Publications

Trump’s statements about acetaminophen and the problem of epistemic corrections

Germani F., Spitale G., Caplan A. L. (2026) BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, bmjebm-2025-114372 10.1136/bmjebm-2025-114372

In two lines

When Trump linked acetaminophen (paracetamol) in pregnancy to autism, many replies simply called the claim false; we argue the better answer is that it lacks methodological justification. Explaining how evidence is weighed, rather than issuing a true-or-false verdict, protects public trust as the evidence evolves.

Abstract

Public reactions to Trump’s claims linking prenatal acetaminophen use to autism highlight the importance of distinguishing between falsehood and the absence of methodological justification. While current evidence does not establish a causal link, responses framed solely in binary true–false terms may overlook how justification works for reaching evidence-based conclusions. We argue that effective correction should emphasize methodological reliability, thereby strengthening public understanding and trust as evidence evolves.

Paywalled version (BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine): https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjebm-2025-114372

Submitted version archived on Zenodo to guarantee Green OA in accordance with the journal’s policies: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18621354

The authors do not have access to the published version due to missing read and publish agreements between their University and the publisher. Absurd and funny, right?

Cite

Germani, F., Spitale, G., & Caplan, A. L. (2026). Trump’s statements about acetaminophen and the problem of epistemic corrections. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, bmjebm-2025-114372. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjebm-2025-114372
@article{germani2026trumps,
  author  = {Germani, F. and Spitale, G. and Caplan, A. L.},
  title   = {{Trump’s statements about acetaminophen and the problem of epistemic corrections}},
  journal = {BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine},
  year    = {2026},
  pages   = {bmjebm--2025--114372},
  doi     = {10.1136/bmjebm-2025-114372}
}

Published in

BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine

Year

2026

DOI

10.1136/bmjebm-2025-114372

Topics