Updated 32m ago · Politics
Report: Top RFK Jr. Adviser Quits Trump Administration
Calley Means, a senior adviser to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., resigned from the Trump administration Thursday. He confirmed his exit to the Wall Street Journal but did not give a reason.
- Unnamed sources said Means was frustrated by White House delays on Kennedy policies.
- He reportedly blamed colleagues for giving food companies too much influence.
- Delayed: an official ultraprocessed food definition and a school-meal sugar rule.
- Some colleagues reportedly found him difficult and unwilling to compromise.
Why it matters: Means helped arrange Kennedy's first call with Trump, which led to their 2024 alliance. In office, he helped drive several MAHA policy changes.
- He worked on revised dietary guidelines and a voluntary petroleum-based dye phaseout.
- Some Kennedy supporters have publicly criticized the administration's pace on food policy.
How 24 sources split on this story
Source landscape
Factuality
High
Mixed
Low
Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean
24 sources · 26 articles · 42% Left coverage
Center5 sources
The National Desk2hSenior advisor to RFK Jr. resigns from Trump administrationAxios3hTop health adviser and MAHA ally quits Trump adminBloomberg4hTop RFK Jr. Adviser Calley Means Resigns in Blow to MAHA AgendaReuters5hTop RFK Jr. adviser Calley Means quits Trump administration, WSJ reportsThe Hill4hCalley Means, top RFK Jr. adviser, quits Trump administration
Left coverage, 10 sources: The left frames the resignation as a sign that Trump's coalition with Kennedy's supporters is fraying over food-industry influence.
Raw Story4hMajor Trump coalition frays as 'disillusioned' RFK Jr. adviser quits administrationPolitical Wire5hTop RFK Jr. Adviser QuitsThe Independent1hTop Make America Healthy Again adviser quits Trump cabinet just before midtermsCNN3hMAHA adviser who introduced RFK Jr. to Trump quits admin amid frustrations over food policyMSNBC3hCalley Means, top aide to RFK Jr. and a major MAHA proponent, quitsNBC News3hTop adviser to Kennedy resigns from Trump administrationPolitico5hCalley Means, top MAHA ally, resigns from Trump administrationThe Boston Globe2hKey Trump health adviser resigns before midterm electionsThe New York Times4hKey Trump Health Adviser Resigns Ahead of Midterm ElectionsTime1hMAHA Leader Calley Means Steps Down from Trump Administration Health Advisory Role
Right9 sources
Citizen Free Press4hBreaking | Calley Means resigns.NTD51mTop RFK Jr. Adviser ResignsThe American Conservative1hCalley Means, Key WH Health Advisor, ResignsThe Daily Caller1hKey Architect Of Make America Health Again Alliance ResignsThe Daily Wire22hRFK Jr. Adviser, Top MAHA Ally Quits Trump AdminThe Epoch Times22hTop RFK Jr. Adviser ResignsThe Washington Times3hMAHA White House adviser Calley Means resignsWall Street Journal4hTop RFK Jr. Adviser Quits Administration: 'Disillusioned'...Washington Examiner4hMAHA activist Calley Means quits Trump White House amid food policy disputes
What’s next: The White House and HHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- Means said in a statement that the movement is "in the first inning and just getting started."
- Will the White House move forward on the delayed food rules?
- Will Means's departure affect MAHA voters' support for Republicans in the midterms?
View all