Washington/UN – President Donald J. Trump—never knowingly under-briefed—pit-stopped at the UN and treated delegates to a greatest-hits medley: London is going Sharia, Sadiq Khan is terrible, and paracetamol causes autism.
The Mayor of London, being tethered to reality, called the remarks “bigoted” and “appalling”, while British officials rolled their eyes so hard Heathrow filed a noise complaint.
On the meds claim, the scientific establishment responded with the bedside manner of a brick: there’s no causal evidence that ordinary, directed use of paracetamol in pregnancy causes autism. US and UK reporting stressed the claim is unfounded, with clinicians pointing out that fever in pregnancy—not treating it—carries known risks. The Society for Maternal-Foetal Medicine said the evidence for a causal link is “inconclusive” and that acetaminophen, used as directed, remains appropriate. The UK Health Secretary said much the same, publicly swatting the theory away.
Still, the White House comms machine strained to retrofit policy onto the President’s hunches, waving at “mounting evidence” and shiny new “guidance”. Scientists replied, ‘Show your workings.’ (Spoiler: not shown.)
The White House Conspiracy Machine
Meanwhile, back in Media-land, Jimmy Kimmel briefly vanished from ABC after a monologue around the murder of Charlie Kirk prompted corporate flutters and a round of performative outrage. The FCC’s Carr mused about licences (then said, “Not like that”), affiliates baulked, Hollywood screamed “censorship”, and Disney marched Kimmel back on air within days. Everyone claimed victory; viewers got whiplash.
Facts the spin can’t fix
Sharia-London? No. It’s a recycled scare line. Khan governs under UK law; Trump’s claim is evidence-free grandstanding.
Paracetamol-autism? The mainstream view: no proven causal link for typical, directed use in pregnancy. Health orgs advise it remains safe when used as directed; don’t scare pregnant people off needed fever control.
