Former President Barack Obama has unleashed a sharp rebuke against President Donald Trump over controversial claims linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism in children, as the Daily Mail reports.

The dispute erupted after Trump announced an FDA warning on Tylenol, prompting Obama to denounce the claims as harmful to public health and trust in science, while the White House defended Trump's focus on rising autism concerns.

On Monday, Trump made a striking announcement during a public address, stating that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration would issue a warning to doctors about Tylenol use by pregnant women. He claimed that such usage is tied to a significantly heightened risk of autism in children. Trump urged expectant mothers to avoid the medication unless absolutely necessary due to severe pain or high fever.

Trump takes strong stance on risks

During his speech, Trump advised pregnant women to "fight like hell not to take it," emphasizing their duty to endure discomfort rather than risk potential harm. He also extended his caution to parents, discouraging them from giving Tylenol to their children.

Trump further connected his concerns to broader health issues, describing America’s vaccine schedule as "disgraceful" while speaking alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He asserted that autism rates have surged by 400% over recent decades, attributing this to "something artificial" and dismissing alternatives to avoiding Tylenol.

The FDA warning, reportedly spearheaded by Kennedy, who has previously tied vaccines to autism, added fuel to the controversy. Trump's insistence on avoiding the drug underscored his belief in a direct causal link, despite lacking scientific consensus on the matter.

Obama launches critique

In response, Obama issued a scathing critique, accusing Trump’s administration of perpetrating "violence against the truth." He argued that such unfounded assertions about drugs and autism have been repeatedly disproved by research.

Obama highlighted the potential damage of Trump’s words, noting they could undermine public health efforts. He expressed concern for pregnant women who might be misled by the claims and for parents of autistic children who could face unnecessary anxiety.

He also provided context on autism rates, explaining that perceived increases often stem from expanded diagnostic criteria. This broadening, Obama noted, helps more individuals access needed services and support rather than indicating an actual rise in cases.

Public health implications scrutinized

Obama further warned that the nation is being "tested" by challenges to free speech and legal principles. He stressed the importance of upholding truth and science, even when it’s inconvenient to do so.

"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 stated. He emphasized the gravity of spreading such narratives from a position of power.

"The degree to which that undermines public health, the degree to which that can do harm to women who are pregnant, the degree to which that creates anxiety for parents who do have children who are autistic," he added. This, Obama insisted, represents a profound disservice to the public.

White House defends president

The White House quickly countered Obama’s criticism through spokesman Kush Desai, who dismissed the remarks as "pathetic political attacks." Desai argued that Trump is addressing legitimate concerns held by many Americans about rising autism rates.

Desai pointed out that millions of former Obama supporters have shifted their allegiance to Trump and the MAGA movement. "While Obama continues to condescend to Americans and lob pathetic political attacks on foreign soil, President Trump is focused on addressing the questions and concerns of everyday Americans," Desai said.

He also referenced emotional testimonies from parents at a recent event, claiming they demonstrate that Trump gives a voice to the "forgotten men and women" of the country. This ongoing clash between Obama and Trump reflects deeper tensions over health policy and public trust in science during Trump’s second term.