Calley Means, the health entrepreneur and vocal advocate for the MAHA agenda, has resigned from his senior adviser position in the Trump administration. The departure, announced on Thursday, occurs two weeks before the midterm elections and highlights growing discontent within the MAHA base regarding the pace of food policy changes and administration stances on issues such as pesticide use.
In a statement posted on X, Means attributed his exit to "entrenched, dark forces in DC." He expressed "tremendous respect" for President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing their vision for change. Means pointed to specific administrative efforts, including the overhaul of dietary guidelines, the advancement of psychedelic therapies, and the ban on using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for sugary drinks. He also noted initiatives to encourage food companies to voluntarily remove artificial dyes and other additives.
Friction between MAHA supporters and the White House reached a high point in February when Trump signed an order boosting the domestic manufacturing of glyphosate. While Kennedy and movement allies contended that such chemicals harm public health, agricultural groups warned that curbing their application would drive up grocery costs and impose significant financial burdens on growers.
The administration’s relationship with the Means family has faced other hurdles. Last year, Trump nominated Casey Means, Calley’s sister and a nutrition influencer, for surgeon general. That nomination was withdrawn in April after the confirmation process stalled in the Senate. The Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Calley Means’ resignation.