MAHA adviser who introduced RFK Jr. to Trump quits admin amid frustrations over food policy

Calley Means, a leading voice in the "Make America Healthy Again" movement, has resigned as a senior adviser at the Department of Health and Human Services. Multiple people familiar with his thinking told CNN · NBC News he left mainly because of stalled progress on chronic disease policy. The departure deepens a rift between President Donald Trump's base and the supporters of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , who helped carry Trump to victory in 2024.

Means is widely credited with bringing Kennedy and Trump together, which led to Kennedy's endorsement and Cabinet post. He worked first in a temporary White House role before moving to HHS. His sister, Casey Means, was put forward for surgeon general, though the White House withdrew her nomination.

Officials had hoped to finish a federal definition of ultraprocessed foods well ahead of the midterm elections, but White House delays and resistance from large agriculture groups held it up. Earlier this month, MAHA activists issued a scorecard saying the administration had broken most of its pledges on pesticides, healthier food and special interests. Means said he left with respect for both men and believes the movement is just getting started.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CNN · NBC News’s reporting. Read the full story at CNN · NBC News →