Calley Means, a former top MAHA adviser, has left the administration and gone to war in public. On Joe Rogan’s podcast and Face the Nation, he accused former chief of staff Susie Wiles and lobbying giant Ballard Partners of trading policy for corporate cash. One of his claims is that Big Tobacco money helped loosen the rules on fruit-flavored vapes. Miles Baker and Dr. Rob Davidson look at what the allegations mean for Heidi Overton, the FDA nominee behind that vape rollback, whose confirmation now hangs on a single vote on the HELP Committee.
Also on the show: RFK Jr. claims a Democratic Senate will set him free, and Republicans stay selective about drug safety, attacking mifepristone while letting unapproved peptides and kratom slide.
Then Rob talks with Politico White House reporter Cheyenne Haslett about the cracks in the MAHA coalition, the fight over glyphosate, Stephen Miller’s rise to chief of staff, and whether Democrats like Abdul El-Sayed and AOC can win over MAHA voters on food and pesticides.
LINKS
The Washington Post: Election 2026
The Hill: Scott Colom makes history in upset victory over Cindy Hyde-Smith for Mississippi Senate
Calley Means’ interview with Joe Rogan
Calley Means’ interview on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan (transcript)
Calley Means’ tweet dumping on Ballard Partners
Calley Means’ tweet asking Wiles and Blair to stop harassing him
Calley Means’ tweet demanding record retention
The Washington Post: Former White House health aide accuses Trump advisers of catering to special interests
POLITICO: Top RFK Jr. ally bashes Trump admin after quitting
Cheyenne Haslett on LinkedIn
Cheyenne Haslett on X
POLITICO: Calley Means, top MAHA ally, resigns from Trump administration
POLITICO Magazine: MAHA Tried to Become a GOP Voting Bloc. The Midterms Ended That.
Abdul for America: Building A Healthier America
The Atlantic: Public Health Needs MAHA
The Washington Sun: Heidi Overton’s Confirmation as FDA Commissioner Is in Doubt
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America: SBA Urges Senate to Delay Overton Confirmation Until Trump Admin Commits to Abortion Drug Reforms
The New York Times: A $5 Million Donation From Big Tobacco Preceded F.D.A. Vape Decision
The Washington Post: RFK Jr. says Senate GOP blocked his agenda, has lost ‘leverage’ post-midterms
Planned Parenthood: GOP Senators Spread Misinformation at Mifepristone Hearing
NBC News: RFK Jr. takes shortcut to make some unapproved peptides available for use
The New York Times: Trump Administration Backs Down on an Opioid Ban After Kratom Industry Lobbying
Join the fight at committeetoprotect.org.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@pagingamerica
Subscribe, share, and leave a rating to help more people find Paging America.
Have thoughts, questions, or your own health care story? Email us at feedback@pagingamerica.org.
