Trump's Claims on Autism and Vaccines: A Fact-Check

Sun Oct 19 2025 20:16:16 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Donald Trump's recent statements regarding autism, the MMR vaccine, and Tylenol have sparked controversy and condemnation from health experts. This article delves into the claims made by the former president and offers a detailed analysis of the facts.

In a recent press conference, Donald Trump made several assertions linking autism rates to Tylenol use and questioned the safety of the combined MMR vaccine. Experts have criticized these claims as unfounded and misleading, emphasizing the importance of reliable medical data in discussions about health.

US President Donald Trump has faced backlash from health experts after alleging a connection between the painkiller Tylenol and autism during a news conference. Flanked by Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Trump suggested that pregnant women should be advised against using the drug, known as paracetamol in some regions.

Medical professionals quickly condemned these claims. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists found the announcement to be unsettling and unsupported by reliable data, while the UK's National Autism Society labeled Trump's assertions as dangerous, anti-science, and irresponsible.

BBC Verify examined several of Trump's statements made at the conference. One significant claim was regarding the rise in autism diagnoses, where he claimed that the rate has jumped from about one in 10,000 nearly two decades ago to one in 31 by 2025. While the latter statistic is accurate according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), experts argue that the increases are primarily due to evolving diagnostic criteria and heightened awareness of autism, rather than a surge in actual cases.

Trump also posited that California faces a more severe autism crisis compared to other states, where 2022 data suggested a prevalence of approximately one in 12 among eight-year-old boys, the highest in the survey. This, however, correlates with California's initiatives for early identification and support for autism.

Another contentious remark involved the MMR vaccine, where Trump suggested that vaccinations should be administered separately, alluding to potential problems with the combined immunization. This notion revives discredited views that have been thoroughly debunked by extensive research, including a large-scale 2019 study from Denmark which reaffirmed no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

Regarding the Amish community, Trump claimed they exhibit virtually no autism, attributing this to limited Tylenol use. However, experts highlight the lack of comprehensive studies on autism rates among the Amish and suggest the potential for underreporting due to their educational choices. In one earlier study, autism was found in approximately one in 271 Amish children.

Trump's history of comments on autism, dating back to 2007, reflects an ongoing concern intertwined with pervasive vaccine skepticism. Despite his presidency witnessing significant vaccine development efforts, his recent statements have reignited fears about vaccine safety.