Up First – September 23, 2025

Podcast: Up First from NPR
Hosts: Layla Fadel, Michelle Martin
Main Stories: Autism and Tylenol, Jimmy Kimmel Returns, Trump at the UN

Overview

This episode of NPR’s Up First unpacks three major topics dominating the news:

• President Trump’s controversial statements and policy changes linking Tylenol to autism, and the scientific response.
• The return of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to ABC following a suspension over comments about Trump and the fallout around free speech.
• President Trump’s appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, amid America’s evolving diplomatic position on the recognition of a Palestinian state and ongoing international security concerns.

1. Trump’s Claims Linking Tylenol to Autism

Main Points:

• President Trump made public statements blaming Tylenol (acetaminophen) for causing autism, especially warning pregnant women to avoid it.
• He announced policy moves regarding warning labels for Tylenol and the expansion of a cancer drug for autism treatment with no formal approval process.
• NPR breaks down the scientific consensus, pointing out the lack of strong evidence behind these claims and highlighting expert opinions.

Timestamps & Key Insights:

• Introduction of Topic: 00:02–00:16

  • Quote – Donald Trump (00:05): "Taking Tylenol is not good. All right, I'll say it. It's not good."
  • Michelle Martin clarifies there is no scientific proof for Trump’s claim (00:12).

• Trump’s Statements & Proposed Policy: 03:03–03:23

  • Quote – Trump (03:11): "You shouldn't take it during the entire pregnancy... and you shouldn't give the child Tylenol... every time he goes and has a shot."
  • Trump suggests using a cancer drug (leucovorin/folinic acid) as an autism treatment, with immediate Medicaid coverage, despite lack of standard FDA review.

• Scientific Response: 03:32–06:32

  • John Hamilton, NPR's science correspondent, explains:
    • The FDA's official statement is less forceful, allowing for some Tylenol use when appropriate (03:47–04:15).
    • There’s no solid causal evidence linking acetaminophen to autism. Randomized controlled trials (the scientific “gold standard”) have not been conducted; existing studies are only potentially associative and inconsistent (05:04–05:34).
    • Genetics, not Tylenol, are the strongest predictor for autism, as explained with reference to recent sibling-based studies (05:34–06:01).
  • Quote – Ann Bauer (epidemiologist, 06:20): "The case is closed on vaccines. The case is still open on acetaminophen."
    • Bauer notes the risk, if any, remains highly uncertain and not actionable at this time.

Notable Moments:

• The FDA’s lack of formal process before implementing these label changes is called out by John Hamilton (04:15–04:32).
• The segment underscores the risk of politicizing health policy without scientific consensus.

2. Jimmy Kimmel Returns to ABC – Free Speech and Media Fallout

Main Points:

• Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show is reinstated on ABC following a week-long suspension after he mocked Trump’s reaction to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
• The suspension, celebrated by Trump and under FCC scrutiny, stirs a national debate about free speech, corporate responsibility, and governmental influence on media.
• While ABC restores Kimmel’s show, the Sinclair Broadcast Group will not air it in numerous markets.

Timestamps & Key Insights:

• Background: 06:44–07:18

  • Layla Fadel recaps the show's suspension after Kimmel's pointed monologue against Trump and “MAGA” using Kirk’s death for political leverage.
  • FCC chair Brendan Carr was accused of threatening affiliates over Kimmel’s comments (07:09).

• Reinstatement and Reaction: 07:26–09:52

  • Mandalit del Barco reports Disney’s initial concern was about inflaming tensions but decided to reinstate the show after discussions (07:26–08:10).
  • Sinclair’s decision to keep Kimmel off 30 local ABC channels means the show remains unavailable in many southern and midwestern markets (08:10).
  • FCC’s Brendan Carr denies making overt threats; his comments from the Concordia Summit are played (08:45).
    • Quote – Brendan Carr (08:45): "There’s a lot of Democrats out there that are engaged in a campaign of projection and distortion... misrepresenting the work of the FCC."
  • Democratic FCC member Anna Gomez calls Kimmel’s suspension "an alarming attack on the First Amendment" and thanks the broad coalition who spoke up for Kimmel (08:58).
  • Public and industry outcry included an open letter from 500 entertainers and bipartisan protests about the precedent for free speech (09:16).
  • Quote – Jon Stewart (09:52): "Jimmy Kimmel Live will return to air on ABC tomorrow, Tuesday night. Come on. Yes, sir. As well he should be."
  • Quote – Stephen Colbert (as recounted, 09:52): "Our long national late nightmare is over." Colbert jokes about being “the only martyr in late night” as his own CBS show faces cancellation.

3. Trump at the United Nations

Main Points:

• President Trump is in New York to address world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly.
• The US is increasingly isolated as more allies recognize Palestinian statehood, a position the US refuses to endorse.
• Tensions continue over the war in Ukraine, NATO’s response to Russian provocations, and US skepticism about multilateral diplomacy.

Timestamps & Key Insights:

• Trump Previews UN Visit: 00:36–00:43, 10:39–10:54
  • Quote – President Trump (10:47): "I'm going to meet with a lot of the leaders at the UN but one of probably 20 everybody wants to be, but I'm one person."
• Geopolitical Context: 11:03–12:43
  • Franco Ordoñez, NPR White House correspondent, details that the UK's and Canada's moves to recognize Palestine have "boxed [the US] out," increasing pressure on Israel and isolating the US (11:15).
  • Trump regards this as rewarding Hamas and insists on hostage release first, planning to press allies to be more proactive (11:15–11:34).
• UN Meetings and Global Conflict:
  • Trump is scheduled to meet with leaders from eight Middle Eastern and Muslim nations (including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia), Ukraine, Argentina, and the European Union (11:38–12:11).
  • Frustrations over Russia and Ukraine may lead to further talk of sanctions, but Trump often wants Europe to “do more first” (12:11).
  • Three Russian jets entered Estonia’s airspace, prompting an emergency UN Security Council meeting (12:23). Analysts worry a weak NATO response could embolden Moscow further. Ordoñez will monitor Trump’s position (12:23–12:43).
• Trump’s Attitude Toward the UN: 12:43–13:16
  • Trump has long been skeptical of multilateral institutions, cutting UN funding and preferring bilateral negotiations. The upcoming speech will highlight his views on the "decay" of globalist institutions (12:43–13:16).
• Upcoming Diplomatic Meetings: 13:19–13:54
  • Later in the week: meeting with Turkey’s President Erdogan, likely focusing on trade and Russia’s oil exports; planned meeting next week with Israel’s PM Netanyahu to resist international recognition of a Palestinian state (13:19–13:54).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Trump on Tylenol: (00:05)
  “Taking Tylenol is not good. All right, I'll say it. It's not good.”
• Ann Bauer (UMass epidemiologist): (06:20)
  “The case is closed on vaccines. The case is still open on acetaminophen.”
• Jon Stewart on Kimmel’s Return: (09:52)
  “Jimmy Kimmel Live will return to air on ABC tomorrow, Tuesday night. Come on. Yes, sir. As well he should be.”
• Stephen Colbert (as recounted): (09:52)
  “Our long national late nightmare is over.”
• Brendan Carr, FCC Chair: (08:45)
  “There’s a lot of Democrats out there that are engaged in a campaign of projection and distortion... misrepresenting the work of the FCC.”
• Trump on UN Meetings: (10:47)
  “I'm going to meet with a lot of the leaders at the UN but one of probably 20 everybody wants to be, but I'm one person.”

Summary Flow & Key Takeaways

• The episode confronts the increasing overlap of politics, health, and media: Trump’s health statements are rebuffed by science but are being pushed quickly into policy, stoking controversy among experts.
• Jimmy Kimmel’s abrupt removal and reinstatement ignite debate over free speech, political influence over media, and the limits of corporate caution, with strong reactions across the political and entertainment spectrum.
• At the UN, the US faces new diplomatic realities as former allies break ranks on Palestine; Trump remains skeptical of multilateralism, focusing on one-on-one negotiations and prioritizing US-centric foreign policy, while global security concerns over Russia and NATO continue to loom.

Episode Useful For:

• Listeners wanting a concise but detailed overview of current intersections between health misinformation, media freedom, and international diplomacy in the US political landscape.
• Anyone following the evolving debates around public health recommendations, free speech in broadcasting, and shifts in US global leadership.