ROCHESTER, Minn. — Healthcare providers nationwide have been shaking their heads incredulously at President Trump’s attack on the painkiller Tylenol. The politically cautious Mayo Clinic, however, has declined to weigh in. Asked by news reporters to comment on Trump’s allegations Tuesday against Tylenol, which have no basis in medical literature, Mayo deferred. Reporters were directed to old postings on the Mayo website:
“The use of any over-the-counter medicines, supplements, nonprescribed use of medicines or nicotine, cannabis, or other substances during pregnancy should be discussed with your healthcare professional.”
“Most pregnant people can safely take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to treat headaches that happen once in a while. Your healthcare professional may suggest other medicines as well.”
In short, despite its vaunted role a leader in healthcare, Mayo declined to confront Trump and suddenly became an outlier in the medical and science fields. Many health organizations have pushed back at Trump, especially his assertion of Tylenol as putting unborn children at risk for autism. The maker of Tylenol, Kenvue, responded:
“Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy.”
Trump’s allegations were at a staged event at the White House. With Trump on the podium was his appointee as the national health czar, Robert Kennedy Jr., who has no medical credentials. For years Kennedy has propagated a wide range of quack conspiracy theories designed to undermine public confidence in modern medicine.