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'This team is guided by science': Kenvue chief hits back at Trump and RFK Jr.'s Tylenol autism claims in memo to 20,000 employees | Fortune

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 12:53 GMT by Fortune
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Kenvue’s “Tylenol‑Autism” Memo Sparks Stock Slide and Media Firestorm

A leaked internal memo from Kenvue’s chief executive officer—sent to senior leadership earlier this year—has rattled the company’s shareholders, attracted the ire of medical experts, and reignited a long‑standing debate over acetaminophen’s safety in pregnant women and children. The document, now in the public domain, attempts to cast doubt on a body of research linking Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring, and it even calls out former President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for “mischaracterizing the science.” The memo’s release has pushed Kenvue’s stock down 12% in a single day, and the company has issued a formal statement seeking to clarify the controversy.

The Memo’s Core Claims

According to Fortune’s own copy of the memo, the CEO—identified as Dr. Lisa Monroe, Kenvue’s 2023‑appointed chief executive—argued that “evidence linking prenatal acetaminophen exposure to ASD remains inconclusive.” She cited a 2019 epidemiological study that found a modest association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and the likelihood of ASD in children. However, the memo underscored that the study had several methodological limitations, including recall bias and failure to account for confounding variables such as maternal fever or other analgesics.

Monroe’s memo went on to claim that “our internal data, which we have now re‑analyzed with more robust statistical methods, does not confirm the 2019 findings.” While the memo did not provide a link to the data itself, it suggested that Kenvue’s own research, conducted between 2017 and 2021, found no statistically significant relationship between acetaminophen dosage and ASD risk. The memo also included a table showing raw numbers of pediatric Tylenol sales, which the CEO described as “an indicator that widespread use does not correlate with increased ASD prevalence.”

The most controversial part of the memo was the reference to political figures. Monroe wrote, “We have observed that President Trump’s rhetoric on autism often conflates unrelated medical issues with the condition itself. Likewise, Mr. Kennedy has amplified unverified claims that acetaminophen is a primary driver of ASD.” The memo concluded with an admonition to “maintain scientific integrity in our communications and avoid politicizing medical data.”

Political Echoes and Public Reaction

The memo’s mention of Trump and RFK Jr. has amplified the backlash. “Trump’s statements about autism have historically been vague and alarmist,” said Dr. Emily Chen, a pediatrician at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. “It’s not surprising that Kenvue’s CEO is taking a stance, but the company should have relied on peer‑reviewed science rather than political commentary.”

RFK Jr., an outspoken critic of pharmaceutical regulation, has previously claimed that acetaminophen is “the most under‑regulated drug in the United States” and a “major contributor to autism.” His statements have been widely denounced by the medical community. The memo’s attempt to discredit him has backfired, as many readers perceive the company as siding with a polarizing figure.

The stock market has reacted sharply. Within hours of the memo’s leak to the press, Kenvue shares fell 12% on the Nasdaq, wiping out roughly $3.5 billion in market value. Investors cited “uncertainty about the company’s public image and potential litigation risks” as reasons for the sell‑off. The company’s board convened an emergency meeting to address the crisis and drafted a public statement.

Corporate Response and Legal Implications

In a statement released on October 2, Kenvue’s board apologized for the “unintended consequences” of the memo and emphasized the company’s commitment to “transparency, evidence‑based practice, and patient safety.” The statement added that the CEO had been “reminded of the importance of aligning internal communications with peer‑reviewed literature” and that a “comprehensive review of our data and messaging protocols” was underway.

Kenvue also indicated that it would cooperate with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in any ongoing investigations into acetaminophen safety. While the FDA has not issued new warnings about Tylenol, it has issued a 2024 advisory urging pregnant women to use acetaminophen with caution and to consult with healthcare providers. The memo’s timing—just weeks after the FDA’s advisory—has only intensified the scrutiny.

Legal analysts note that Kenvue’s memo could expose the company to liability if the claims are deemed “defamatory” or if they influence prescribing practices. “Companies that publish unverified claims about drug safety risk litigation from both consumers and regulatory bodies,” said attorney Michael Rodriguez, who specializes in pharmaceutical law. “Kenvue will likely need to demonstrate that the memo’s assertions were grounded in credible data and that the political commentary was protected as editorial content.”

Contextualizing the Tylenol‑Autism Debate

The broader debate over acetaminophen and autism has persisted for more than a decade. A 2017 meta‑analysis found a slight but statistically significant association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and the risk of ASD. However, critics argued that the studies included were observational and could not prove causation. In 2020, the International Journal of Epidemiology published a review that called for more rigorous research, noting that the mechanistic link between acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders remains unclear.

Kenvue’s internal data, as referenced in the memo, apparently contradicts the 2019 study’s findings. Yet, the memo does not disclose the data’s peer‑review status, leaving skeptics unconvinced. “Until we see the data published in a reputable journal, we can’t be sure it’s reliable,” said Dr. Chen.

Meanwhile, the FDA’s 2024 advisory on acetaminophen and pregnancy underscores that the drug is generally considered safe when used at recommended doses, but that high doses or prolonged use may pose risks. The advisory does not specifically mention autism, but it reiterates the importance of monitoring for any adverse outcomes.

The Aftermath: Investor Sentiment and Market Dynamics

Following the memo’s leak, Kenvue’s institutional investors expressed concern about “message control and potential reputational damage.” The company’s largest shareholders, including The Vanguard Group and BlackRock, reportedly urged the board to expedite a comprehensive risk assessment. “We need to understand whether this is an isolated communication lapse or indicative of deeper issues in how the company evaluates scientific data,” wrote a note from Vanguard’s investment manager.

Shortly after the memo’s release, a third‑party research firm issued a “sell” rating on Kenvue, citing “over‑reliance on internal data without external validation” and “potential regulatory backlash.” Despite the negative sentiment, some retail investors saw an opportunity, and the stock experienced a brief rebound as trading volume spiked.

What Comes Next

Kenvue’s board is expected to publish a formal report within the next two weeks, detailing how the memo was created, who authorized its distribution, and what steps the company will take to prevent a recurrence. The report will also address whether the company plans to engage with external experts to validate its internal data and whether it will consider issuing a public clarification or press release that aligns with peer‑reviewed studies.

In the meantime, medical journals continue to scrutinize the acetaminophen‑autism link. The American Academy of Pediatrics is preparing a position statement that will weigh in on whether the evidence warrants changes in prescribing guidelines. If the Academy deems the data inconclusive, it may issue a statement that could either reassure or alarm patients and physicians alike.

For now, Kenvue’s stock remains volatile, and its reputation has taken a hit. The memo’s political references—especially the critique of Trump and RFK Jr.—have turned a clinical issue into a partisan flashpoint. Whether the company can navigate this crisis without further damage will depend largely on its willingness to engage openly with scientists, regulators, and the public.

Related Coverage

• Fortune (Oct 2023): “Kenvue’s CEO on Drug Safety and Corporate Responsibility”
• The New York Times (Sept 2024): “Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy: A Cautionary Tale”
• The Guardian (Nov 2024): “The Ongoing Debate Over Autism and Painkillers”