Barack Obama Condemns Trump’s Autism Remarks, Calling Them “Violence Against the Truth”
Former president Barack Obama has spoken out strongly against Donald Trump’s recent assertion that Tylenol is responsible for the rise in autism diagnoses across the United States.
Trump first hinted at his claims during a memorial event for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona, telling thousands at State Farm Stadium that he believed a long-sought “answer to autism” had been found. He teased that his next press conference would deliver “one of the most important” announcements of his presidency.
The following day, joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump doubled down. Standing at the White House, he declared that acetaminophen – the pain reliever more widely known by its brand name, Tylenol – should now carry warnings for pregnant women. He claimed, without scientific backing, that prenatal exposure to the drug carries a “very increased risk” of autism in children.
Equally alarming to critics, Trump added that his vaccine positions were guided by “common sense” and “what I feel,” rather than scientific consensus. Medical experts were quick to respond, noting that no credible evidence links acetaminophen to Autism Spectrum Disorders, and warning that misinformation of this kind could have serious consequences for maternal and child health.
Obama, speaking in London at the O2 Arena, did not mince words in his response. “We now have the extraordinary situation of a sitting president pushing theories about drugs and autism that have been consistently disproven,” he said. “This undermines public health and can cause real harm to women and families.”
He went further, branding Trump’s comments “a violence against the truth.”
![NEW YORK, 2022: Barack Obama speaks at a Democracy Forum. Credit / Getty Images]
Since leaving office, Obama has largely stayed away from daily political battles, but he has become more vocal as polarization and unrest in the U.S. continue to deepen. His latest intervention underscores the seriousness with which many leaders view Trump’s rhetoric on sensitive health issues.
What’s your take? Were Trump’s words reckless, or do you believe he has a point? Share your thoughts below.