Tylenol’s Forgotten Tweet Sparks Frenzy Amid Trump’s Shocking Autism Assertion—What’s the Real Story?

So here’s a head-scratcher for you: How does an eight-year-old tweet suddenly make Tylenol the star of a very unexpected drama—complete with a former US president issuing impassioned warnings and a company scrambling to set the record straight? Yep, that’s exactly what’s gone down after Donald Trump, in his own inimitable style, claimed that taking Tylenol while pregnant could be linked to autism—a connection no one else saw coming. Tylenol’s maker, Kenvue, pushed back hard, emphasizing that this painkiller is still considered one of the safest choices for expectant mothers, despite the resurfaced social media snippet suggesting otherwise. In a world where viral tweets age like fine wine—sometimes souring the truth—what’s a brand to do when old posts clash with established health guidelines and political fireworks? Buckle up, because this saga is part misinformation, part medicine, with a dollop of controversy. LEARN MORE

Tylenol has responded to a resurfaced tweet which appears to show the company advising against using the medication while pregnant.

The pain relief medication, which is the brand name for paracetamol or acetaminophen, has been at the receiving end of media attention this week after US President Donald Trump made the controversial and unproven claim that taking the drug while pregnant had been linked to autism.

“Don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it,” Trump said during the press briefing. “Fight like hell not to take it.”

Kenvue, the company which makes Tylenol, has since responded to the claims made by the Trump administration, saying they ‘strongly disagree’ with the suggestion that the painkiller medicine has been linked to autism.

“We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers,” the company said.

Donald Trump has made controversial claims about Tylenol and autism (RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

According to guidelines from the UK Department of Health and Social Care, paracetamol is the safest drug choice for pregnant women experiencing pain or discomfort.

In the aftermath of Trump’s claims – which also saw the 79-year-old ramble about mercury or aluminium in vaccines and autism rates in the Amish community – a 2017 tweet attributed to Tylenol has resurfaced, suggesting the company didn’t recommend using the drug while pregnant.

“We actually don’t recommend using any of our products while pregnant. Thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns today,” the tweet, which was in response to a deleted question by another user, read.

The post was made back in 2017 in response to a deleted tweet (X/@tylenol)

The post has since been used as a gotcha by the MAGA crowd, with the official White House account reposting the claim alongside an image of Trump holding up a hat saying he was ‘right about everything’, while the US Department of Health & Human Services said ‘No caption needed’ about the post.

Kenvue has since spoken out to set the record straight, issuing the following comment when approached by Bloomberg: “This eight-year-old consumer response is incomplete and did not address our full guidance on the safe use of Tylenol.”

The spokesperson added that acetaminophen remained the safest painkiller option for pregnant women and that taking any over-the-counter medication should not be done without talking to a doctor first.

However, they did not confirm whether or not the account, which has been inactive since 2021, was linked to the drug brand.

READ MORE:

UK HEALTH OFFICIALS ADDRESS TRUMP CLAIMS ABOUT PARACETAMOL AND AUTISM

The claims have been pushed by Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr (Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Is there evidence which suggests Tylenol increases autism rates?

Evidence claiming a link between the painkiller and autism comes from a research review published in August, which suggests that foetal exposure to paracetamol increases a child’s likelihood of developing neurodevelopmental disorders. However, a 2024 study disputes this, saying there is ‘no evidence’ of a link between the medicine and autism diagnosis.

“Paracetamol has been used safely by millions of people for decades, including during pregnancy, when taken as directed,” added a statement from Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

“It is the first-line choice for pain management and fever control in a variety of patients, including pregnant women, children and the elderly.”

LADbible Group has approached Tylenol parent company Kenvue for additional comment.