Calley Means, a senior adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a leading figure in the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, resigned from his White House position on Oct. 22. Means did not provide a specific reason for his departure in public statements. He expressed tremendous respect for both President Donald Trump and Kennedy in a post on X (formerly Twitter), framing his resignation as a step forward for the MAHA movement. “They laid out a vision of combatting the entrenched, dark forces in DC that profit from Americans getting sick,” Means wrote. “More policy and cultural change has happened around these goals in the past 2 years than any time in history—and I know this movement is just getting started.”
Means’ tenure focused on food and health policy reforms, including dietary guidelines, psychedelic therapy access, and restrictions on synthetic dyes and sugary beverages in federal programs. His resignation follows months of public criticism from MAHA advocates, who argued the Trump administration had not gone far enough in addressing food industry regulations and corporate influence over health policies.
White House spokeswoman Allison Schuster issued a statement acknowledging Means’ contributions, saying the administration was “grateful” for his work. A representative for the Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment.
Means’ Policy Advocacy and Key Achievements
Means, 41, co-founded Truemed in 2022, a company focused on expanding health savings account spending on wellness products. He also co-authored a book with his sister, Dr. Casey Means, who was nominated by Trump and backed by Kennedy for the role of Surgeon General but withdrew after facing Senate opposition.
During his tenure, Means played a central role in several policy initiatives under the MAHA banner, including:
- Dietary Guidelines reform, which he described as a historic shift in federal nutrition standards.
- Psychedelic therapy reform, expanding access to substances like psilocybin for mental health treatment.
- Removal of synthetic dyes from foods, achieved through voluntary agreements with major food companies.
- Exclusion of soda from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a change aimed at reducing sugar consumption among low-income Americans.
- GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) reform, targeting the regulation of food additives.
- Overhauling government food procurement to prioritize healthier options in federal programs.
Means frequently highlighted these changes in press briefings and social media, asserting that the Trump administration’s first two years represented the “most significant food reform in modern history.” He also criticized federal agencies and medical organizations, alleging they prioritized corporate interests over public health.
Reactions and Broader Context of MAHA Movement
The resignation comes amid ongoing debates within the MAHA movement about the pace and scope of policy changes under the Trump administration. Some advocates, like health activist Kelly Ryerson (known as Glyphosate Girl), praised Means’ efforts, stating he “completed over two years at HHS fighting the food battle, despite all of the obstacles presented by corporate interests.” Ryerson added that the MAHA movement is rooted in the belief that “the nation’s health must not be sacrificed to corporate profit.”
However, other voices within the movement have expressed frustration, arguing that the administration’s actions have fallen short of its stated goals. Means’ resignation letter did not directly address these criticisms but emphasized that the movement remained in its early stages and would continue to grow.
The White House and HHS did not provide additional details on Means’ departure or the administration’s future plans for MAHA-related policies. The resignation follows a 2024 election cycle phone call arranged by Means that helped secure Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump’s campaign. Kennedy was subsequently appointed as HHS Secretary, making him the nation’s top health policy official.
Long-Term Implications for Food and Health Policy
Means’ exit raises questions about the future direction of the MAHA movement, which has positioned itself as a counterweight to what it describes as entrenched corporate and bureaucratic interests in Washington. The movement’s agenda includes reducing the influence of processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and industrial agriculture on public health policies.
While Means’ resignation does not immediately alter existing policies, it signals a potential shift in the movement’s leadership and strategy. The administration has not indicated whether it will appoint a replacement with a similar policy focus or whether the MAHA agenda will continue to be a priority in the coming months.