Medical experts warn of serious public health risks after Trump and RFK Jr. make controversial claims about Tylenol, childhood vaccines, and raw milk safety.
In a week that has seen public health experts scrambling to contain misinformation, US President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are under fire for making unsupported medical claims — including one linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, questioning the safety of childhood vaccinations, and promoting the consumption of raw (unpasteurised) milk.
The backlash is intensifying as medical bodies, including the CDC and FDA, warn that such rhetoric poses real risks to public health — especially for pregnant women, children, and immunocompromised individuals.
1. Trump Links Tylenol to Autism — Without Evidence
On Monday, Trump made headlines after declaring from the Oval Office that pregnant women should avoid Tylenol (paracetamol), suggesting a link to autism — a theory widely debunked by scientific research.
“Don’t take Tylenol. There’s no downside… don’t take it… don’t give it to the baby after the baby is born,” Trump stated, flanked by RFK Jr. and Medicare/Medicaid chief Dr. Mehmet Oz.
What Experts Say:
- No credible studies link Tylenol to autism.
- Tylenol manufacturer Kenvue stated there is “no credible science” behind the claim.
- The CDC and obstetricians continue to recommend Tylenol as safe for pregnant women when taken as directed.
Health professionals warned that such statements could cause unnecessary panic and lead pregnant women to avoid necessary medication, putting themselves and their babies at risk
2. RFK Jr. Pushes Vaccine Misinformation Again
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time vaccine skeptic and founder of Children’s Health Defense, has made several anti-vaccine claims, including:
- Calling the COVID-19 vaccine “the deadliest ever made”
- Suggesting a direct link between childhood vaccinations and autism
- Promising a “cure” for autism within five months, blaming environmental and pharmaceutical exposures
- Proposing an overhaul of vaccine schedules, such as:
- Splitting the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Delaying the Hepatitis B vaccine by over a decade
Medical Community Responds:
- The CDC, FDA, and American Academy of Pediatrics have refuted these claims.
- Experts warn that delaying or splitting vaccines increases children’s vulnerability to serious, preventable illnesses.
- No scientific link has been established between vaccines and autism.
3. Raw Milk: RFK Jr. Endorses Dangerous Practice
In a separate statement from last year, RFK Jr. revealed that he only drinks raw, unpasteurised milk, contradicting decades of food safety science.
Why Raw Milk Is Risky:
- Can carry Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Campylobacter
- Especially dangerous for children, elderly, and immunocompromised people
- Pasteurisation is a well-established method to kill harmful bacteria
Both the FDA and CDC have issued multiple warnings about the dangers of raw milk. Despite this, around 30 U.S. states still allow its sale, further complicating efforts to ensure consistent public health messaging.
In fact, just months before Kennedy’s statement, the CDC had issued a bird flu advisory tied to raw milk consumption.
“Go Wild”: Trump’s Endorsement of RFK Jr.
When appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary, Trump reportedly told him to “go wild” and praised him as someone who would “Make America Healthy Again” — a play on Trump’s own campaign slogan.
Kennedy, while known for his activism, has also attracted controversy for bizarre personal revelations — including a claim that a “worm ate a part of his brain and then died”, which resurfaced in public discourse when he took office.
Medical Experts Issue Stark Warnings
The latest statements from the President and his top health advisor have triggered strong responses from the medical community.
Key Warnings:
- CDC: Urged parents not to skip or delay vaccines due to fear-based misinformation
- FDA: Reiterated that raw milk can pose life-threatening risks
- Obstetricians and pediatricians: Warned that the Tylenol-autism claim could endanger pregnant women and babies
“These statements are not just incorrect — they’re dangerous,” said one senior CDC official. “Public health must be guided by evidence, not politics or personal belief.”
Conclusion: Politics vs. Public Health
As America approaches the 2025 presidential election, the Trump administration’s stance on healthcare and science is drawing heavy scrutiny. Misinformation on widely-used medications, vaccines, and food safety risks not only credibility — but also lives.
For now, public health officials continue to urge Americans to follow science-based medical advice and consult licensed professionals — not political leaders — for health-related decisions.
