Pregnant women taking Tylenol to spite Trump

Pregnant women have begun uploading videos on social media of themselves taking Tylenol, in response to President Trump’s recent remarks suggesting a connection between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism. Some of these women explicitly say they won’t take medical advice from Trump, pointing out that he lacks formal medical credentials — an argument echoed by many physicians.

Why this is important

In his Monday announcement, Trump asserted that prenatal use of acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) might be tied to greater rates of autism, although medical experts stress that the evidence is far from conclusive. Critics of the president’s comments say his message is not only potentially misleading, but also diverges sharply from the consensus of scientific research.

One physician, Dr. Lucy McBride, told a media outlet that she would be among the last to trust Trump’s medical advice. She noted that acetaminophen is one of the few medications generally considered safe for managing pain or high fever during pregnancy, and cautioned that uncontrolled fever can itself pose risks to both mother and child.

The impact of the statement has also crossed national borders: in the U.K., Health Secretary Wes Streeting publicly advised pregnant women not to “pay attention whatsoever” to Trump’s medical statements.

What’s going on online

On X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, a wave of videos is circulating. In one, a pregnant woman films herself swallowing a Tylenol tablet, captioning it: “Here’s me, a PREGNANT woman, taking TYLENOL because I believe in science, not someone with no medical background.”

TikTok user @natalie.kehl posted a video (which garnered over 112,000 views) in which she distances herself from Trump’s stance, criticizing both him and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and reaffirming her trust in her own physicians. Another user, @aileenbystronova, posted a clip of herself miming swallowing Tylenol, with a caption that ties the debate to high‑profile tech figures known to be autistic.

Even a fertility specialist, Dr. Michelle Vu, posted a video of herself taking Tylenol, declaring “my baby won’t have autism” — a move that drew backlash from online audiences. Some commenters questioned her credibility, saying it was irresponsible for a medical professional to publicly frame the action in that way.

Many physicians and public health voices have expressed concern that the online trend of pregnant women using Tylenol “to spite Trump” is unwise. They warn that demonizing an otherwise medically acceptable option may lead women to forgo necessary treatment.

Medical and institutional responses

Leading medical organizations have pushed back quite strongly. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) criticized the notion that acetaminophen causes autism, calling it “highly concerning” and “irresponsible.” They emphasize that the full body of scientific evidence does not support the claim.

Several health agencies globally have responded too. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a rebuttal, stating that there is no conclusive link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism, and urging women to follow advice from medical professionals. National regulators in Europe and Canada likewise rejected any definitive connection and reaffirmed that acetaminophen, used properly, remains one of the safer options during pregnancy.

Experts also point out that many studies suggesting a correlation are observational, with limitations and potential confounding factors (for example, the underlying condition that prompts a woman to take acetaminophen, like fever, might itself influence outcomes).

Some worry that Trump’s statements could deter women from using Tylenol when they truly need it — for example, to reduce fever, which itself has been linked to developmental risks if high and untreated.

Source: Newsweek