WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Sunday teased what he called a “very important” announcement on autism, fuelling speculation about a fresh controversy over health claims. Speaking at a memorial event for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona, Trump told the audience, “I think we found an answer to autism,” calling the forthcoming disclosure “one of the most important things that we will do.” He repeated the remark, saying it would be a “very important announcement,” but declined to elaborate, promising to discuss solutions in the Oval Office. The comments came a day after Trump said the planned revelation would rank among his administration’s top priorities. The president’s remarks have triggered renewed debate as his health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, has previously courted criticism for promoting unproven links between autism and certain medicines. Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Kennedy was preparing to announce a potential link between the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder, a neurodevelopmental condition marked by social and communication difficulties and repetitive behaviors. Trump, Kennedy have in the past suggested connections between autism, vaccines and other medications despite a lack of scientific evidence. Health experts and researchers have consistently rejected such claims as unfounded and potentially harmful.
