Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

MAHA Moms Turn on Trump Over Cancer-Linked Pesticide Approval

During the height of President Trump's third political campaign in 2024, Robert F Kennedy Jr. shocked the world by changing his affiliation with the Democratic Party and throwing his support behind the Republican candidate.

But Kennedy Jr. was not the only one to switch sides. He also brought along a string of health conscious female followers who called themselves the MAHA Moms after his Make America Healthy Again movement, all of whom enthusiastically voted for Trump.

However, a new executive order by Trump to protect the production of glyphosate-based herbicides, such as Roundup, has caused unrest among the MAHA community and invited severe backlash. 

In a February 18 order, the President wrote: 'Elemental phosphorus is also a critical precursor element for the production of glyphosate-based herbicides, which play a critical role in maintaining America’s agricultural advantage by enabling farmers to efficiently and cost-effectively produce food and livestock feed. 

"As the most widely used crop protection tools in United States agriculture, glyphosate-based herbicides are a cornerstone of this Nation’s agricultural productivity and rural economy, allowing United States farmers and ranchers to maintain high yields and low production costs while ensuring that healthy, affordable food options remain within reach for all American families.

"There is no direct one-for-one chemical alternative to glyphosate-based herbicides. Lack of access to glyphosate-based herbicides would critically jeopardize agricultural productivity, adding pressure to the domestic food system, and may result in a transition of cropland to other uses due to low productivity.

"Given the profit margins growers currently face, any major restrictions in access to glyphosate-based herbicides would result in economic losses for growers and make it untenable for them to meet growing food and feed demands."

<h2>What Is Glyphosate?</h2>Registered as a pesticide in the US since 1974, glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that controls the growth of broadleaf weeds and grasses. The chemical compound is considered important in the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and glyphosate-resistant field crops such as corn and soybean.

In addition, glyphosate breaks down in the environment, can be used for no-till and low-till farming which can reduce soil erosion, and facilitates integrated pest management.

Apart from farming, the compound is also used in conservation land, pastures, rangeland, aquatic areas, forests, turf grass, residential areas, non-food tree crops (pine, poplar and Christmas trees), rights of way, commercial areas, paved areas, spot treatments, ornamentals, parks, and wildlife management areas.

Glyphosate can be applied in agricultural, residential and commercial settings using a wide range of application methods, including aerial sprays, ground broadcast sprayers of various types, shielded and hooded sprayers, wiper applicators, sponge bars, injection systems, and controlled droplet applicators.

People can be exposed to the herbicide through agricultural use, as residues are found in food, water, and sometimes, the urine of the general population.

In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as "probably" carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). Previous studies have also shown that the herbicide can cause DNA damage in humans and rodent cells.

Acute exposure can also cause skin/eye irritation, nausea, and, in high-dose ingestion, severe toxicity or death. Chronic exposure studies have raised concerns about liver inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and endocrine disruption, especially in early life.

Talking about the President's new order, Alex Clark, a health and wellness podcaster for the conservative group Turning Point USA, which is closely allied with the president said: "Women feel like they were lied to, that MAHA movement is a sham. How am I supposed to rally these women to vote red in the midterms? How can we win their trust back? I am unsure if we can.”

Vani Hari, a food activist, author and one of the grass roots leaders of the MAHA coalition also added: "This executive order reads like it was drafted in a chemical company boardroom. Calling it ‘national defense’ while expanding protections for toxic products is a dangerous misdirection. Real national security is protecting American families, farmers  and children.”

Kelly Ryerson, another key player in the MAHA movement who has been lobbying US regulators and lawmakers for restrictions on glyphosate and other pesticides, further noted that this recent move by Trump and Kennedy Jr. is an insult to those who have largely supported the administration because of promises that MAHA issues would be taken seriously.

But despite wide criticism, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classification for glyphosate is “not likely” to be carcinogenic (causing cancer) to humans, based on evidence from animals and humans.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has also classified glyphosate as “probably” carcinogenic to humans, which means there was sufficient evidence of cancer in animals, but limited evidence of cancer in humans.

Paying no heed to his followers' complaints, Kennedy Jr. is doubling down on his defense of Trump's order and claims that while pesticides can cause health problems, but said they are necessary to ensure an adequate food supply.

In a X post, he explained: "Pesticides and herbicides are toxic by design, engineered to kill living organisms. When we apply them across millions of acres and allow them into our food system, we put Americans at risk. Chemical manufacturers have paid tens of billions of dollars to settle cancer claims linked to their products, and many agricultural communities report elevated cancer rates and chronic disease.

"Unfortunately, our agricultural system depends heavily on these chemicals. The U.S. represents 4 percent of the world’s population, yet we use roughly 25 percent of its pesticides. If these inputs disappeared overnight, crop yields would fall, food prices would surge, and America would experience a massive loss of farms even beyond what we are witnessing today. The consequences would be disastrous.

"I support President Trump’s Executive Order to bring agricultural chemical production back to the United States and end our near-total reliance on adversarial nations. His EO protects two pillars of national strength: our defense readiness and our food supply. When hostile actors control critical inputs, they directly threaten the security of the American people. The Trump administration will secure these supply chains to eliminate that vulnerability."

Zen Honeycutt, founder of Moms Across America, said in a post replying to Kennedy Jr.: "It’s been a year. Not a single thing has been done by the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] to reduce our children’s and families exposure to pesticides. In fact regulations have only gotten worse, loosened and more harmful pesticides have been approved.

"There is no excuse for this. We love you Bobby but this administration needs to keep their word. We were promised specifically clean air, clean water, and addressing of the pesticides [in] our foods. Whether glyphosate comes from China or the USA it’s still sterilizing and killing us and our soil."

Lori Ann Burd, environmental health program director at the Center for Biological Diversity, also called the executive order “a sickening love letter from Trump to the largest pesticide companies in the world.

“It’s more proof that Trump doesn’t care at all about Americans’ health,” she said. “While he’s pandering to chemical companies the rest of the country, especially those who’ve been poisoned by pesticides, is rightfully asking ‘what about us?’”

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During the height of President Trump's third political campaign in 2024, Robert F Kennedy Jr. shocked the world by changing his affiliation with the Democratic Party and throwing his support behind the Republican candidate. But Kennedy Jr. was not the only one to switch sides. He also brought along a string of health conscious female followers who called themselves the MAHA Moms after his Make America Healthy Again movement, all of whom enthusiastically voted for Trump. However, a new executive order by Trump to protect the production of glyphosate-based herbicides, such as Roundup, has caused unrest among the MAHA community and invited severe backlash. In a February 18 order, the President wrote: 'Elemental phosphorus is also a critical precursor element for the production of glyphosate-based herbicides, which play a critical role in maintaining America’s agricultural advantage by enabling farmers to efficiently and cost-effectively produce food and livestock feed. "As the most widely used crop protection tools in United States agriculture, glyphosate-based herbicides are a cornerstone of this Nation’s agricultural productivity and rural economy, allowing United States farmers and ranchers to maintain high yields and low production costs while ensuring that healthy, affordable food options remain within reach for all American families. "There is no direct one-for-one chemical alternative to glyphosate-based herbicides. Lack of access to glyphosate-based herbicides would critically jeopardize agricultural productivity, adding pressure to the domestic food system, and may result in a transition of cropland to other uses due to low productivity. "Given the profit margins growers currently face, any major restrictions in access to glyphosate-based herbicides would result in economic losses for growers and make it untenable for them to meet growing food and feed demands."What Is Glyphosate?Registered as a pesticide in the US since 1974, glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that controls the growth of broadleaf weeds and grasses. The chemical compound is considered important in the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and glyphosate-resistant field crops such as corn and soybean. In addition, glyphosate breaks down in the environment, can be used for no-till and low-till farming which can reduce soil erosion, and facilitates integrated pest management.Apart from farming, the compound is also used in conservation land, pastures, rangeland, aquatic areas, forests, turf grass, residential areas, non-food tree crops (pine, poplar and Christmas trees), rights of way, commercial areas, paved areas, spot treatments, ornamentals, parks, and wildlife management areas.Glyphosate can be applied in agricultural, residential and commercial settings using a wide range of application methods, including aerial sprays, ground broadcast sprayers of various types, shielded and hooded sprayers, wiper applicators, sponge bars, injection systems, and controlled droplet applicators.Why Is It Dangerous?People can be exposed to the herbicide through agricultural use, as residues are found in food, water, and sometimes, the urine of the general population.In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as "probably" carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). Previous studies have also shown that the herbicide can cause DNA damage in humans and rodent cells.Acute exposure can also cause skin/eye irritation, nausea, and, in high-dose ingestion, severe toxicity or death. Chronic exposure studies have raised concerns about liver inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and endocrine disruption, especially in early life.Talking about the President's new order, Alex Clark, a health and wellness podcaster for the conservative group Turning Point USA, which is closely allied with the president said: "Women feel like they were lied to, that MAHA movement is a sham. How am I supposed to rally these women to vote red in the midterms? How can we win their trust back? I am unsure if we can.”Vani Hari, a food activist, author and one of the grass roots leaders of the MAHA coalition also added: "This executive order reads like it was drafted in a chemical company boardroom. Calling it ‘national defense’ while expanding protections for toxic products is a dangerous misdirection. Real national security is protecting American families, farmers  and children.”Kelly Ryerson, another key player in the MAHA movement who has been lobbying US regulators and lawmakers for restrictions on glyphosate and other pesticides, further noted that this recent move by Trump and Kennedy Jr. is an insult to those who have largely supported the administration because of promises that MAHA issues would be taken seriously.But despite wide criticism, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classification for glyphosate is “not likely” to be carcinogenic (causing cancer) to humans, based on evidence from animals and humans.The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has also classified glyphosate as “probably” carcinogenic to humans, which means there was sufficient evidence of cancer in animals, but limited evidence of cancer in humans.What Does The Government Say?Paying no heed to his followers' complaints, Kennedy Jr. is doubling down on his defense of Trump's order and claims that while pesticides can cause health problems, but said they are necessary to ensure an adequate food supply.In a X post, he explained: "Pesticides and herbicides are toxic by design, engineered to kill living organisms. When we apply them across millions of acres and allow them into our food system, we put Americans at risk. Chemical manufacturers have paid tens of billions of dollars to settle cancer claims linked to their products, and many agricultural communities report elevated cancer rates and chronic disease."Unfortunately, our agricultural system depends heavily on these chemicals. The U.S. represents 4 percent of the world’s population, yet we use roughly 25 percent of its pesticides. If these inputs disappeared overnight, crop yields would fall, food prices would surge, and America would experience a massive loss of farms even beyond what we are witnessing today. The consequences would be disastrous."I support President Trump’s Executive Order to bring agricultural chemical production back to the United States and end our near-total reliance on adversarial nations. His EO protects two pillars of national strength: our defense readiness and our food supply. When hostile actors control critical inputs, they directly threaten the security of the American people. The Trump administration will secure these supply chains to eliminate that vulnerability."But his allies continue to disagree. Zen Honeycutt, founder of Moms Across America, said in a post replying to Kennedy Jr.: "It’s been a year. Not a single thing has been done by the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] to reduce our children’s and families exposure to pesticides. In fact regulations have only gotten worse, loosened and more harmful pesticides have been approved."There is no excuse for this. We love you Bobby but this administration needs to keep their word. We were promised specifically clean air, clean water, and addressing of the pesticides [in] our foods. Whether glyphosate comes from China or the USA it’s still sterilizing and killing us and our soil."Lori Ann Burd, environmental health program director at the Center for Biological Diversity, also called the executive order “a sickening love letter from Trump to the largest pesticide companies in the world.“It’s more proof that Trump doesn’t care at all about Americans’ health,” she said. “While he’s pandering to chemical companies the rest of the country, especially those who’ve been poisoned by pesticides, is rightfully asking ‘what about us?’”