Senators Press FDA Official on Trump’s Tylenol Autism Claim, Vaccine Policy and Flavored Vapes

Senators questioned an administration official about President Trump’s claims linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, proposals to split combination vaccines, and the FDA’s decision to allow flavored e-cigarettes.

Senator Challenges Administration’s Response to Tylenol Claim

“Senator, the president is asking questions of the American people right now and hoping for the best outcome,” the official said.

Sen. Hassan then pressed Overton on Trump’s false claim that taking Tylenol during pregnancy is linked to autism in children.

“Did he say the wrong thing? Yes or no?” Hassan asked.

Overton did not directly answer. Instead, the official said, “There is currently no evidence of a causal relationship between Tylenol and autism.”

“I wish it wasn’t so difficult for members of the administration to say unequivocally that the president is wrong,” Hassan said. “And it’s really alarming to me that you’re being vague about that here.”

Senator Questions Vaccine-Splitting Proposal

Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Delaware, also asked about claims Trump made in August regarding vaccines. She noted that Overton had reportedly suggested to Trump that a combination vaccine could be given in multiple doses.

Even if there were reason to believe splitting a vaccine could improve its safety or effectiveness, each individual vaccine would require substantial investment and years of testing before receiving approval in the United States.

“Obviously, I think these were good options, right?” Blunt Rochester asked.

Overton responded that, in the official’s current role, the job is to give President Trump options.

“You wouldn’t have prepared any bad options, would you?” Blunt Rochester asked.

Overton again did not directly answer. “It’s just a simple question,” Blunt Rochester interjected. “I thought this was an easy question.”

She also asked whether Overton had reviewed the data on splitting the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, or whether the current doses were the size of soda bottles. Overton again did not answer directly.

Questions About Flavored E-Cigarettes and FDA Policy

The FDA has been without a commissioner since May, when Marty McCulley resigned after reportedly facing pressure from President Trump to approve flavored e-cigarettes.

The products appear to be marketed primarily to young people. The FDA announced in early May that flavored e-cigarettes would be allowed to be sold despite bipartisan opposition.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, outlined a timeline involving Reynolds, one of the nation’s largest tobacco companies:

On Thursday afternoon, April 30, Reynolds, one of the nation’s largest tobacco companies, donated $8 million to the president. Two days later, on Saturday, thanks to that donation, they had lunch with the president and told him they wanted to see changes to FDA rules, especially regarding flavored e-cigarettes. The president calls the FDA commissioner, calls the FDA commissioner, [the health department], and three days later, on Tuesday, new guidance was issued paving the way for the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.

Murphy asked Overton whether there was a connection between the donations and the policy changes, and whether Overton believed that was how the FDA should function.

“I refuse to frame that question,” Overton said, adding that Trump is “committed to the best outcome for the American people.”