RFK Jr. has made a significant announcement regarding autism in the United States, following hints he dropped during Charlie Kirk’s memorial service yesterday (September 21).
Earlier today (September 22), Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, disclosed that the president and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the US Health Secretary, would present an announcement at 4:00 pm.
Before the announcement, there were rumors suggesting that Trump and RFK Jr. would unveil the ’cause’ of autism in America and associate it with Tylenol.
This speculation has already stirred considerable controversy. However, Leavitt has encouraged the public to approach Trump’s announcement with ‘open ears’ and to ‘tone down the judgement’, as reported by BBC.
During the address at Kirk’s memorial service, Trump mentioned today’s announcement: “Tomorrow we are going to have the biggest medical announcement in the history of the country… I think you’re going to find it to be amazing. I think we have an answer to autism.”
The National Autistic Society, a UK-based organization, describes autism as a condition that ‘influences how people experience and interact with the world’.
The organization further explains: “It is a lifelong neurodivergence and disability. Autistic people are different from each other, but for a diagnosis they must share differences from non-autistic people in how they think, feel and communicate.
“Being autistic means you may feel things and react to them differently to non-autistic people. You may find socialising confusing or tiring, and you may become overwhelmed in loud or busy places.
“You may have intense interests, prefer order and routine, and use repeated movements or actions to calm yourself or express joy. You might mask your discomfort to fit in, which can lead to mental illness.”
Tylenol, a widely used painkiller in the US, contains acetaminophen (known as paracetamol in countries like the UK) as its main active ingredient.
According to Tylenol’s website, acetaminophen is commonly used for pain and fever relief.
The site states: “Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. It is thought to work to relieve minor aches and pains by elevating the body’s overall pain threshold so you feel less pain, and lowers your fever by helping your body eliminate excess heat.”
The president claims that autism rates have increased dramatically, with once just one in 10,000 children diagnosed, now rising to one in 31 in some parts of the United States.
Trump and other officials suspect that this rise might be linked to Tylenol use. He mentioned that the FDA ‘are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary’.
In a statement to the BBC, the company behind the medication refuted claims that Tylenol is linked to autism.
“We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism,” the company stated.
They added: “We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers.”