Calley Means, a senior adviser to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a central advocate for the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement, has resigned from the Trump administration. He confirmed his departure to NBC News on Thursday 1. The news comes less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections 2.
Means was an adviser on Kennedy's 2024 presidential campaign and a key architect of his MAHA agenda. He joined the White House early last year as a special government employee, then moved to a full-time role as senior adviser to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) after divesting from his wellness company, Truemed 1.
What Means said
I am resigning from the White House with tremendous respect for President Trump and RFK — two historic figures who are committed to confronting a corrupt DC bureaucracy that is doing everything possible to protect the status quo,
STAT, which confirmed the departure, reported that Means did not explain why he was leaving. It said the Wall Street Journal reported the news first 2. In his statement he also said "This movement is in the first inning and just getting started" 2.
Why he may have left
A person familiar with the decision told NBC News that Means had grown increasingly frustrated at how little he could get done in Washington. The source said the final straw was the lack of progress on a federal definition of ultra-processed foods, one of his biggest priorities. The administration teased a definition in August but has not released it 1.
The source also pointed to President Trump's executive order to boost U.S. supply of the weed killer glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup. The source cited some Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actions that clash with Kennedy's agenda as well 1. NBC reports that the EPA has weakened mercury emissions standards and rolled back drinking water limits for certain PFAS chemicals. The MAHA movement has largely opposed both moves 1.
A movement losing patience
Earlier this month, some MAHA supporters, including former members of Kennedy's presidential campaign, accused the administration of breaking nearly every promise made to them on food, agriculture and environmental health 1.
In June, the Supreme Court ruled that Bayer, which makes Roundup, did not need to warn consumers about a potential cancer risk tied to the product. The Trump administration had backed Bayer in that case 1.
STAT describes the MAHA movement as on "shakier ground" ahead of the elections. It says some candidates are trailing in the polls and the movement is struggling to find its financial and messaging footing 2.
What happens next
STAT says it is not clear who will replace Means or what he will do next 2. The federal definition of ultra-processed foods remains unreleased 1. We found no Democratic response in the coverage we reviewed.
That matters because Means was one of the loudest MAHA voices left inside the government. His exit raises questions about how much of the agenda will move forward, and about whether the movement's own supporters will stay engaged as voters head to the polls. That is analysis, not a finding in the reporting.
The Record
- In June, the Supreme Court ruled Bayer did not need to warn consumers about a potential cancer risk tied to Roundup; the Trump administration had backed Bayer 1.
- In August, the administration teased a federal definition of ultra-processed foods but has yet to release it 1.
- Calley Means resigned from the Trump administration and confirmed it to NBC News 12.
Sources
- NBC News, “Top adviser to Kennedy resigns from Trump administration” (2026-10-22). nbcnews.com/health/health-news/kennedy-top-advisor-calley-me
- STAT, “Top MAHA adviser Calley Means resigns from White House days ahead of midterms” (2026-10-22). statnews.com/2026/10/22/calley-means-resigns-white-house-adv
Found an error? Tell the newsroom. Corrections are noted at the top of the story.
