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Actress and advocate Holly Robinson Peete is speaking out after President Donald Trump linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism.
Peete took to Instagram to react to Trump's press conference on Monday (September 22), during which he said the FDA would issue new warnings to doctors about acetaminophen, baselessly linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to increased risk of autism.
“Don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it. Fight like hell not to take it," Trump said Monday.
In her Instagram post, Peete, whose 27-year-old son RJ is autistic, shared a powerful message to mothers, denouncing Trump's comments.
“For far too long, mothers have been unfairly blamed for their children’s autism,” she said. “Don’t be distracted by all of these causation theories and breaking news shiny press conferences.”
Peete emphasized the need to focus on real support for families rather than fear-driven speculation.
“Whatever they want us to believe causes autism doesn’t change the fact that there are so many families that just need help, compassion, understanding, programs, interventions... and most importantly, access to healthcare,” she wrote.
Acetaminophen has long been considered one of the safest pain relief options during pregnancy. Medical experts also pushed back against the administration’s claims.
Dr. Nish Patel of California Pacific Medical Center called the announcement “reckless fearmongering,” saying, “There is no proven link between Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism.”
Peete’s message to mothers was direct and poignant.
“Your child’s autism is not your fault," Peete wrote on Instagram. “Let’s stop pointing fingers and start building solutions,” she urged.
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