President Donald Trump signed an executive order recognizing glyphosate and phosphorites as raw materials of strategic importance for U.S. national and food security. This decision, providing legal protection to producers such as Bayer, has triggered fierce resistance within the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) coalition. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and leader of the movement, has come under fire after unexpectedly supporting the White House's actions, which many of his supporters view as a betrayal of the ideological fight against toxins.

Glyphosate as a Strategic Resource

President Donald Trump signed an executive order recognizing the production of herbicides based on glyphosate as essential for national security.

Rebellion Within the MAHA Movement

Supporters of Kennedy Jr. accuse the administration of betrayal. Pro-health influencers warn of losing support in the midterm elections.

Support for Bayer Conglomerate

The German chemical giant, owner of Monsanto, gains legal protection and support for production in the U.S., translating into a rise in stock value.

President Donald Trump's decision to grant glyphosate the status of a key defense resource marks a radical shift in U.S. agricultural and environmental policy. Glyphosate is currently produced on an industrial scale in the U.S. only by facilities owned by the Bayer conglomerate, making this company the primary beneficiary of the new regulations. The executive order aims to secure domestic supply chains and reduce U.S. dependence on imported agricultural chemicals, which the White House justifies as necessary for protecting food security. This move directly strikes at the ideological foundations of the MAHA movement. American leaders such as Vani Hari and Kelly Ryerson have publicly expressed outrage, pointing out that the fight against pesticides was a key reason their supporters backed Trump in the recent elections. The stance of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sparked particular controversy, as he previously built his credibility on opposing chemical corporations but now supports the presidential executive order. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the WHO, classified glyphosate as a substance probably carcinogenic to humans, initiating a wave of thousands of lawsuits against Monsanto (later acquired by Bayer).For the Bayer conglomerate, Washington's decision provides a moment of relief after a series of costly legal proceedings. The new regulations are intended to grant producers a form of legal immunity, which could significantly impact the outcome of ongoing civil cases. However, experts note that the political cost of this decision may be high—disappointment among so-called “MAHA Moms” and other pro-health groups risks losing votes from a key electorate ahead of the upcoming congressional elections.

Mentioned People

  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — U.S. Secretary of Health and leader of the MAHA movement, who supported Trump's executive order on glyphosate.
  • Donald Trump — President of the United States, who signed the controversial decision to protect glyphosate.
  • Vani Hari — Activist known as the 'Food Babe,' sharply criticizing the administration's shift on pesticides.