Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's high-profile lawsuit against Tylenol manufacturer Kenvue is already encountering significant hurdles. The suit, which drew attention for its bold claims linking the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy to autism—a theory touted by Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a recent press conference—has been met with skepticism and legal challenges.

In a recent development, a Texas judge denied Paxton's request for a temporary restraining order that would prevent Kenvue from affirming the safety of Tylenol for pregnant women and children amidst ongoing litigation. Furthermore, the judge also turned down Paxton’s request to block a substantial dividend payout to Kenvue shareholders, complicating the state's aggressive stance against the pharmaceutical company.

The lawsuit follows a series of public statements that have since been walked back by Kennedy, who admitted the scientific evidence linking Tylenol to autism is not conclusive. Despite these retractions, Paxton proceeded with legal action, which also aimed to interfere with the company’s financial operations by attempting to halt dividend disbursements based on a Texas law regarding the solvency of companies. However, jurisdictional issues were quickly raised, as Kenvue is based in New Jersey and incorporated in Delaware, leading to the rejection of this request by the court.

Legal experts and observers have criticized the lawsuit as politically motivated, especially in light of Paxton’s current Senate campaign. With the Republican primary approaching, Paxton appears to be leveraging the lawsuit to garner support among MAGA-aligned voters, competing against other candidates like Wesley Hunt and the incumbent John Cornyn.

This legal maneuvering occurs against a backdrop of increasing political performative actions by public officials, which some argue erode public trust in legal and scientific institutions. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how these early setbacks will affect the trajectory of Paxton’s lawsuit and his political aspirations. Meanwhile, the medical community continues to support the responsible use of Tylenol as directed by healthcare professionals, advising pregnant women to consult their doctors.

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For further reading on the topic, visit Above the Law’s coverage of Ken Paxton’s challenging start to his controversial lawsuit.