Republicans feel uneasy about RFK Jr.'s 'MAHA' agenda as they approach the midterm elections, with some viewing it as a potential threat.
Boldly stepping up to the plate, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., otherwise known as RFK, has turned heads in Washington since his appointment as Health and Human Services Secretary. President Trump, well-known for his love of fast food and cola, has let the auto-immune activist "go ham on health," giving him free rein to pursue his whopper of a plan, "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA). But some politicians worry that vixen of antioxidants and nutrients could hurt the Republicans' midterm election chances, with rising food costs topping voters' concerns.
"The President is working diligently to ease the burden on working families and lower costs, but certain Cabinet members, like RFK, seem hell-bent on sabotaging that mission," remarked a GOP strategist working on midterm campaigns. "RFK couldn't care less about the economic strain on Trump's trade agenda; if he keeps plowing ahead with the MAHA crusade, costs will go ballistic, and our chances of success in the midterms will be compromised."
Some nerves are being rubbed raw on the right as RFK wages war against the food industry, with plans to phase out artificial food dyes and additives, and bar food stamps from being spent on soda and candy. This purity advocate even committed to investigating any link between chronic diseases and fast food or pesticides, much to the chagrin of America's burger flippers and chemical evangelists.
The divide within the MAGA movement is clear: supporters of deregulation and tax cuts are at odds with the new breed of Republicans who favor protectionism, higher taxes for the rich, and price limits on prescription drugs – a cup of tea RFK sipped on Monday in a bold executive order.
Trump, weary of criticism, has repeatedly endorsed these nutty initiatives. His budget proposal even allocated half a billion bucks to an applause-worthy MAHA project, and last week, he named a Kennedy ally as the new Surgeon General in a move that sent shockwaves through the Republican Party.
"Cheers to the President... for the busiest 100 days of my life," Kennedy tearfully confessed to Trump during a Cabinet meeting, hinting at even more fireworks to come.
In an exclusive study with eight Republican operatives and state legislators, NBC News uncovered serious doubts about the political fallout RFK's MAHA agenda might cause. One insider warned that farmers would take a beating as RFK turns his gun on pesticides like glyphosate, which faces a schism over whether it's linked to long-term adverse health effects.
"There's an underlying tension brewing between traditional Republicans and new breed Republicans," stated this concerned operative. "The administration thinks the battle has been settled. However, it's more realistic to view the coalition as brittle and in need of careful handling."
Tensions reached a boiling point at a House hearing when some lawmakers grilled RFK on the costs of his efforts. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann defended synthetic dyes, which "have been deemed safe for many years," and RFK countered that "good science" connects them to neurological injury and cancer. In an ironic twist, Rep. Mike Simpson, a former dentist, questioned RFK's anti-fluoride stance.
Ashes to ashes, polling dust in their eyes, Republicans are already running calculations on any impact RFK could have on the midterms. An internal poll conducted by the Tyson Group last month showed nearly 60% of likely Republican primary voters would be less inclined to support a candidate who "sided with RFK on food regulation" – fearing it would jeopardize Trump's mission and raise food costs. But the survey also revealed hidden strengths in RFK's appeal, with more than 40% of likely Republican primary voters claiming they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supported RFK, even if it came at the expense of Trump.
An Economist/YouGov poll last month found that over 40% of U.S. adults view Kennedy favorably – on par with Trump and above Vice President JD Vance and other Cabinet secretaries. It's worth mentioning that the Kennedy's agency, which declined to comment on this article, has shown sensitivity to cost concerns, announcing a "Deregulatory Plan to Lower Costs and Empower Providers."
While others dismissed concerns over cost, some questioned whether the MAHA agenda would be enacted soon enough to impact prices before the 2026 midterms. Other state-level legislation that has been signed into law won't take full effect until as far out as 2028. And in a welcome sign, the recent inflation report showed that prices grew at their slowest pace in over four years, with grocery price increases experiencing their sharpest slowdown since 2023.
In a nutshell, Kennedy's MAHA movement has captured the imagination of many Republicans. Kennedy – a one-time presidential wannabe who dropped out of the race and backed Trump at a crucial moment – has been credited with helping to bring Trump over the top. And as enthusiasm builds around this burgeoning movement, the food dye debate may become a crucial battleground in the upcoming midterms.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in his role as Health and Human Services Secretary, has been working extensively on the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) plan, with President Trump's support.
- The MAHA plan's focus on reducing artificial food dyes and additives, and limiting the use of food stamps for soda and candy, could potentially impact the economy due to rising food costs.
- Some Republican politicians worry that the MAHA plan's initiatives might negatively affect the Republicans' midterm election chances, as food costs are a primary concern for voters.
- The divide within the MAGA movement is evident, with supporters of deregulation and tax cuts clashing with new-breed Republicans who advocate for protectionism, higher taxes for the rich, and price limits on prescription drugs.
- The President's budget proposal has allocated half a billion dollars towards an applause-worthy MAHA project, and he has also named a Kennedy ally as the new Surgeon General.
- Concerns about the political fallout of RFK's MAHA agenda are prominent, especially regarding the potential impact on farmers due to the focus on pesticides like glyphosate.
- Polls suggest that while nearly 60% of likely Republican primary voters might be less inclined to support a candidate who sides with RFK on food regulation, fearing it could jeopardize Trump's mission and raise food costs, over 40% would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports RFK, even at the expense of Trump.
