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The White House · Report · File No. 261113-225

Ex-Kennedy aide Calley Means accuses Susie Wiles of favoring donors over MAHA goals

Calley Means, who quit as an adviser to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., says Trump's former chief of staff and her allies blocked MAHA goals to please donors. Wiles's side denies it, and the incoming House Oversight chairman says he will look into it.

By the White House Desk · · 2 min read

Every quote in this story (2) was matched word for word against its source. How we work

My clippings
Susie Wiles
Susie Wiles. Photo: The White House, Public domain

Calley Means, a former senior adviser to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is publicly accusing Susie Wiles of stalling the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) agenda. Wiles is President Trump's former chief of staff. Means made the claims in two interviews last weekend, and Wiles's side denies them 12.

On Saturday, Nov. 7, Means told Joe Rogan's podcast that Wiles was the reason the MAHA agenda stalled. He also said she had planned to throw Trump "under the bus," and that Wiles and former deputy chief of staff James Blair were considering legal action against him 2.

On tapeForbes Breaking News · Nov 9
Nov. 8: Attorney General Todd Blanche, questioned by CNN's Dana Bash, dismisses Calley Means's allegations and praises Susie Wiles as chief of staff.Video: Forbes Breaking News on YouTube, “Todd Blanche Fiercely Defends Former Chief Of Staff Susie Wiles Against Corruption Allegations”. It plays from YouTube when you press play.

On Sunday, Nov. 8, Means appeared on CBS's "Face the Nation." He said Wiles's former lobbying firm, Ballard Partners, controlled White House policy. He also accused Wiles and other top advisers of catering to industries that funded Republicans ahead of the midterms 1.

Calley Means
did not happen by accident
Calley Means, former senior adviser to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., on Ballard Partners' rise as a lobbying firm1

Vapes, donations and denials

Means resigned in late October, saying the MAHA agenda had stalled inside the White House. He accused Wiles's deputies of pushing HHS to find a path for fruit-flavored vapes. He singled out Blair on that point 1.

From Channel GOPCalley Means links tobacco money to Trump policyCalley Means · 746 plays · captioned, with the source named

Brian Ballard, the firm's founder, said its interactions with Wiles as chief of staff were limited and "the exception, not the rule." Blair said Means is "intentionally misrepresenting" his role, and he is reviewing legal options, including a possible defamation suit. A Wiles spokesperson told Axios the accusations were "outrageous, defamatory, and provably false" 1.

Attorney General Todd Blanche called Means a "disgruntled former administration official." He said the Justice Department would not investigate claims made on a podcast 1.

Todd Blanche
disgruntled former administration official
Todd Blanche, Attorney General, Republican1

The money trail

CBS analyzed Senate lobbying filings. It found Ballard reported more than $88 million in lobbying revenue in 2025, the most any firm had reported since the Lobbying Disclosure Act took effect in 1996. Through the first three quarters of 2026, the firm reported more than $98 million 1.

FEC records show a $5 million donation to MAGA Inc., a pro-Trump group, on April 30 from RAI Services Company, a Reynolds American subsidiary. RAI has been a Ballard client since 2017. A MAGA Inc. spokesperson said the group accepts legal contributions from people who agree with Trump's America First agenda 1.

In May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidance that could let major tobacco companies sell flavored vapes. It came a week after Ballard and tobacco executives lunched with Trump at his Florida golf club. Those are facts CBS reported, not proof of what Means alleges 1.

What happens next

Rep. Robert Garcia, the incoming House Oversight chairman, will "will look into the claims against Wiles," CBS reported. Democrats take control of the House in January 1.

Means has asked Wiles, Ballard Partners and Continental Strategy to preserve records in case a lawsuit is filed. He also asked for any factual errors to be sent to him in writing, and said he would correct them and apologize 2.

That matters because the FDA oversees food, drugs and vapes, and its rules reach every family. Who steers that policy, and whether donors had a say, is a fair question for oversight. The accusations are unproven, and the people named deny them.

The Record

  1. Fabrizio's April 2025 poll found prescription drug prices could help GOP candidates in toss-up districts 1.
  2. RAI Services Company, a Reynolds American subsidiary, gave $5 million to MAGA Inc., per FEC records 1.
  3. Means tells Joe Rogan's podcast that Wiles is why the MAHA agenda stalled 2.
  4. Means says on Face the Nation that Ballard Partners controlled White House policy; Ballard and Wiles's side deny it 1.
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Sources

  1. CBS News, “Susie Wiles' old lobbying firm made $186 million under Trump. Now it's caught in MAGA's feud.” (2026-11-10). cbsnews.com/news/susie-wiles-ballard-partners-trump-maga-feu
  2. KMPH (The National News Desk), “Former RFK Jr. adviser blames Susie Wiles for halting MAHA agenda” (2026-11-09). kmph.com/news/nation-world/former-rfk-jr-adviser-blames-susi

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