer to autism,” and promised to tell the nation exactly how the condition “happens, so we won’t let it happen anymore, and how to get at least somewhat better when you have it.” He described the upcoming announcement as “one of the most important” of his presidency, labeling it a medical breakthrough of historic proportions.
The upcoming Health and Human Services (HHS) announcement is expected to identify folinic acid—often called leucovorin—as a possible option for easing autism symptoms. This move follows a promise from HHS chief Robert Kennedy, who pledged back in April to trace the rising autism rates in the U.S. by the end of September.
What the Report Will Cover
The expected HHS report is likely to focus on two main themes:
Acetaminophen during Pregnancy: The commonly used painkiller—best known by its brand, Tylenol—will be cited as a possible environmental factor tied to autism.
Low Folate Levels: Insufficient folate, also known as Vitamin B9, during pregnancy will be included as a possible risk.
Currently, doctors already advise folate supplements for expectant mothers to lower the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. The report will go a step further by suggesting that folinic acid might help some preschoolers who already have an autism diagnosis.
The Ongoing Debate Over Tylenol and Autism
While research examining the link between acetaminophen and autism has spanned several years, experts have not reached a consensus. The scientific community is still split on whether the medication is an actual risk factor, raising questions that warrant caution and further investigation.
Research on Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy
Supporting Evidence
A recent review of 46 studies published in August in BMC Environmental Health found “strong evidence of an association” between taking acetaminophen while pregnant and certain developmental disorders, including autism. The review emphasized that it could show only a correlation, not a cause-and-effect link, so taking acetaminophen couldn’t be labeled as the actual cause of the observed outcomes.
Contradicting Evidence
A larger, 2024 Swedish study that included more than 2 million children, published in JAMA, reported no link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and a higher risk of autism, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities. Because the study included so many children, it adds substantial weight to the argument that acetaminophen might not be harmful when the medicine is used according to recommendations.
Medical Guidelines
Many major medical organizations still say acetaminophen is safe when used carefully during pregnancy. Dr. Christopher Zahn of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated that “no clear evidence” shows a direct link between its prudent use and developmental problems in the fetus. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine also commented that the evidence for a cause-and-effect link is still unclear, so they continue to recommend the drug for pain and fever when needed.
The Role of Folate and Folinic Acid
Folate is known for helping to prevent certain birth defects during pregnancy. Now scientists are also exploring folinic acid, also called leucovorin, to see if it might help kids who already have autism. Some early studies show that a small group of children with autism and certain body chemistry changes did better—improving in communication and understanding—after taking leucovorin. It’s important to point out that these studies are still at an early stage. Experts warn that since autism includes a wide range of symptoms and may involve over a hundred different genes, a one-size-fits-all solution is very unlikely.
Expert Reactions and Concerns
Many scientists are worried that the Trump administration’s statements are oversimplifying a very complex condition. Dr. Peter Hotez, a pediatrician who specializes in autism at Texas Children’s Hospital, said it may be risky to put so much focus on one factor, like Tylenol, at a press conference. He pointed out that genes, along with different environmental influences, work together to shape autism. To act as if there is one clear “smoking gun” ignores the complicated nature of the research and may mislead the public.
Kenvue, which makes Tylenol, is forcefully backing its product by saying, “More than ten years of strict research… shows there is no strong proof that acetaminophen is linked to autism.” The business also reminds us that, during pregnancy, women with a serious fever or pain would have to pick between staying sick or trying riskier pain relievers like NSAIDs, which aren’t always safe during pregnancy.
The Autism Science Foundation described the links the news often shares as “rushed by the existing science,” saying fresh studies would have to happen before advice that raises alarms is handed to families or parents are pushed to change how they care for a child that hasn’t even been born.
The rise in autism diagnoses in the United States provides a backdrop to this conversation. The CDC just stated that, by eight years old, close to one in 31 children has received an autism diagnosis, an increase from one in 36 just two years prior. Scientists like Dr. Christine Ladd-Acosta of Johns Hopkins believe the numbers have grown mainly for two reasons: the Autism diagnosis in 2013 made the boundaries wider, and a rise in screening that is now both quicker and kinder, posted with broader social approval, has made it normal for more families to seek a diagnosis.
What Happens Next?
Mark your calendars: the big reveal is coming Monday from the Oval Office. President Trump will speak, joined by HHS Secretary Kennedy and Dr. Mehmet Oz. Expect, too, the NIH to name the winners of that $50 million autism research award the agency announced in April.
Once the cameras switch off, the message will ripple. Public-health experts, pregnant parents, and courtrooms will all have to weigh what the President says. The hunt for fresh answers on autism is urgent and families don’t have the luxury of waiting, but for everyone else the science on treatment is still evolving. Health experts stress that pregnant mothers should not revise medication plans based on fear. Instead, talks with doctors, weighing risks and benefits, should steer choices.
Now the country faces one final question: will the event fulfill the “turning-point” promise, or be yet another controversial twist in autism research’s already winding path?
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/21/health/trump-hhs-autism-report
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