RFK Jr. and Trump Clash With MAHA Base Over Glyphosate Order
For years, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. built his environmental reputation taking on chemical manufacturers, most notably over glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller. As an attorney, he helped secure a landmark verdict arguing the herbicide contributed to a client’s cancer.
Now, as the nation’s top health official, Kennedy is backing President Donald Trump’s executive order designed to strengthen domestic production of glyphosate and related agricultural chemicals. The order also offers limited legal immunity to manufacturers that comply with federal directives.
In a lengthy social media post Sunday, Kennedy described pesticides as “toxic by design” but framed Trump’s directive as a matter of agricultural stability and national security.
“President Trump did not build our current system — he inherited it,” Kennedy wrote. “I support President Trump’s Executive Order to bring agricultural chemical production back to the United States and end our near-total reliance on adversarial nations.”
A Loyalty Test With Political Risks
Kennedy’s endorsement signals loyalty to the president who has supported his sweeping changes to federal vaccine policy. But it also exposes tension within the Make America Healthy Again coalition, which includes anti vaccine activists, environmental advocates and food safety reformers.
Some MAHA supporters say they feel blindsided.
“It’s been a year. Not a single thing has been done by the EPA to reduce our children’s and families exposure to pesticides,” said Zen Honeycutt, founder of Moms Across America. “We love you Bobby but this administration needs to keep their word.”
Activist Kelly Ryerson went further, calling the order “America Last, Anti MAHA, and unforgivable.”
Legal and Regulatory Shifts
The executive order aims to protect domestic production of elemental phosphorus, a compound used in military applications and in glyphosate based herbicides. Administration officials argue the move secures critical supply chains.
At the same time, House Republicans have advanced proposals that would make it more difficult to sue pesticide companies over warning labels. In December, the Justice Department supported Bayer, Monsanto’s parent company, in a Supreme Court case that could limit future liability over Roundup claims.
Kennedy has repeatedly stated he believes glyphosate causes cancer. However, the Environmental Protection Agency maintains the chemical is not likely carcinogenic to humans when used as directed. Bayer says its glyphosate products have been extensively tested and approved by regulators worldwide for more than 50 years.
Environmental Advocates Still Waiting
Kennedy says he is working with the Department of Agriculture and the EPA to reduce long term reliance on harmful chemicals. The administration recently launched a 700 million dollar regenerative agriculture pilot program aimed at improving soil health and water quality.
Yet longtime environmental leaders question whether systemic change is coming.
“If there is a big plan, a big MAHA style plan to move in the direction of detoxifying agriculture from these chemicals, where is it?” asked Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group. He said Kennedy’s recent messaging echoes industry arguments.
“He’s jumped onto their message square and is dancing on it,” Cook said.
EPA officials say a broader MAHA environmental agenda is in final stages, with planned action on forever chemicals, plastic pollution, food quality and lead pipe removal. On Friday, federal regulators announced they would enforce a 10 year deadline for lead pipe replacement nationwide.
Midterm Stakes
Political observers say Kennedy faces a balancing act. MAHA supporters are seen as critical to Republicans maintaining narrow congressional majorities this November.
“He does need to try to please his base of supporters who care a lot about this issue and presumably think that it can cause cancer – while also pleasing the president if he wants to be able to keep this job,” said Matt Motta, a professor at Boston University School of Public Health.
MAHA Action issued a memo Monday urging supporters to remain unified while calling for an independent EPA review of glyphosate’s health impacts.
Meanwhile, Democrats see opportunity. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, who is up for reelection, called the executive order “a slap in the face to the thousands of Americans who have gotten cancer from glyphosate,” arguing it prioritizes chemical company profits over public health.
Democratic strategist Anjan Mukherjee said left leaning candidates are likely to highlight what they see as broken promises.
Still, some MAHA aligned figures caution that handing Democrats control of Congress could stall regulatory efforts Kennedy has championed, including vaccine and food policy changes.
“MAHA has a choice this election season,” said David Mansdoerfer, a former Health and Human Services official. “Support the Trump administration and continue to have a voice in Washington or stay at home and watch their federal agenda come to a halt.”
