Resignation From the White House
Calley Means, a leading advocate for the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement and a top adviser to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., resigned from his position with the Trump administration on Thursday.
Means was hired as a White House adviser early in the second Trump administration. In his role, he utilized his perch at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to challenge the nation’s leading physician groups, federal agencies, and government scientists, claiming they primarily protected their own interests rather than public health.
His emphasis on food policy became a source of internal friction. While Means focused heavily on dietary reforms, other figures within the MAHA movement expressed frustration, wanting Kennedy to prioritize "medical freedom" issues such as rolling back federal recommendations and approvals for vaccines.
In a statement regarding his departure, Means did not elaborate on the specific reasons for leaving. He stated that he "leaves with tremendous respect" for President Donald Trump and Kennedy.
"The past two years have seen historic policy and cultural change to confront the chronic disease crisis and healthcare incentives that profit from us being sick," Means said. "This movement is in the first inning and just getting started."
Frustration Over Regulatory Pace
Means’ departure coincides with growing discontent among leading voices in the MAHA movement regarding what they describe as a lack of progress by the Trump administration on key issues, including food security and the regulation of the weed killer glyphosate.
Despite Means' efforts to push for reform, the administration’s progress on food reforms has been slow going. Kennedy had promised the release of a first-ever government definition of ultraprocessed food in April. However, FDA acting commissioner Kyle Diamantas told a conference that defining the class "is really hard." In August, Kennedy staffers suggested a major announcement on the issue was imminent; instead, the announcement focused on a proposal bringing greater scrutiny to food additives and made only passing mention of ultraprocessed foods.
Reactions From Allies and Administration
White House spokeswoman Allison Schuster said the Trump administration is "grateful" for Means’ time and noted that "he has done a fantastic job for the MAHA movement." A representative from Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment.
Health activist Kelly Ryerson, a leader of American Regeneration known as Glyphosate Girl on social media, said she is "impressed that he completed over two years at HHS fighting the food battle, despite all of the obstacles presented by corporate interests." Ryerson stated, "At the heart of MAHA is a shared belief that the nation’s health must not be sacrificed to corporate profit, and that a preventable slide into chronic disease is a threat to America itself."
Zen Honeycutt, founder of Moms Across America, said Means will be missed by her organization, which operates local and national campaigns warning against pollution, water use and electricity costs associated with data center construction. Honeycutt said Means "brought an energy and fearlessness to the Hill, fighting for our children to have healthy food in schools and for America’s health."
Means’ Background and Influence
Means is the brother of wellness influencer, author and entrepreneur Dr. Casey Means, who failed to be confirmed as surgeon general earlier this year after doubts were raised over her vaccine stance.
Means and his sister came to prominence within the MAHA movement by arguing that ultraprocessed foods, additives and pesticides could be blamed for many of the chronic health conditions facing Americans. Means brought those arguments into the Trump administration and frequently clashed with senior White House officials who worried about alienating the powerful food industry.