Kennedy explains his comments on circumcision, autism, and Tylenol.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated on Friday that “mainstream media” misrepresented his remarks regarding circumcision and autism rates, echoing claims made by the Trump administration that Tylenol might contribute to neurological and developmental disorders.

During a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, President Trump reaffirmed his belief that pregnant women and newborns should avoid acetaminophen, the key ingredient in over-the-counter Tylenol.

Kennedy noted at the conference, “There are two studies indicating that children circumcised at an early age are twice as likely to be diagnosed with autism. Since they’re often given Tylenol, that’s quite plausible. None of this is positive, but these are all matters that deserve our attention.”

After his statements, various news outlets reported that Kennedy had connected circumcision to autism. He accused media organizations like the New York Post and USA Today of “distorting” his remarks and presenting them in a misleading manner.

“As usual, the mainstream media goes after me for things I didn’t say, effectively distracting from the truth of my statements,” Kennedy expressed in a post on social media. He referenced a 2015 Danish study that explored autism spectrum disorders and circumcision in boys under 10, as part of his argument linking autism spectrum disorders with acetaminophen.

The study he cited investigated a theory linking autism to acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy and early childhood but noted a lack of data concerning the painkillers used by the boys in the study.

“We were unable to directly address the paracetamol hypothesis,” the researchers acknowledged.

While Kennedy suggested there may be an indirect connection through the use of acetaminophen post-circumcision, the study’s researchers indicated that their findings pointed to a potential relationship between circumcision and future neurological development.

“Our findings suggest circumcision may trigger the onset of ASD in a small number of boys. However, these results do not prove this association,” the researchers stated, highlighting that existing theories about pain, stress during early childhood, and the subsequent risk of neurodevelopmental and behavioral issues are still not fully understood.