Donald Trump’s autism announcement during Charlie Kirk’s funeral sparks backlash

United States President Donald Trump made an announcement about autism during Charlie Kirk’s funeral on Sunday (21 September), and it's sparked major backlash online.

Trump shared the news at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, during the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder's memorial service after he was fatally shot in the neck on 10 September by suspected shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.

Praising Kirk, who the 79-year-old Republican claimed 'helped unite MAGA', the president then told the audience: "You know what 'MAHA' is? That's right, Make America Healthy Again."

Mid-tribute to Kirk, Trump made the bold declaration: "I think you’re going to find it to be amazing. I think we found an answer to autism, how about that?"

Dubbing the announcement one of the biggest in the 'history of the country', Trump said he will hold a news conference on Monday (22 September) with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Taking the time to talk about the upcoming announcement, the Republican told the crowd of thousands: "We're going to be talking in the Oval Office in the White House about autism, how it happens.

"So, we won't let it happen anymore, and how to get at least somewhat better when you have it, so that parents can help their child."

He then returned to talking about the late right-wing activist.

According to both Politico and The Washington Post, the Trump administration is expected to announce that Tylenol use during pregnancy could contribute to the development of autism in children.

Trump and his advisers alike are also expected to discuss a potential treatment for autism, the drug leucovorin, the news outlets reported.

The announcement sparked major backlash online, with one social media user hitting out: "During a funeral??????"

"Imagine turning your friend's funeral into your own personal rally," penned another, while a third added: "This is so dystopian."

As per CNN, Tylenol’s manufacturer, Kenvue, said in a statement: "Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy.

"Without it, women face dangerous choices: suffer through conditions like fever that are potentially harmful to both mom and baby or use riskier alternatives."

The company added: "The facts are that over a decade of rigorous research, endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators, confirms there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism.

"We stand with the many public health and medical professionals who have reviewed this science and agree. We will continue to explore all options to protect the health interests of American women and children."

RFK Jr. is well known for his extremely controversial and unfounded claims surrounding what he calls the 'autism epidemic' - something which he has previously pledged to 'eliminate' in just a few months.

He is also known for his staunch anti-vaccine views and has spread debunked claims that vaccines cause autism.

Back in April, the 71-year-old said during a meeting of Trump's Cabinet that he expects his agency will be able to find the cause of such an 'epidemic' by September.

"At your direction, we are going to know by September," he said. "We've launched a massive testing and research effort that's going to involve hundreds of scientists from around the world."

RFK Jr. continued: "In September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and we'll be able to eliminate those exposures."

For decades now, scientists have been researching what genetic or environmental factors might contribute to autism which has seen diagnoses in the States increase significantly since the year 2000.

Such experts have said that some of the major drivers behind the recent increase in autism rates in the US are an expanded definition of the condition that includes more types of behaviours as well as more widespread awareness and diagnoses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also previously explained that several studies have investigated whether there is a connection between vaccines and autism and 'to date, the studies continue to show that vaccines are not associated with' autism.