Blanche Dismisses Means Allegations as GOP's MAHA Feud Deepens
Internal conflict over health policy agenda intensifies following corruption claims against White House officials.
1Blanche Rejects Corruption Claims
Attorney General Todd Blanche dismissed allegations of corruption made by former health adviser Calley Means against senior White House officials. Blanche labeled Means a disgruntled former official and stated he does not listen to podcast claims. He also expressed no concern regarding financial dealings involving former chief of staff Susie Wiles.
2Means Alleges Industry Influence
Calley Means accused senior officials of blocking initiatives to examine children's sugar consumption to secure industry donations for midterm elections. He further alleged that deputies pushed policies favoring flavored-vaping and kratom industries. Means specifically claimed pollster Tony Fabrizio advised against regulating ultra-processed foods while receiving payments from major corporate entities like PepsiCo.
3FDA Commissioner Backs Claims
Former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary corroborated parts of the account, stating that big tobacco exploited connections to administration officials. Makary alleged repeated pressure to approve fruit-flavored vapes and noted that kratom lobbyists attempted to undermine his regulatory efforts. He did not specify which individual officials were responsible for the reported pressure.
4Blair Denies Policy Manipulation
Former White House adviser James Blair disputed the allegations, asserting he never promoted flavored vaping or influenced individual application decisions. Blair stated he was strictly following President Trump's instructions to ensure the FDA made timely decisions. He emphasized that voters elected Trump to lead, not unelected advisers or external critics like Means.
5Fabrizio and Ballard Respond
Tony Fabrizio called the allegations of being in the pocket of pharmaceutical companies demonstrably false, citing his firm's polling on drug pricing. Additionally, the lobbying firm Ballard Partners issued a statement on X denying they lobbied Wiles regarding flavored vapes or glyphosate. They explicitly rejected Means' accusations as false and misleading.
6Glyphosate and Legal Context
In February, President Trump signed an executive order granting immunity to glyphosate producers as Bayer faced numerous lawsuits. Subsequently, in June, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that federal law preempts state lawsuits concerning pesticide sales. This legal environment complicates efforts for individuals to sue over cancer claims related to Roundup usage.
7Internal Coalition Tensions Rise
The feud highlights a central question regarding the Trump health agenda: were advisers undermining the president's goals or executing his specific wishes? While Means portrays Trump as unaware of these decisions, reports suggest the president personally pressured officials to approve flavored vaping products. This internal friction complicates the administration's public health objectives.
8Congressional Scrutiny Demanded
Despite the administration's dismissals, Representative Marlin Stutzman stated that any allegation of impropriety should be investigated. The conflict continues to deepen as the White House prepares for leadership changes, including the replacement of Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller. Observers are now watching to see if formal congressional inquiries into these claims emerge.
Original article: Axios — Blanche Dismisses Means Allegations as GOP's MAHA Feud Deepens