Unpacking the Financial Gains of the 'Make America Healthy Again' Movement

Sat Dec 06 2025 20:16:08 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In the midst of ongoing debates about public health and vaccines, the 'Make America Healthy Again' movement claims grassroots intentions but reveals deep financial ties among its leaders, including potential profits benefitting the wellness industry.

The 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) movement is reportedly profiting from the promotion of anti-science legislation, especially related to vaccines and raw milk. Prominent figures like Del Bigtree and Casey Means highlight how the wellness industry stands to gain significantly. While advocating for a return to traditional ways of health, they have developed lucrative careers in promoting these ideals, raising ethical questions about the intersection of business and activism.

Two advisers to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed an audience this spring at a California trade show for the natural products industry. Their message: the goals of the 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) movement can bolster your business.

Del Bigtree, a leading figure in MAHA Action, remarked about the movement's potential to elevate the supplement and holistic health sectors toward financial success. However, a closer examination reveals that numerous activists are positioned to benefit personally from the very initiatives they support.

In asserting that the MAHA movement is grassroots, proponents overlook its significant backing from well-funded entities—many of whom profit from increased skepticism towards established medical practices. The push for such policies may appear aimed at improving public health but frequently aligns with lucrative opportunities for those involved.

For instance, legislative efforts in various states promoting raw milk have underscored how advocates rationalized these moves by emphasizing profit potential, showing that health initiatives can be driven by economic incentives rather than public welfare.

Moreover, individuals associated with the MAHA movement like Casey Means have extensive ties to the wellness industry, potentially swaying policies that favor their financial interests. This raises significant questions regarding the motivations of those involved in promoting MAHA's agenda and its implications for public health.

Helping businesses through MAHA

The $1.5 trillion global wellness market thrives amidst claims targeting big pharmaceutical companies, despite skepticism about the MAHA's motivations potentially being rooted in profit as well. Casey Means not only promotes various wellness products but also fosters connections that benefit the supplement industry.

As raw milk gains traction in state legislation, the economic implications for farmers and producers come to light, overshadowed by concerns over health implications associated with unpasteurized products. The discussion around the safety and necessity of such legislative changes reflects the ongoing battle between profit and public safety.

Gaining from activism

Many involved in promoting anti-science legislation have secured successful careers within this sphere, raising ethical concerns about the intertwining of health activism and personal gain. For example, Bigtree's businesses have seen substantial financial inflows from Kennedy's presidential campaign and related organizations, revealing that political affiliations may often have lucrative outcomes.

As proponents of the MAHA movement continue to recruit support and push legislative agendas, the intersection of health advocacy and financial gain underscores a complex narrative—one where commitments to public health may be influenced by underlying financial incentives.