Follow the Money: MAHA's Political Power Play in $1.5T Wellness Industry

Paul Riverbank, 10/22/2025 The Make America Healthy Again movement reveals a fascinating intersection of health advocacy and commercial interests, with notable figures positioned to profit from policy changes. As the wellness industry reaches $1.5 trillion globally, this development raises important questions about the complex relationship between public health initiatives and business opportunities in American healthcare reform.

The Complicated Dance of Health Policy and Profit

As a political commentator who's covered healthcare policy for over two decades, I'm struck by the fascinating evolution of the Make America Healthy Again movement. What began as a grassroots health advocacy initiative has morphed into something far more complex – a perfect case study in how policy, profit, and public health intersect in modern America.

Let's cut through the noise and look at what's actually happening here. At a recent California natural products expo, we saw movement leader Del Bigtree make a remarkable prediction about Republicans championing alternative health industries. But what caught my attention wasn't just his words – it was the setting. Picture this: a room full of industry representatives, their eyes lighting up at the mention of "promised land" opportunities in a $1.5 trillion global wellness market.

The numbers tell an interesting story. The supplement industry alone hit $69.3 billion in sales last year. That's not pocket change. But here's where it gets complicated: take the case of raw milk legislation in Delaware. Local dairy farmers are eyeing potential profits ten times higher than conventional milk production. One farmer called it a "$15.6 million economic opportunity." Yet this same sector has seen its share of safety concerns – just ask Mark McAfee, whose Raw Farm LLC has faced multiple recalls despite impressive growth from $8 million to $32 million in annual sales.

Follow the money, and you'll find a web of financial relationships that would make any investigative journalist's head spin. Bigtree's companies received substantial sums from both Kennedy's presidential campaign and the MAHA Alliance. His role at ICAN brought in another $234,000 in 2023. These aren't just random transactions – they represent a sophisticated network of business and advocacy interests.

Tony Lyons, managing MAHA Action and Kennedy's publishing house, defends their approach as "responsible" and research-based. Meanwhile, industry figures like Calley Means are actively encouraging businesses to engage with lawmakers, sensing what they call a "true moment" for influence.

Here's what fascinates me most: the movement's leaders often criticize Big Pharma's profit motives while operating within an equally lucrative wellness market. It's a paradox that deserves our attention. Are we watching a genuine shift in healthcare paradigms, or is this simply a different flavor of the same profit-driven approach to health policy?

From where I sit, this story isn't about right or wrong – it's about understanding the complex forces shaping American healthcare. As citizens and voters, we need to look beyond surface-level narratives and consider how various interests – both financial and ideological – influence the policies that affect our health choices.

The next few years will be crucial in determining whether this movement represents a meaningful reformation of healthcare policy or just a reshuffling of commercial interests. Either way, we'd do well to keep our eyes on both the policy proposals and the money trails behind them.

The Complicated Dance of Health Policy and ProfitAs a political commentator who's covered healthcare policy for over two decades, I'm struck by the fascinating evolution of the Make America Healthy Again movement. What began as a grassroots health advocacy initiative has morphed into something far more complex – a perfect case study in how policy, profit, and public health intersect in modern America.Let's cut through the noise and look at what's actually happening here. At a recent California natural products expo, we saw movement leader Del Bigtree make a remarkable prediction about Republicans championing alternative health industries. But what caught my attention wasn't just his words – it was the setting. Picture this: a room full of industry representatives, their eyes lighting up at the mention of "promised land" opportunities in a $1.5 trillion global wellness market.The numbers tell an interesting story. The supplement industry alone hit $69.3 billion in sales last year. That's not pocket change. But here's where it gets complicated: take the case of raw milk legislation in Delaware. Local dairy farmers are eyeing potential profits ten times higher than conventional milk production. One farmer called it a "$15.6 million economic opportunity." Yet this same sector has seen its share of safety concerns – just ask Mark McAfee, whose Raw Farm LLC has faced multiple recalls despite impressive growth from $8 million to $32 million in annual sales.Follow the money, and you'll find a web of financial relationships that would make any investigative journalist's head spin. Bigtree's companies received substantial sums from both Kennedy's presidential campaign and the MAHA Alliance. His role at ICAN brought in another $234,000 in 2023. These aren't just random transactions – they represent a sophisticated network of business and advocacy interests.Tony Lyons, managing MAHA Action and Kennedy's publishing house, defends their approach as "responsible" and research-based. Meanwhile, industry figures like Calley Means are actively encouraging businesses to engage with lawmakers, sensing what they call a "true moment" for influence.Here's what fascinates me most: the movement's leaders often criticize Big Pharma's profit motives while operating within an equally lucrative wellness market. It's a paradox that deserves our attention. Are we watching a genuine shift in healthcare paradigms, or is this simply a different flavor of the same profit-driven approach to health policy?From where I sit, this story isn't about right or wrong – it's about understanding the complex forces shaping American healthcare. As citizens and voters, we need to look beyond surface-level narratives and consider how various interests – both financial and ideological – influence the policies that affect our health choices.The next few years will be crucial in determining whether this movement represents a meaningful reformation of healthcare policy or just a reshuffling of commercial interests. Either way, we'd do well to keep our eyes on both the policy proposals and the money trails behind them.