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Dear Friend,
The unfounded link of Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism is a creative way to blame mothers and to further stigmatize an autism diagnosis.
That’s why President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’ s inaccurate press conference this week was so infuriating to so many of us, to our very cores. [1]
>>> Quick signature: Urge Congress to remove HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by telling him, "You're fired!" Moms and families deserve real science, not junk science! *When you click you’ll automatically sign onto our petition if we already have your information.
What’s happening?. The President, with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at his side, declared that Tylenol (acetaminophen) use in pregnancy causes autism, a claim not supported by science [2], and that mothers should “tough it out” when experiencing pain in pregnancy. [3] What the #@&*!
Scientific research has found that autism is a very complex condition where genetics are known to play a significant role – and Tylenol has nothing to do with genetics. [4] One fast way to tell the Trump Administration and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are on the wrong track:
In other words, the math doesn’t math: Autism started happening way before Tylenol was even invented, meaning it couldn’t possibly be the sole cause. The situation isn’t good. The President and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have made a lot of reckless and inaccurate statements about public health, and they’re adept at preying on the very real fears and concerns of moms to further their anti-science agenda. They are not Making America Healthy Again; they are cutting health care access, making the stigma against women and mothers much worse, and creating new fears and concerns that run counter to what the experts know about healthy pregnancies and the causes of autism.
Further, by inaccurately stating that they’ve found the cause of autism (they haven’t!); the Trump Administration is closing the door on future research into the real causes. Already, this administration has cut at least $4 billion dollars from scientific research, [7] harming our future health. Not okay.
While we urge our lawmakers to pour more resources into studying the causes and conditions of autism to lessen the stigma, help children, and lift the undue burden we place on mothers; we must not disregard the science that we do have.
The data is clear: Untreated pain and fever in pregnancy increases the risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects. Telling pregnant mothers to forgo proven, over-the-counter treatments like acetaminophen (or Tylenol), based on unfounded conspiracies and corrupt scientific review, is devastatingly dangerous. [8]
>>> Add your name: Tell Congress that it is time for RFK Jr. to go. *When you click you’ll automatically sign onto our petition if we already have your information.
After that disastrous news conference this week, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said: "More than 20 years of research have shown that acetaminophen is a safe, effective option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy. No high-quality evidence supports any claims that it causes autism in children. The real risks come from leaving fever or pain untreated." [9]
From the American Academy of Pediatrics: "Decades of research have found that acetaminophen is safe for children when administered as recommended. Misleading claims link the medicine to autism. These false claims send a confusing, dangerous message to parents and expectant parents and do a disservice to autistic individuals." [10]
Listen to the experts. Listen to your doctor. Listen to your body. Don't listen to junk science.
While this Administration stands before the American public and spews conspiracies about autism spectrum disorders that run counter to what the research actually says, they are also defunding the services and research that help children and adults with autism live full and vibrant lives. [11] The Trump Administration has been cutting everything from Medicaid, to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) in schools, to research grants that could actually help us understand not just the origins of autism, but also the best ways to help the beloved individuals in our families, communities and classrooms with autism to thrive.
When you click you’ll automatically sign on to our petition that reads:
Dear member of Congress:
As moms, we know firsthand how carefully we weigh every decision when we are pregnant, how desperately we want to make the best choices for ourselves and our babies. That’s why the President and the HHS Secretary’s inaccurate press conference this week was so infuriating to so many of us, to our very cores.
We are once again urging you to remove Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services so that the Agency is led by someone who relies on accurate science—not the political whims of this administration.
After the disastrous news conference about acetaminophen, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said: "More than 20 years of research have shown that acetaminophen is a safe, effective option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy. No high-quality evidence supports any claims that it causes autism in children. The real risks come from leaving fever or pain untreated."
From the American Academy of Pediatrics: "Decades of research have found that acetaminophen is safe for children when administered as recommended. Misleading claims link the medicine to autism. These false claims send a confusing, dangerous message to parents and expectant parents and do a disservice to autistic individuals."
Moms want science-based medical guidance. We don't want junk science.
Please remove HHS Secretary Kennedy.
The more people who speak out, the bigger our impact. Please take a moment to share our action link with your friends and family: https://action.momsrising.org/sign/firerfktylenol/
Together we are a powerful voice for mother’s health.
- Jenny, Tina, Gina, Felicia, Kristin, Lauren, and the whole MomsRising.org & MamásConPoder Team
References:
[1] NPR, Trump blames Tylenol for autism. Science doesn't back him up
[2] NBC News, With RFK Jr. behind him, Trump pushes unproven link between Tylenol and autism
[3] CBS, HealthWatch Doctors still recommend Tylenol for fevers, pain in pregnancy, say Trump's "tough it out" comment could be harmful
[4] Cleveland Clinic, Autism Spectrum Disorder
[5] Advanced Autism Services, A Brief History and Timeline of Autism
[6] The Columbus Dispatch, When was Tylenol introduced? Trump links it to autism; experts disagree. What to know
[7] Columbia Law School, Trump Administration Cuts $4 Billion from Medical Research Funding
[8] STAT, Trump’s Tylenol warning cited a Harvard dean’s research. But a judge called his shifting conclusions ‘unreliable’
[9] ACOG, Facebook Post, 9/22/25
[10] AAP, Facebook Post, 9/22/25
[11] Yale School of Public Health, What the research says about autism and acetaminophen use during pregnancy
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