Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has come under fire for his recent remarks suggesting a link between circumcision and autism, which he later clarified was focused on the use of painkillers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) post-procedure, rather than the surgery itself. The comments, made during a cabinet meeting, sparked immediate backlash from scientists and lawmakers, with many deeming the theory unsubstantiated and potentially dangerous. Kennedy stated that studies indicate a higher rate of autism in children circumcised early, but emphasized that this was not proof and that further research was necessary. He framed autism as a national security issue, tying it to countries with increased use of acetaminophen during pregnancy. This stance has led to criticism, with accusations that his remarks border on dangerous conspiracy theories and potentially antisemitic. Prominent scientists, including Dr. Peter Hotez and Helen Tager-Flusberg, have dismissed the theory as absurd, with the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting there is no conclusive evidence linking acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism. Kennedy, who is known for his advocacy on vaccine safety and questioning the WHO’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, faced additional scrutiny for his comments on social media, where he criticized media outlets for misrepresenting his statements and mocked a pregnant woman on TikTok for using Tylenol, labeling her behavior as ‘Trump derangement syndrome.’