RFK Jr. Unleashes the Guillotine On Tylenol with Autism Claims (Kenvue Gets Body-Bagged)

Kenvue shareholders be like: "Some men just want to watch the world burn…” 

Well one thing is for sure this weekend, Wall Street did not LOL after RFK Jr.’s latest big pharma guillotine. Shares of Kenvue got body slammed (read: -10%) Friday after reports surfaced that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is about to drop a bomb linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to autism. Yeah, the same Tylenol that half of America pops like Tic Tacs.

(Source: Giphy) 

In short, according to WSJ, Kennedy’s HHS is preparing a report that will suggest a connection between prenatal Tylenol use and autism, and even float folate-derived meds as a potential treatment. Kenvue, of course, is scrambling to do damage control, repeating that it has “continuously evaluated the science” and sees “no causal link.” And they’ve got back-up: the FDA and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists both say acetaminophen is safe in pregnancy when used appropriately. Translation: the medical establishment isn’t cosigning RFK’s Big Tylenol takedown.

(Source: CNBC) 

But, but, but… there’s just one small problem… narrative risk is often worse than scientific risk. For instance, the FDA already fought off a wave of lawsuits trying to tie acetaminophen to autism, with a federal judge tossing them in 2023 for lack of evidence. Still, lawsuits don’t trend on Facebook. “Tylenol causes autism” does. And once that sticks in the public consciousness, you can’t just issue a press release and wish it away.

Meanwhile, Kenvue’s stock is already down bad, losing nearly half its value since spinning out of J&J last year. Now it’s staring down the barrel of headlines that could make Tylenol look like the next tobacco. Even if the science says otherwise, trial lawyers and state AGs are probably salivating. So, WTF does this mean for investors? Simple: We all just got a free reminder that consumer health isn’t bulletproof. You can have a brand as mainstream as Tylenol…grandma’s go-to, pediatricians’ default recommendation… and one government report can turn it into the next corporate liability case study. Kenvue can say “safe” all it wants, but until RFK Jr. logs off, markets are going to keep pricing in risk.

(Source: Giphy) 

Meaning, if you’re holding Kenvue going into next week #1. My heart goes out to you after yesterday's blood bath, and #2. You must be betting that science wins out over vibes. Which is definitely risky, considering that in 2025 America… that’s not exactly the safe trade it used to be. Sorry not sorry. Until next time, friends… 

At the time of publishing, Stocks.News holds positions in Johnson and Johnson as mentioned in the article.