‘Based on what I feel’: Trump escalates attack on childhood vaccines

Trump promoted long-debunked claims that vaccines can cause autism as he called for changes to the childhood immunization schedule sought by anti-vaccine activists

"Public health experts were already on edge when President Donald Trump strode to a White House lectern Monday, promising to reveal new answers about autism.

 

But few were expecting the president’s direct attack on vaccines — a prolonged riff that shocked medical leaders, alarmed some current and former Trump officials and unsettled Republican allies on Capitol Hill, as the president repeated false claims about vaccine safety and called for changes to the childhood immunization schedule.

 

“This is based on what I feel,” Trump said at one point, a recurring refrain in his often ad-libbed remarks. The president called for an end to one widely used combination childhood vaccine, insisted that it would be safer to delay another and urged parents to disregard long-standing federal recommendations on when to vaccinate their children in favor of spacing out shots over a multiyear period.

 

All of those arguments have long been espoused by anti-vaccine activists and criticized as harmful by many public health officials and pediatricians. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who rose from anti-vaccine activist to Trump’s top health official, also called for an “honest look” at the discredited connection between autism and vaccines as he flanked the president at the news conference."

 

(more)

 

Washington Post

https://archive.ph/eDZPK

 

 

Does the guy know, or care, what he's saying from one day to the next?

 

 

 

September 6, 2025

 

"President Donald Trump said on Friday that Florida officials are taking a "tough stance" by moving to eliminate all vaccine mandates for students, as he stated that some "vaccines should be used."

 

"I think we have to be very careful. You have some vaccines that are so amazing. The polio vaccine, I happen to think, is amazing," Trump told reporters, adding that he believes the COVID-19 vaccine developed during his first term is also "amazing."

 

He continued: "You have some vaccines that are so incredible, and I think you have to be very careful when you say that some people don't have to be vaccinated. It's a very tough position … it's a tough stance."  The president added that there are "vaccines that work, they just pure and simple work."

 

"They're not controversial at all," Trump said. "And I think those vaccines should be used, otherwise some people are going to catch it and they endanger other people. And when you don't have controversy at all, I think people should take them."

 

(more)

 

Fox News

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-calls-floridas-move-eliminate-vaccine-mandates-tough-stance-you-have-vaccines-work

 

 

Trump links autism to Tylenol and vaccines, claims not backed by science

"WASHINGTON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday linked autism to childhood vaccine use and the taking of popular pain medication Tylenol by women when pregnant, elevating claims not backed by scientific evidence to the forefront of U.S. health policy.

 

In an extraordinary news conference at the White House, the Republican president delivered medical advice to pregnant women and parents of young children, repeatedly telling them not to use or administer the painkiller and suggesting that common vaccines not be taken together or so early in a child's life.

...

Trump said he is a big believer in vaccines, having led in his the pandemic initiative to speed COVID-19 vaccine development first term. Still, he called for the removal of mercury from vaccines and said children should not get the hepatitis B vaccine before the age of 12. It is normally given in the first 24 hours after birth. He also said the measles-mumps-rubella combination vaccine should be split into three separate shots.

...

Studies have shown vaccines are safe, eradicating childhood diseases such as polio and measles in the U.S. Over the last 50 years, it is estimated that essential vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives, UNICEF USA President & CEO Michael J. Nyenhuis has said."

 

(more)

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/trump-expected-link-autism-with-tylenol-experts-say-more-research-needed-2025-09-22/

 

 

Background on the hepatitis B childhood vaccine issue:

 

 

"Vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted 11-1 to delay a vote on changes to a newborn hepatitis B shot. It was a surprise twist after a lengthy discussion on the hepatitis B vaccine typically delivered to newborns shortly after birth.

 

The committee had planned to consider a new recommendation that would wait to give newborns a dose of the hepatitis B vaccine until they are at least a month old. Currently, babies are given this shot at birth, usually before they leave the hospital.

 

The birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine has been recommended in the United States since 1991. After it was implemented, hepatitis B infections in infants dropped from an average of 18,000 per year to around 20 reported cases of hepatitis B in babies per year now. Children infected with hepatitis B nearly always develop long-term infections which can damage the liver, increasing the risk for liver scarring, transplant and cancer.

 

(more)

 

CNN

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/19/health/cdc-acip-hepatitis-mmrv-covid-vaccine

 

 

Re the mercury issue, Trump presumably is talking about thimerasol, a preservatives used in some vaccines, mainly multi-dose flu vaccines, that has been an ongoing target of the anti-vaccine movement -- even though extensive research has shown it causes no health problems or risks.

 

Presentation Before CDC Vaccine Panel Misleads About Thimerosal

Posted on July 10, 2025 

"A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel voted to recommend against use of seasonal influenza vaccines containing small amounts of thimerosal followed a presentation that misled on the risks of the rarely used preservative.

 

There isn’t evidence that thimerosal in vaccines is harmful, and studies assessing a variety of health problems, including neurological conditions, have supported its safety.

...

Thimerosal, which is mercury-based, has long been a focus of anti-vaccine groups, including Children’s Health Defense, the nonprofit founded and formerly chaired by Kennedy. ... The type of mercury in thimerosal is ethylmercury, which is substantially different and less toxic than methylmercury, which is what accumulates in fish from the environment. 

...

Numerous studies have evaluated the effects of thimerosal in vaccines and have not identified any neurological harms. (There are a few studies that link thimerosal-containing vaccines to tics, but only weakly. Other studies have not identified these associations, or have observed them inconsistently.) Moreover, the amount of mercury in a flu shot is about the same as what is in a 3 ounce portion of tuna, according to the FDA."

 

(more)

 

FactCheck.org

https://www.factcheck.org/2025/07/presentation-before-cdc-vaccine-panel-misleads-about-thimerosal/

 

About Trump's comments about lengthening / delaying the children's vaccine schedule, another goal of the anti-vax movement:

 

Per Harvard University Medical School:

Why follow a vaccine schedule for children?

Routine childhood vaccines protect against preventable illnesses like measles, polio, and hepatitis.

September 12, 2024

...

"Some parents have children vaccinated, but alter the schedule. In a 2020 study, researchers found that only 63% of families followed the recommended vaccination schedule for their children. Among those who didn't, the majority followed an alternate schedule, spacing vaccines out, skipping some, or doing a combination of both.

 

But vaccines are given on a schedule for a reason: to protect children from vaccine-preventable disease. Experts designed the schedule so that children get protection when they need it — and the doses are timed so the vaccine itself can have the best effect. When parents don't follow the schedule, their children may not be protected. [emphasis added]

Worried about side effects?

Parents also worry about side effects of vaccines and other risks, often fueled by information they get on social media. Not every person who gets these infections has a serious case or complications. But the risk of a complication of the disease is always higher than the risk of the vaccine, an important fact that sometimes gets lost in the vaccine discussion.

 

When children get behind on vaccines, they are more likely to catch vaccine-preventable illnesses — which is not only dangerous for them, but also for those around them who aren't vaccinated, as we have seen in measles outbreaks. It is not just children whose parents choose not to vaccinate them that are at risk, but also children who can't be vaccinated, such as newborns or those who are taking medications that suppress the immune system. Adults with suppressed immune systems can be at risk too. Parents often forget that the decisions they make about immunization affect more people than just their child." [emphasis added]

 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-follow-a-vaccine-schedule-2020032619271

 

 

26 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Studies have shown vaccines are safe, eradicating childhood diseases such as polio and measles in the U.S. Over the last 50 years, it is estimated that essential vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives, UNICEF USA President & CEO Michael J. Nyenhuis has said."

Two idiots in charge of the US and health and neither of them has a working brain cell between them......god save America....

 

 

 

This is what the current website of the U.S. Health and Human Services agency -- the one currently headed by Kennedy -- says about the safety of ingredients in child vaccines -- at least until Kennedy and Co. get around to anti-vaxing it:

 

Vaccine Ingredients

"Today’s vaccines use only the ingredients they need to be safe and effective.

 

A note on vaccine safety
Vaccines go through comprehensive safety and effectiveness testing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) looks at the results of these tests to decide whether to license the vaccine for use in the United States.

...

Can vaccines with thimerosal cause mercury poisoning?

A: No. Thimerosal has a different form of mercury (ethylmercury) than the kind that causes mercury poisoning (methylmercury). It’s safe to use ethylmercury in vaccines because it’s less likely to build up in the body — and because it’s used in very, very small amounts. Even so, most vaccines do not have any thimerosal in them. If you’re concerned about thimerosal or mercury in vaccines, talk with your doctor.

...

Is the formaldehyde used in some vaccines dangerous?

A: No. If formaldehyde is used to help produce a vaccine, only very small amounts are left in the final product. This amount is so small that it’s not dangerous — in fact, there’s actually more formaldehyde found naturally in our bodies than there is in vaccines made with formaldehyde.

Is the aluminum used in some vaccines dangerous?

A: No. Vaccines made with aluminum have only a very small amount of aluminum in them. For decades, vaccines that include aluminum have been tested for safety — these studies have shown that using aluminum in vaccines is safe."

 

https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/basics/vaccine-ingredients/index.html

 

 

WAPO hit piece - lies and distortions - reminds me of 2015/2017.

 

I thought JFK and POTUS were against MRNA vaccines for young children - not those proven safe over many years of devlopment and trials - you know - like viral vector vaccines.  

 

WAPO had been discredited so many times - they are Trump Hating Media Fanatics.

56 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

“This is based on what I feel,” Trump said at one point

 

That's a serious failing of Trump.  He is unable to contain himself.  He needs to express his feelings, and have them heard.  He needs an audience, and is compelled to offer his opinion on every subject, in none of which he is qualified.

 

"So supposing we hit the body with a tremendous — whether it's ultraviolet or just a very powerful light — and I think you said that hasn't been checked because of the testing," Trump said, speaking to Bryan during the briefing. "And then I said, supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or some other way, and I think you said you're going to test that, too."

 

"I see the disinfectant that knocks it out in a minute, one minute. And is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning? As you see, it gets in the lungs, it does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that."

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-suggests-injection-disinfectant-beat-coronavirus-clean-lungs-n1191216

 

It's as though Americans had voted Dunning-Kruger over Harris-Walz in the last election.

RFK Jr.:

 

RFK Jr. says people should not take medical advice from him

May 15, 2025

 

"Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of the nation's most publicly recognized vaccine skeptics, took a softened approach on vaccines when he answered questions before a House committee Wednesday morning, saying, "I don't think people should be taking medical advice from me."

 

 

 

And yet, here he is, prodding Trump to follow his anti-fax agenda, risking the health of children and adults too!

 

 

6 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

WAPO hit piece - lies and distortions - reminds me of 2015/2017.

 

I thought JFK and POTUS were against MRNA vaccines for young children - not those proven safe over many years of devlopment and trials - you know - like viral vector vaccines.  

 

WAPO had been discredited so many times - they are Trump Hating Media Fanatics.

 

And yet somehow, the Post is providing a correct and accurate account of just what Trump and RFK Jr. are proposing, and what the scientific evidence says about their plans. Just the same as Reuters (as posted above) and all the other major news outlets covering the topic.

 

 

More comedy from the White House on an otherwise pathetically sad day:

Trump mispronounces acetaminophen in unproven Tylenol-autism claim

Tuesday 23 September 2025

 

• "President Donald Trump and RFK Jr. made an unproven claim suggesting a link between paracetamol (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism.
   
• Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump struggled to pronounce “acetaminophen”, the active ingredient, as he advised pregnant women to only take the drug in extreme cases.
  ...
• The manufacturer of Tylenol and medical experts have strongly disputed these claims, stating that paracetamol remains the safest drug for fever and pain during pregnancy."

https://www.the-independent.com/bulletin/news/trump-acetaminophen-tylenol-autism-claim-video-b2831851.html

 

 

‘Ah-ced-uv… let’s see’: Trump stumbles over ‘acetaminophen’ at White House autism briefing

"During a White House Rose Garden briefing on autism spectrum disorder, President Donald Trump struggled to pronounce ‘acetaminophen,’ the common pain reliever in Tylenol. The event, meant to highlight new research linking prenatal Tylenol use to higher autism risk, was overshadowed by his verbal stumble. Trump paused over his notes, attempting multiple pronunciations, drawing laughter from officials and reporters, turning the intended research update into a viral moment."

 

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/ah-ced-uv-lets-see-trump-stumbles-over-acetaminophen-at-white-house-autism-briefing/videoshow/124074172.cms?from=mdr

 

 

7 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

RFK Jr. says people should not take medical advice from him

May 15, 2025

 

"Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of the nation's most publicly recognized vaccine skeptics, took a softened approach on vaccines when he answered questions before a House committee Wednesday morning, saying, "I don't think people should be taking medical advice from me."

 

And yet, here he is, prodding Trump to follow his anti-fax agenda, risking the health of children and adults too!

 

Yep, I got it.  According to you it's never OK when it's coming from RFK jr, as you keep on reminding us that he is not a doctor.

Note: And doctors are reminded that they are not virologists or vaccinologists, and virologists - like dr Robert Redfield, former CDC director - are reminded that they are 'just loons' when they are not fully aligned with your Pro-Vax stance.

"I don't think people should be taking medical advice from me."  is actually very sage advice and that people should have a choice and take responsibility for their health.  It's also what Florida's Surgeon General  Joe Ladapo is advocating by removing ALL vax-mandates. 

 

8 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

...

And yet somehow, the Post is providing a correct and accurate account of just what Trump and RFK Jr. are proposing, and what the scientific evidence says about their plans. Just the same as Reuters (as posted above) and all the other major news outlets covering the topic.

 

And of course the reporting of all the Major News outlets is Gospel.  

Luckily we now have access to video-recordings of what was actually said, and do not have to rely on the "correct and accurate" account of the mainstream media, but can make up our own mind by watching the recordings.  You only need to do that a couple of times in order to start realizing the msm have an Agenda and are pushing their biased version.  That can trigger you to start a search for unbiased information-providers, which of course - according to the MSM - are 'not trustworthy'.  An interesting journey full of surprises...   

I watched the whole briefing directly uncut from the Whitehouse Utube feed,

despite all the hoo-ha

generated above on this thread not too much was actually changed or revealed...so it was a little disappointing, however

studies are ongoing this being the first chapter still waiting for the bombshell announcement.

At least the first steps have been taken on a probably long and rocky path.

10 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

More comedy from the White House on an otherwise pathetically sad day:

Trump mispronounces acetaminophen in unproven Tylenol-autism claim

Tuesday 23 September 2025

 

• "President Donald Trump and RFK Jr. made an unproven claim suggesting a link between paracetamol (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism.
   
• Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump struggled to pronounce “acetaminophen”, the active ingredient, as he advised pregnant women to only take the drug in extreme cases.
  ...
• The manufacturer of Tylenol and medical experts have strongly disputed these claims, stating that paracetamol remains the safest drug for fever and pain during pregnancy."

https://www.the-independent.com/bulletin/news/trump-acetaminophen-tylenol-autism-claim-video-b2831851.html

 

 

‘Ah-ced-uv… let’s see’: Trump stumbles over ‘acetaminophen’ at White House autism briefing

"During a White House Rose Garden briefing on autism spectrum disorder, President Donald Trump struggled to pronounce ‘acetaminophen,’ the common pain reliever in Tylenol. The event, meant to highlight new research linking prenatal Tylenol use to higher autism risk, was overshadowed by his verbal stumble. Trump paused over his notes, attempting multiple pronunciations, drawing laughter from officials and reporters, turning the intended research update into a viral moment."

 

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/ah-ced-uv-lets-see-trump-stumbles-over-acetaminophen-at-white-house-autism-briefing/videoshow/124074172.cms?from=mdr

 

 

As many have said, Trump is as dumb as a bag of rocks and he continues to prove it, what with this, his interpretation of how tariffs work and his garbling about percentages and what % he will bring down the price of drugs.........he leads a complete clown show.

The guy is president of the USA. You would think he would at least practice saying acetaminophen before he gives a major "proclamation".  Just once again looks like the fool. 

 

 

2 minutes ago, marin said:

The guy is president of the USA. You would think he would at least practice saying acetaminophen before he gives a major "proclamation".  Just once again looks like the fool. 

 

 

 

Yup, his predecessor Biden was of course far more articulate and would/could not have made such statement.  

A reminder that the COVID news subforum here is focused on COVID and related health discussions, and the local forum rule specifies that this is not the place for "any form of political discussion."  So please stay focused primarily  on the health aspects of this topic and the people involved in it.

 

On 9/24/2025 at 12:32 AM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

More comedy from the White House on an otherwise pathetically sad day:

Trump mispronounces acetaminophen in unproven Tylenol-autism claim

Tuesday 23 September 2025

 

• "President Donald Trump and RFK Jr. made an unproven claim suggesting a link between paracetamol (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism.
   
• Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump struggled to pronounce “acetaminophen”, the active ingredient, as he advised pregnant women to only take the drug in extreme cases.
  ...
• The manufacturer of Tylenol and medical experts have strongly disputed these claims, stating that paracetamol remains the safest drug for fever and pain during pregnancy."

https://www.the-independent.com/bulletin/news/trump-acetaminophen-tylenol-autism-claim-video-b2831851.html

 

 

‘Ah-ced-uv… let’s see’: Trump stumbles over ‘acetaminophen’ at White House autism briefing

"During a White House Rose Garden briefing on autism spectrum disorder, President Donald Trump struggled to pronounce ‘acetaminophen,’ the common pain reliever in Tylenol. The event, meant to highlight new research linking prenatal Tylenol use to higher autism risk, was overshadowed by his verbal stumble. Trump paused over his notes, attempting multiple pronunciations, drawing laughter from officials and reporters, turning the intended research update into a viral moment."

 

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/ah-ced-uv-lets-see-trump-stumbles-over-acetaminophen-at-white-house-autism-briefing/videoshow/124074172.cms?from=mdr

 

 

Not very bright......