RFK Jr. stuns allies by backing Trump's glyphosate expansion after years of opposition

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now the nation's top health official, has sparked controversy by backing President Trump's executive order to expand glyphosate production. The move marks a sharp turn from his past criticism of the chemical, which he once linked to chronic diseases. Supporters of his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative have reacted with frustration, accusing him of betraying their trust.

Kennedy previously made a name for himself as an environmental lawyer, even winning a case against Monsanto over glyphosate's role in cancer. In 2024, he called the chemical a likely cause of chronic illnesses in a post on X. Yet his recent shift—defending Trump's order under the Defense Production Act—has left many MAHA backers disillusioned. The order not only boosts domestic glyphosate production but also grants manufacturers limited legal immunity when following federal guidelines.

MAHA Action, a political group aligned with Kennedy, had pushed for stricter scrutiny of glyphosate. In a memo, they urged the administration to commission an independent EPA review of its health effects. But no concrete steps to reduce glyphosate use have materialised. Instead, the EPA's upcoming MAHA agenda covers broader issues like forever chemicals, plastic pollution, and lead pipe replacement.

Democrats now see an opening to win over disaffected MAHA supporters by attacking the administration's stance on glyphosate and public health. If they gain a congressional majority, the shift in allegiance could stall parts of the federal agenda. Meanwhile, Kennedy frames the executive order as essential for agricultural stability and national security—a justification that has done little to ease the backlash from his own base.

The fallout from Kennedy's reversal on glyphosate has exposed divisions within the MAHA movement. Supporters who once backed his vaccine policy overhaul now threaten to withdraw their support. With Democrats targeting these voters, the dispute could reshape political dynamics ahead of key legislative battles.