This is yet another example of how unqualified Kennedy was in charge of America’s health, and that’s what we get when a president fills his cabinet with quacks and conspiracy theorists.
RFK Jr. says there isn’t enough evidence linking Tylenol and autism.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told reporters there was “insufficient” evidence linking Tylenol to autism.
Now, a little more than a month after making specious claims that there was a link between Tylenol use and autism, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has acknowledged that there is “not enough” evidence to support the outrageous medical claims he and President Donald Trump have loudly and proudly promoted.
Representative Kennedy said on October 29, “It is not enough to say that the causal relationship between Tylenol taken during pregnancy and the perinatal period definitely causes autism. However, it is very meaningful.”
Okay, okay. So, are you saying that the country’s top health authorities are giving medical advice based on Vibe?
This is yet another example of how unqualified Kennedy was in charge of America’s health, and that’s what we get when a president fills his cabinet with quacks and conspiracy theorists.
Trump and Kennedy displayed dangerous confidence in linking autism to Tylenol and acetaminophen.
On September 22, Kennedy and Trump stood together and held a press conference in which Trump outrageously praised Trump for providing “the answer to autism.”
After President Trump rambled with great conviction that Tylenol was “linked to a greatly increased risk of autism.” Kennedy proudly declared.: “Today, (the Food and Drug Administration) will issue a Notice to Physicians regarding the risks of acetaminophen during pregnancy and begin the process to initiate safety label changes. The Department of Health and Human Services will launch a nationwide public service campaign to inform families and protect public health.”
Of course that was nonsense. Tylenol is safeThere is no reputable scientific or medical association that supports the claim of a link between autism and Tylenol use during pregnancy, and the Kennedy/Trump announcement is: Widely condemned as a dangerous bed.
Dr. Steven Fleischman, President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said: said in a statement At the time: “The suggestion that acetaminophen use during pregnancy causes autism is not only deeply concerning to clinicians, but also irresponsible given the harmful and confusing message it sends to pregnant patients, including those who must rely on this beneficial drug during pregnancy.”
Unfortunately, many Americans accepted Kennedy’s lie about Tylenol.
The press conference created unnecessary fear and uncertainty in the hearts of pregnant women and families of children with autism. False medical information was promoted to the public in an authoritative manner, and public opinion polls show the extent of the damage.
KFF tracking poll released earlier this month It turns out that 77% of Americans have heard of Kennedy’s BS claim that “taking Tylenol during pregnancy increases your child’s risk of autism.”
Problems arise when parents begin to believe RFK Jr.’s medical advice.
Among all respondents who were parents, A whopping 36% believe this claim is probably true.. 50% of all Republicans believe the crap peddled by Trump and Kennedy.
In other words, it is not good medically. What’s worse is that anyone who trusts Trump and Kennedy about their Tylenol-related health problems is likely to fall prey to the dangerous and false belief that vaccines cause autism.
Simply put, when stupid people take on important jobs, stupid things happen.
Kennedy doubled down on the link between Tylenol and autism.
During the cabinet meeting on 9 October – immediately after the first press conference. Trump repeated the same thing “Don’t take Tylenol!” An ominous count – Kennedy said, “Anyone who takes these medications during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary is irresponsible. This is not evidence. We are doing the research to create evidence.”
Yeah, studying doesn’t work that way.
At the same conference, Kennedy drove straight to Crazytown and said: “There are two studies showing that children who are circumcised early have twice the rate of autism. It’s very likely because they were given Tylenol.”
no. That’s not true.
If the dude at the end of the bar says this crap, he’ll move to a booth or another bar. But remember, this is what the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services actually said.
Trump is still parroting RFK Jr.’s unsubstantiated Tylenol claims. The same goes for Texas.
All that recklessness seems to be falling apart, according to new comments from Kennedy saying there is “not enough” evidence to prove a link between Tylenol and autism.
It’s especially funny considering Trump hasn’t stopped babbling on the subject since his first press conference. As recently as October 26, the president posted on social media, “Pregnant women, do not use Tylenol unless absolutely necessary. Do not give Tylenol to young children for any reason.”
And Texas’ Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of Tylenol on Oct. 28. This gem is included ‐ “The bottom line is in. Last month, the federal government confirmed what the defendants have known for years: Use of acetaminophen during pregnancy is likely to cause conditions such as ASD and ADHD. Given how widely acetaminophen is used and how prevalent these conditions are, the defendants will inflict tens of billions of dollars in damages to permanently injured children.”
The lawsuit will probably be laughed out of court, but Kennedy’s new comments about the lack of evidence are almost certain to draw laughs.
Still, I don’t laugh out loud at Kennedy’s antics. As polls show, people listen to him and Trump. And people will get sick or worse. Because these ignorant, dishonest old men think they know what they’re talking about.
Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Bluesky. @rexhuppke.bsky.social And on Facebook facebook.com/RexIsAJerk
