The internet had a fiery response Friday to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s bizarre plans to announce research revealing a potential connection between an over-the-counter medication and pregnancy — dubbing him an "insane clown" and "fool."
Kennedy is facing an avalanche of criticism from MAGA faithful and Democrats after he was eviscerated by lawmakers during an explosive Thursday hearing.
Users on X and Bluesky didn't hesitate to respond to the unfounded claims as stocks for Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, dropped more than 15% following news of the announcement.
"As if pregnant women don't have enough to feel anxious and guilty about. Now it's taking painkillers," Josie Ensor, Chief U.S. Reporter for The Times, wrote on X.
"Are you old enough to remember the first Tylenol scare? Anyway insane clown RFK is claiming it's causing Autism in pregnancy and $KVUE just lost 10%," trader Tom Heardon wrote on X.
"F--- RFK Jr. He's intentionally putting women at risk with this bs. There is plenty of evidence that autism occurred in humans long before we invented Tylenol. He's targeting it because Tylenol is the only pain reliever pregnant women are allowed. Make women suffer. That's what he's instructing," writer Denise Wheeler posted on Bluesky.
"STFU RFK..I never used tylenol while pregnant you pos. Leave medical and medicinal investigations to scientist and doctors. YOU gotdam fool," @Mariposa_universe posted on Bluesky.
"Fun fact: my pregnant sister is on daily Tylenol to reduce her risk of preeclampsia. F--- you, RFK Jr. F---ing lunatic," privacy and tech attorney Brandi Bennett wrote on Bluesky.
"So, brainworm dips---- RFK Jr is planning to announce that the ONLY painkiller a woman can take while pregnant causes autism. I wanna say the violent things I want to do to this man, but I can't," gamer and LGBT advocate Ann Valentine wrote on Bluesky.
"You’ve got to be shi----- me. This is a slap in the face to every woman who has ever been pregnant. How dare RFK Jr. target mothers with fear and misinformation? There is no proven link between Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism. Tylenol is one of the few safe medications available for pain and discomfort during pregnancy, and now it’s being demonized without evidence. This isn’t public health. It’s reckless fearmongering," Nisha Patel, MD MS posted on X.
No reputable research has found a connection between autism and vaccines.
McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of Kenvue, disputes that using Tylenol during pregnancy could potentially cause autism.