RFK Jr. Adviser Blames Trump Aides for Midterm Losses 2026

Former RFK Jr. adviser Calley Means has accused Trump officials of prioritizing special interest groups over voters, blaming them for the Republican Party's midterm election losses. In a podcast interview with Joe Rogan on Friday and subsequent remarks to CBS News, Means singled out Susie Wiles, whom Donald Trump removed as White House chief of staff last week, for stalling the "Make America healthy again" (MAHA) agenda.

Means, who resigned two weeks ago from his job advising Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said Wiles and other Trump staffers dropped the ball on MAHA to take money from the sugar industry to fuel the midterms—which Republicans ultimately lost. "I mean, it's why we lost the midterms. We have been discordant from what was run on, two years ago," Means told Rogan.

Who Is Calley Means and What Did He Say?

Calley Means is a former health adviser to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a prominent voice behind the MAHA movement, which seeks to overhaul U.S. health policy by reducing corporate influence on food and drug regulation. He resigned from his advisory role two weeks ago, and his departure has now become a flashpoint in the post-midterm blame game.

In his interview with Rogan, Means directly tied the Republican losses to what he described as a betrayal of the MAHA platform. He argued that the party ran on a message of health reform two years ago but failed to deliver, instead catering to industry donors.

The Accusations Against Susie Wiles and Other Trump Staffers

Means told CBS News that Wiles and her "very close-knit crew"—including James Blair and Richard Walters, two White House deputy chiefs of staff; Walker Barrett, a policy adviser; and Tony Fabrizio, a pollster for Trump—"explicitly catered to special interests against the will of the voters."

Wiles left the administration on Friday after being removed as chief of staff. According to Means, her team prioritized fundraising from the sugar industry over advancing the MAHA agenda, which he says cost Republicans at the ballot box.

Key Figures Named by Means

• Susie Wiles – Former White House chief of staff, removed last week; accused of stalling MAHA agenda.
• James Blair – White House deputy chief of staff, part of Wiles's "close-knit crew."
• Richard Walters – White House deputy chief of staff, also named by Means.
• Walker Barrett – Policy adviser, accused of catering to special interests.
• Tony Fabrizio – Trump pollster, included in Means's criticism.

Why the Midterms Matter and What Happened

Republicans have been searching for someone to blame after massive losses in last week's midterm elections. Democrats, who had been poised to win the House and possibly the Senate, outperformed expectations—taking both chambers of Congress, a majority of governor offices, and flipping dozens of House seats.

Means attributes much of that loss to Wiles and her team, arguing that their focus on special interest money undermined the party's populist health message. The criticism comes as the MAHA movement, once a central plank of Trump's outreach to independent voters, appears to have lost momentum.

What This Means for the MAHA Agenda

The MAHA agenda aimed to reshape American health policy by targeting processed foods, chemical additives, and pharmaceutical influence. Means's accusations suggest that internal resistance—not external opposition—may have been the movement's biggest obstacle.

With Wiles out and Means publicly airing grievances, the future of MAHA within the Republican Party is uncertain. The episode highlights the tension between grassroots policy promises and the fundraising demands of modern political campaigns.

Comparison of Stated Goals vs. Alleged Actions

What to Watch Next

Means's public criticism could intensify internal Republican debates over the party's direction. With Democrats set to control both chambers of Congress, the MAHA agenda may face even steeper odds. Watch for further resignations or statements from other former officials who share Means's frustrations.

The sugar industry's role in the midterms is also likely to draw scrutiny, as Means's allegations raise questions about the influence of corporate money on health policy. Whether the Republican Party will address these concerns or double down on its fundraising strategy remains to be seen. The background to this story is set out in Business: latest articles.