Barack Obama blasts Donald Trump for spreading ‘violence against truth’ about Tylenol and autism

Former President Barack Obama has publicly slammed President Donald Trump for his recent comments linking Tylenol to autism, calling the claims “violence against the truth.” Obama, who is on a European speaking tour, made the comments at the O2 Arena in London just two days after Trump announced that his administration would be advising pregnant women about acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol.

During his remarks, Obama didn’t hold back, directly addressing what he called “the spectacle of my successor in the Oval Office making broad claims around certain drugs and autism that have been continuously disproven.” He pointed out that Trump’s statements could undermine public health, potentially harming pregnant women and causing unnecessary anxiety for parents of children with autism.

Obama also noted that the supposed “massive increases” in autism rates are largely due to a broadening of diagnostic criteria, which actually helps people get the services and support they need. “All of that is violence against the truth,” Obama stated.

Obama isn’t letting Trump get away with Tylenol claims

Obama’s comments are particularly notable because he doesn’t often weigh in on domestic issues, especially not while he’s speaking abroad. The fact that he’s taking a stand on this issue shows how seriously he views the potential for harm from misinformation. He even posted a video of his remarks on social media, making sure the message was widely shared. The White House hasn’t commented on the matter just yet, so it’s going to be interesting to see if they respond to this.

Trump’s initial announcement was made alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the White House, where Trump declared, “Taking Tylenol is not good. I’ll say it. It’s not good.” He suggested that women should avoid the drug unless they “cannot tough it out.” These claims are completely at odds with decades of evidence and the guidance of major medical associations, which have consistently said that acetaminophen is safe for pregnant women to take.

In fact, organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) have reaffirmed their guidelines, stating that untreated fevers and pain can be far more dangerous to a pregnant woman and her baby than any “theoretical risks” from the medication. The ACOG president even called the administration’s claims “irresponsible” and based on “faulty science.”

This isn’t the first time Trump has gone after his predecessor, as his administration has previously accused Obama of “treasonous conspiracy” to undermine him. Obama’s spokesperson, in a rare move, called those allegations “bizarre” and “ridiculous.”