STAT+: MAHA leader Calley Means castigates White House officials as bending to industry

Fresh off his resignation, Kennedy ally says industry has thwarted health reform Calley Means: Americans “are being duped and gaslighted and lied to.”Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Daniel covers the intersection of the health industry and the federal government. He reports on corporate influence in government, the health consequences of federal policies, and the politics of health care. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at danielp.100. WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s MAHA agenda has been derailed by corporate interests and the influence of money, a recently departed administration official told the podcaster Joe Rogan in a recording released Friday. Calley Means, a key Make America Healthy Again leader who until recently worked in the White House and highest levels of the federal health agencies, said top White House officials were altering policies in response to industry influence and funding. Means pointed to the fight over glyphosate, an herbicide many MAHA advocates argued causes grave health consequences. He recounted an “almost violent reaction” from industry groups that pressured agencies against researching or restricting the substance. He said a White House official later presented Means with a policy to boost its production — noting it was “not up for discussion.” STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Daniel covers the intersection of the health industry and the federal government. He reports on corporate influence in government, the health consequences of federal policies, and the politics of health care. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at danielp.100.