Donald Trump's UN Address Sparks UK Outcry Over Sharia Law and Autism Claims

Controversial Remarks at the UN General Assembly

Former US President Donald Trump delivered a contentious address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, making several unsubstantiated claims that provoked immediate and widespread condemnation from figures across the United Kingdom. His remarks included assertions that London was seeking to implement Sharia law and an unproven link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism.

London's 'Sharia Law' Claim Draws Fierce Rebuttal

During his speech, Mr. Trump renewed his long-standing feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, stating, 'I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor, and it's been so changed, so changed. Now they want to go to Sharia law. But you are in a different country, you can't do that.' This claim was part of a broader narrative where he also suggested Europe was being 'invaded by a force of illegal aliens.'

A spokesperson for Mayor Sadiq Khan swiftly dismissed the comments, stating, 'We are not going to dignify his appalling and bigoted comments with a response. London is the greatest city in the world, safer than major US cities, and we're delighted to welcome the record number of US citizens moving here.' Other UK politicians also voiced strong objections:

• Health Secretary Wes Streeting defended Mayor Khan, asserting that he 'is not trying to impose sharia law on London.'
• Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq described Mr. Trump's comments as 'blatant bare-faced lies.'
• Rosena Allin-Khan, MP for Tooting, called for the US ambassador to be summoned over the remarks.

Paracetamol-Autism Link Dismissed by Medical Experts

Mr. Trump also sparked alarm by claiming a link between paracetamol (known as Tylenol in the US) and autism, urging pregnant women to limit its use. He stated, 'I want to say it like it is, don't take Tylenol,' and encouraged women to 'just fight like hell not to take it,' adding that his claims were 'based on what I feel.' He suggested the US Food and Drug Administration would issue new guidance, recommending limiting its use during pregnancy unless medically necessary, such as for 'extremely high fever.'

This assertion was met with a unified rejection from UK health officials and medical experts:

• Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged pregnant women to 'pay no attention whatsoever' to Mr. Trump's remarks, stating, 'I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this,' and emphasizing that 'there is no evidence to link the use of paracetamol by pregnant women to autism in their children. None.'
• Dr. Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), affirmed, 'There is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children. Paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed.'
• Professor Claire Anderson, President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, stressed that 'paracetamol has been used safely by millions of people for decades, including during pregnancy, when taken as directed.'
• The National Autistic Society also voiced its alarm regarding Mr. Trump's claims.

Medical experts and scientists across the UK universally condemned Mr. Trump's claims as unproven and 'fearmongering,' highlighting that the largest and most rigorous studies have found no such link.