Trump's Support for Bayer's Roundup Backfired on MAHA

Mollie Engelhart, a farmer and "MAHA-aligned" supporter in Bandera, Texas, has voiced significant disappointment with the Trump administration's policies concerning Bayer's Roundup pesticide. Engelhart, who hosted a MAHA farming retreat attended by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., stated that many MAHA voters feel "homeless" due to perceived betrayals by the administration. Her faith in President Trump, initially based on his promises to reform the chemical-laden food system, has eroded over the past year and a half.

The core of the MAHA movement's disenchantment stems from the Trump administration's open support for Bayer, the manufacturer of Roundup. This support became evident when the administration urged the Supreme Court to hear Bayer's case regarding claims that the company inadequately warned users about the cancer risks associated with its weedkiller. The situation escalated in February when President Trump signed an executive order designating glyphosate-based herbicides, including Roundup, as critical to national security and advocating for increased domestic production of the chemical.

Further fueling farmer concerns, reports in March indicated that high-ranking officials within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) met with Bayer's CEO to discuss "litigation" matters. In April, the administration reportedly sent a lawyer to argue on Bayer's behalf. These actions have led many MAHA-aligned individuals, who prioritize organic and regenerative agriculture, to feel that the administration prioritized corporate interests over public health and environmental concerns, directly contradicting the movement's goals.