WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — President Donald Trump held a press conference Monday discussing what he believes is one of the root causes of autism, despite medical experts disagreement. 

Trump called the neurodevelopmental disorder a “horrible, horrible crisis” and unveiled his administration’s latest results in the research into it.

Trump pointed to studies linking acetaminophen — commonly sold under the brand name Tylenol — to autism diagnoses when taken during pregnancy. 

He urged expectant mothers to avoid the drug unless absolutely necessary.

“Taking Tylenol during pregnancy is not good,” Trump said. “Ideally a woman should not take it, and kids should not take vaccines in large doses. Spread them out.”

Autism is a multifactorial condition influenced by genetics and environment, his administration noted.

Trump claimed autism rates have risen by more than 400% since 2000, citing figures that 1 in 31 children nationwide — and 1 in 12 boys in California — are now diagnosed. He called the trend “one of the most alarming public health crises in history.”

Alongside his comments on Tylenol, Trump also repeated long-debunked claims about vaccines. He suggested the MMR shot should be given in separate doses, called for removing aluminum and mercury from vaccines, and questioned the need for newborns to receive a Hepatitis B shot.

Several guest speakers — including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Dr. Mehmet Oz, and parents of children with autism — echoed Trump’s call for more research. Kennedy said his office would pursue studies that should have been done “25 years ago.”

Medical experts say the science is far less certain than the Trump administration suggested.

Dr. Payal Kohli, a cardiologist and medical contributor for First Coast News, stressed that the evidence shows an association between acetaminophen and autism — but not proof of causation.

“Tylenol is still one of the safest options we have for pregnant women when it comes to pain or fever,” Kohli said. “We have to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

She added that fever and pain themselves can pose risks to the baby if untreated. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics continue to recommend acetaminophen in pregnancy and childhood when used at the lowest dose for the shortest duration.

Experts say the rise in autism diagnoses is more complex than a single cause — with expanded diagnostic criteria, better screening, and parental age all playing roles.

Kohli’s advice: “Limit drugs, limit doses, limit durations — but don’t be afraid of Tylenol if it’s necessary. Talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.”