Donald Trump, the 79-year-old former president, shared controversial health advice for pregnant women and young children in a post on Truth Social early Sunday morning. The message, which was published at 4:19 a.m. local time while he was in Malaysia, included a series of alarming recommendations that have raised eyebrows among medical professionals.
In his post, Trump wrote in all caps: “Pregnant Women, DON’T USE TYLENOL UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, DON’T GIVE TYLENOL TO YOUR YOUNG CHILD FOR VIRTUALLY ANY REASON.” He also advised parents to “BREAK UP THE MMR SHOT INTO THREE TOTALLY SEPARATE SHOTS” and to ensure vaccinations occur in multiple visits. This latest post appears to be a direct copy of one he made exactly one month earlier, with the addition of a link to an article by the right-leaning Daily Caller discussing concerns over acetaminophen use during pregnancy.
Trump’s assertions regarding Tylenol and autism have been widely criticized. The claims stem from a September announcement where he, alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., suggested that the use of Tylenol by pregnant women may contribute to an increase in autism rates among children. These statements have been strongly rebutted by numerous health organizations. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists emphasizes that Tylenol is one of the few pain relief options deemed safe for pregnant women.
Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that Tylenol is safe for young children when administered correctly under pediatric supervision. They warn that children under 12 weeks should not be given the medication unless directed by a healthcare provider.
Contradictions to Established Health Guidelines
Trump’s health recommendations have drawn further scrutiny for contradicting established guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For instance, he suggests administering the Hepatitis B vaccine to children aged 12 years and older, while the CDC recommends that all infants receive the vaccine at birth. Furthermore, his instruction to “TAKE VACCINE IN 5 SEPARATE MEDICAL VISITS” lacks clarity, as the Hepatitis B vaccine is typically given in a series of two or three shots.
Public health experts have also expressed concern about Trump’s call to separate the combination measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) into individual shots. Many argue that this approach would not enhance safety but could discourage vaccination, undermining public health efforts.
This is not the first time Trump has been criticized for offering questionable medical advice. During his presidency in 2020, he suggested the use of disinfectants as a potential treatment for COVID-19, a remark that was met with widespread disbelief and condemnation.
A recent poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) indicates that skepticism regarding Trump’s claims is prevalent among the American public. Only 4 percent of respondents believed his assertion linking Tylenol to autism was “definitely true,” while 35 percent labeled it as “definitely false.”
As discussions around public health continue to evolve, Trump’s remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of relying on established medical guidelines and the expertise of healthcare professionals.
