OPINION:
The Trump administration’s announcement about Tylenol has the political left completely losing its mind. Angry moms are posting “how-dare-you” rants, TikTok “experts” are chugging bottles of Tylenol, and the tantrums are endless. But beneath all the noise, the only legitimate criticism is the distinction between causation and correlation.
Here’s the truth: The studies from Johns Hopkins and Harvard don’t say Tylenol causes autism. They show that higher acetaminophen use during pregnancy correlates with higher autism and ADHD diagnoses. That’s exactly what the administration said.
If you’ve ever been pregnant, you know this is not unusual. Almost every pregnancy guideline is built on correlation, not airtight proof of causation. We’re told to limit caffeine to 200 milligrams a day because high intake correlates with miscarriage and low birth weight. Sushi is discouraged because raw fish correlates with foodborne illness risks. Cold cuts are on the no-no list because of listeria correlations. Even skincare gets policed; retinol is banned because it’s chemically related to Accutane, which is linked to birth defects. Nobody proved my night serum would harm my baby, but the correlation was enough for doctors to say, “Don’t risk it.”
So why should acetaminophen be any different? This isn’t some radical new rule. It’s not President Trump “attacking moms.” It’s how pregnancy recommendations have always worked: Present the evidence, consult your doctor and make your own choice.
Personally, I think it’s fine to take Tylenol if that’s what you and your doctor decide. What’s not fine is pretending there’s zero risk. The left’s real problem here seems to be choice. They hate when parents are informed and empowered. They would rather lie, keep you in the dark and gaslight you into believing everything is perfectly safe.
Motherhood is already heavy. We carry the weight of these decisions long before our babies are born. I’d rather carry that weight armed with truth than be gaslit by left-wing hacks telling me, “Don’t worry; it’s all fine” when it’s actually not.
That’s why I welcome this announcement. Information isn’t an attack on moms; it’s respect for them.
CORINNE CLARK BARRON
Alexandria, Virginia
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