Has America turned its back on science?

Has America turned its back on science?

Author: The Times September 23, 2025 Duration: 34:23

President Trump has publicly linked the use of Tylenol, or paracetamol, during pregnancy to an increased risk of autism, despite experts saying the connection is unproven. The extraordinary announcement came after months of dramatic changes at US public health bodies, spearheaded by the health secretary and vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr. So, how did health become politicised in America? And could the same thing happen in the UK? 


This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory


Guests: David Charter, assistant editor (US), The Times, Tom Whipple, science writer and special correspondent, The Times.

Host: Rosie Wright. 

Producers: Micaela Arneson and Shabnam Grewal. 

Read more: Trump to claim taking Tylenol in pregnancy is linked to autism

Further listening: The momfluencers embracing ‘Make America Healthy Again

Clips: Forbes Breaking News, NBC News, WHAS11, PBS Newshour,New York Post, Joe Rogan Experience, Lex Fridman, Club Random with Bill Maher, MSNBC, ABC News, ITV News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com   

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
Is political violence America's new normal? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:55
White House correspondents' dinner shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president. The White House says Saturday’s attack is the third 'assassination attempt' on Donald Tr…
Can King Charles fix the special relationship? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:22
This episode was recorded before the events at the White House Correspondents’ Association on Saturday.King Charles arrives in America today for a state visit to mark the country’s 250th birthday. But with US-UK relation…
Can rugby survive its head injury problem? - The Sunday Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:28
Shane Christie was one of the brightest rugby stars in New Zealand before suffering multiple concussions, leading to a brain injury that would slowly take everything from him. And his experience is far from unique. In th…
The fight for the "trillion dollar maps" - The Saturday Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:36
Hidden in a quiet Belgian archive, century-old colonial maps of the Democratic Republic of Congo may hold the key to an estimated $24 trillion in untapped minerals. Now the United States, backed by Trump, together with t…
Is the American Dream dying? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:40
The American Dream is as old as the United States itself. But as the country marks its 250th anniversary, with economic uncertainty, political turbulence and social divisions all on the rise, do ordinary Americans still…
Is Lebanon the key to peace in the Middle East? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:58
The shaky ceasefire between Iran and the US has been extended. Whether it lasts much longer or fighting resumes depends partly on Lebanon, where another fragile truce has been struck between Israel and the Iranian proxy…
The State Of It: Starmer picks a fight with the wrong guy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:36
Sir Olly Robbins dropped bombshell after bombshell when he spoke to MPs. Robbins, who was sacked as the Foreign Office’s chief civil servant, has accused Downing Street of placing the department under constant pressure t…
Starmer strikes back over Mandelson vetting scandal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:31
Yesterday evening Sir Keir Starmer defended himself in Parliament, stating ‘the facts are incredible,’ but ‘nobody’ in Number 10 knew that Peter Mandelson failed security vetting. Addressing MPs, the prime minister rejec…