MAHA Slams “Corporate Capture” by Food and Pharma Giants — While Trump Strips Regulations

MAHA Slams "Corporate Capture" by Food and Pharma Giants — While Trump Strips Regulations In a scathing report released last month, the White House accused massive food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries of exerting undue influence over regulatory bodies in Washington. The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, empowered by President Donald Trump, has long criticized these industries for prioritizing profits over public health. According to the report, companies responsible for making children less healthy have "captured" regulatory agencies, leading to lax enforcement of safety standards and a lack of transparency in decision-making processes. The White House strategy report called for protecting public health from corporate influence, marking one of the first times the federal government has explicitly acknowledged the issue. "We've seen a pattern of corporate capture where companies use their wealth and influence to shape policy and regulation," said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services at the time of the report's release. "This is a threat to public health, and we need to take action to prevent it." The MAHA movement has been vocal in its criticism of these industries, with President Trump himself weighing in on the issue. In February 2025, Trump met with Kennedy in the Oval Office, where he expressed his support for the movement's goals. "We're going to make America healthy again," Trump said during the meeting. "We're going to take back our country from the special interests and put the American people first." However, not everyone is convinced that the White House report marks a genuine shift in policy priorities. Some critics argue that the administration's actions have been inconsistent with its rhetoric. "While the report is a welcome acknowledgment of the problem, it remains to be seen whether the administration will follow through on its promises," said Darya Minovi, a senior analyst for the Center for Science and Democracy. "The Trump administration has a history of rolling back regulations and promoting corporate interests, so we need to see concrete action before we can trust their commitment to public health." As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the MAHA movement's criticism of corporate capture has struck a chord with many Americans. According to a recent poll, 62% of respondents believe that large corporations have too much influence over government policy. The White House report and subsequent strategy document are just the latest developments in a long-standing battle between public health advocates and industry interests. As the issue continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the fate of America's children hangs in the balance. Background: The Make America Healthy Again movement was launched by President Trump in 2023 with the goal of improving public health outcomes for American children. The White House report on "Making Our Children Healthy Again" was released in May 2025, detailing a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of childhood illness and disease. The subsequent strategy document, released last month, called for protecting public health from corporate influence. Additional Perspectives: Industry representatives have pushed back against the White House report's findings, arguing that their companies are committed to safety and transparency. Some lawmakers have expressed support for the MAHA movement's goals, but others have raised concerns about the potential impact on industry jobs and economic growth. Current Status and Next Developments: The White House has announced plans to hold a series of public hearings on corporate capture and its impact on public health. Industry groups are expected to push back against the administration's proposals, citing concerns about regulatory overreach and job losses. *Reporting by Theintercept.*