WASHINGTON — Calley Means, a senior White House adviser affiliated with the Make America Healthy Again movement, resigned Thursday after disputes over food policy within the Trump administration.
Means had been an ally of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and initially entered the administration as a special government employee assisting Kennedy before later taking a White House position.
In an Oct. 22 post on X, Means said, “I am resigning from the White House with tremendous respect for President [Donald] Trump and Bobby Kennedy.” He added that “it was an honor to advocate for MAHA moms in the administration.”
Food Policy Disputes
Means supported MAHA policy changes to federal dietary guidance, including placing animal-based proteins at the top of an inverted food pyramid. He also pressed for a definition of ultra-processed foods and for labeling requirements.
He became frustrated with delays on those issues and clashed with other White House officials, according to the account of his departure.
Means helped bring Kennedy and Trump together in July 2024, before the 2024 election in which Trump sought support from MAHA voters and received Kennedy’s endorsement.
Family Connection
Means co-wrote Good Energy with his sister, Dr. Casey Means. Trump tapped Casey Means to become Surgeon General, but she did not secure sufficient Senate support after declining to endorse vaccines.
Means referred to two years of policy and cultural change in his post. His departure comes ahead of Nov. 3 elections for the House, Senate and governorships.
Category: Republic
Tags: White House, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Calley Means, Health and Human Services