Barack Obama criticizes Donald Trump’s Tylenol-autism claim as “violence against the truth”

Barack Obama has spoken out against Donald Trump after the president claimed Tylenol use during pregnancy could be linked to autism in children. Obama described the remarks as “violence against the truth” and warned they risk undermining public trust in science.

The controversy began when Trump told supporters at a memorial event for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona that his administration had “found an answer to autism.”

At a White House press conference the next day, Trump—standing alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—announced that the Food and Drug Administration would notify doctors about a supposed connection between acetaminophen (commonly known by the brand name Tylenol) and autism diagnoses.

Trump went further, saying he was issuing guidance on vaccines based on “common sense” and “what I feel,” despite the absence of scientific backing. To date, no credible medical research has established a link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorders.

Obama’s response from London

Speaking during an interview at London’s O2 Arena, Obama warned that Trump’s claims could cause confusion and harm.

“We have the spectacle of my successor in the Oval Office making broad claims around certain drugs and autism that have been continuously disproved,” Obama said. “It undermines public health … that can do harm to women.”

He went on to call Trump’s words “a violence against the truth,” stressing the danger of spreading misinformation at a time when public trust in medical advice is already fragile.

Autism research remains a sensitive and widely misunderstood topic, often misused in political debates. Public health experts worry that Trump’s comments may discourage people from using safe medications during pregnancy or fuel further distrust in vaccines.

Obama, who has largely avoided direct criticism of Trump since leaving office, has become more vocal recently as debates over science, health, and democracy intensify in the U.S.

Trump’s announcement has sparked widespread backlash from medical professionals, autism advocates, and political leaders who argue the claims lack evidence and could put families at risk. Whether the administration follows through on its proposed FDA advisory remains unclear.

For now, Obama’s words reflect a growing concern that misinformation at the highest levels of government could have lasting effects on public health.