On Monday, medical professionals, expectant parents, and individuals connected to autism expressed their anger regarding an announcement from the Trump administration linking Tylenol to autism. The news sparked a rapid response from the public, particularly after the Guardian published a call for reactions, resulting in hundreds of comments highlighting the announcement's questionable scientific basis and alarming implications.
Many respondents characterized the announcement as having fascist undertones and disconnected from scientific realities, especially regarding the pregnancy experience. One reader from Georgia, who chose to remain anonymous, questioned the logic behind the statement, asking, “Tylenol can ease the pain of Epstein?” This sentiment was echoed by a Shropshire-based reader who remarked, “One must consider the timing and purpose of Trump’s utter nonsense.” They likened Trump to “a criminal fleeing the scene,” suggesting the announcement was a distraction from more pressing issues, particularly those surrounding Epstein.
Dorian, a retired therapist from New Orleans, noted that the announcement could serve as a red herring to divert public attention from potential impeachment proceedings related to Epstein. “So far, it appears to be working,” Dorian asserted. This sentiment was shared by many who criticized the Guardian for continuing the conversation around such a contentious topic. Jon from Dorset expressed frustration, stating, “Considering my wife doesn’t take paracetamol and we have two autistic children, this is yet more utter rubbish from Trump et al, designed to deflect attention from the Epstein files.”
Health professionals expressed their outrage over the lack of scientific foundation for the claims made by the administration. Dr. Paul Kiff, a medical research reviewer from Suffolk, described the association as “utterly spurious” and criticized Trump for lacking a proper understanding of research outcomes. A Colorado-based reader, employed as a receptionist in a long-term care facility, articulated their resentment toward the president’s medical advice, asserting that he should be removed from office due to his failure to grasp issues concerning women’s health.
Many expectant mothers voiced their concerns about the announcement, especially given the limited options available for managing pain during pregnancy. An anonymous reader from Virginia shared, “When I was pregnant, I most definitely took acetaminophen. Growing a human inside you is kind of painful, dear leaders. My two children have no signs of autism. Maybe learn to read scientific journals instead of Facebook posts?”
Another pregnant reader, Morven from Warwickshire, expressed her frustration at the recommendations, stating, “The only thing the pharmacy can safely recommend is paracetamol. To say ‘Just don’t take it, there’s no downside’ isn’t just harmful scaremongering about autism and its causes; it’s also blithely ignorant of pregnancy healthcare options.”
Many commentators pointed out that the announcement aligns with the Trump administration’s broader agenda, particularly Project 2025, which aims to exert more control over women’s bodies. Policies that classify common contraceptives as “abortifacients” directly contradict established scientific understanding, further fueling concerns about the administration’s motivations. Sophie, a 34-year-old pregnant woman from Hertfordshire, expressed her disgust at the spread of misinformation, stating, “This is a slippery slope towards The Handmaid’s Tale becoming reality.”
Readers who are autistic or have autistic children highlighted the distress caused by the administration’s narrative surrounding autism. A Surrey-based reader with an autistic grandchild expressed their repulsion at the “non-scientific, mother-bashing arguments” coming from the White House, emphasizing that neurodiversity should be celebrated rather than eradicated. “Many people on the spectrum are intelligent, creative, ‘left-field’ thinkers,” they wrote, advocating against the notion that autism needs a cure.
Another UK-based autistic individual echoed these sentiments, stating, “I am fed up with the negativity and constant suggestion that autism is awful, debilitating, a tragedy, etc. At what point does it sound like a call to eugenics?” This growing concern over the portrayal of autism in public discourse highlights the need for respectful and informed conversations about neurodiversity.
